What's New at Writing911

We hope you like our new look and find the site easier to use.  If you can't find a favorite page from the old version, please use the search box or the menus below.
 
Home arrow Good Writing Tips arrow Can I Use "Their" Instead of "His" or "Her"? Wednesday, 19 November 2008
 
Main Menu
Home
About Us
Your Shopping Cart
All Tip Sheets
All E-Courses
Our Consulting Services
Good Writing Tips
How to Write . . .
For Nonprofits Only
Contact Form
More Information
 
Can I Use "Their" Instead of "His" or "Her"? PDF Print E-mail



Pronouns like he, she, it, we, they, and you stand in for nouns and must therefore match the nouns they are replacing. If the noun is singular, the pronoun must be too.

Wrong: Everyone needs to grab their own gear.
(Everyone is singular; their is plural.)

Right: Everyone needs to grab his or her own gear.

You can use he as a generic substitute for he or she, but many consider that sexist. We recommend that you alternate between his and her throughout your document to avoid writing his or her every time. If that doesn't work for you, simply rewrite the sentence so you don't need to make the choice. The sample sentence could be rewritten as You need to grab your own gear. Changing the subject to a plural also works: Team members need to grab their own gear.

 

Want More?

Writing911's Grammar & Writing Tip Sheets

Writing911's "Writing for the Real World" E-Courses

 

 

 

 
Search Writing911
Free E-Newsletter
Get Free Writing Tips Monthly!

Your First and Last Name:

Email:


Polls
What best describes the length of your first drafts?
 
More Information