He/She... or the One?

[Forsher]

This is why I refer to everyone as she by default.


No, "they" is not acceptable. Come up with an explicitly singular pronoun.

There is one: "it".

But somebody decided that calling people "it" is rude, and frankly that's not my problem.

Babies get called it quite happily. Well, people call babies it, quite happily.

[The Two Jerseys]

There is one: "it".

But somebody decided that calling people "it" is rude, and frankly that's not my problem.

Babies get called it quite happily. Well, people call babies it, quite happily.

Now that you mention it, it does occur to me that I always hear people refer to unborn babies as "it".

[Forsher]

Babies get called it quite happily. Well, people call babies it, quite happily.

Now that you mention it, it does occur to me that I always hear people refer to unborn babies as "it".

Regardless of one's position on the baby versus foetus debate, (born) babies get called it, too.

[Coalition of Minor Planets]

Definitely they. The criticism that many people don't use it that way or are confused by it is even stronger when applied to any other word.

The choice of distinguishing solely between singular and plural is somewhat arbitrary anyway. Consider the difference between 1 and 2 vs the difference between 2 and 2,000,000,000.

[The Two Jerseys]

Now that you mention it, it does occur to me that I always hear people refer to unborn babies as "it".

Regardless of one's position on the baby versus foetus debate, (born) babies get called it, too.

Can't say that I really hear babies referred to as "it" after they're born, aside from saying "it's a boy/girl".

But whenever I hear someone ask a pregnant woman about her due date, her response is almost always "it's due in X weeks".

[Cilef]

Anyone who objects to the singular they can get the fuck out of my English language.

This. Using they as a singular gender-neutral pronoun goes back to the 16th Century. And in ultra-formal circumstances there's "one".

[Conscentia]

You're projecting.
Why are you making unjustified assumptions about this one's position?
As you have been doing towards my position?

This one hasn't assumed anything about your position.

[Infected Mushroom]

This is why I refer to everyone as she by default.


No, "they" is not acceptable. Come up with an explicitly singular pronoun.

There is one: "it".

But somebody decided that calling people "it" is rude, and frankly that's not my problem.

widespread use of the phrase ''it'' to describe people will lead to incidental dehumanisation; its not acceptable

[The Two Jerseys]

There is one: "it".

But somebody decided that calling people "it" is rude, and frankly that's not my problem.

widespread use of the phrase ''it'' to describe people will lead to incidental dehumanisation; its not acceptable

A third person singular pronoun exists.

That people consider it "dehumanizing" and therefore "unacceptable" isn't my problem, it's theirs.

[Infected Mushroom]

widespread use of the phrase ''it'' to describe people will lead to incidental dehumanisation; its not acceptable

A third person singular pronoun exists.

That people consider it "dehumanizing" and therefore "unacceptable" isn't my problem, it's theirs.

No its everyone's problem

[Ifreann]

A third person singular pronoun exists.

That people consider it "dehumanizing" and therefore "unacceptable" isn't my problem, it's theirs.

No its everyone's problem

That's why we need to establish a Language Police.

[The Two Jerseys]

A third person singular pronoun exists.

That people consider it "dehumanizing" and therefore "unacceptable" isn't my problem, it's theirs.

No its everyone's problem

Why should we make up another third person singular pronoun when the English language already has one?

[Coalition of Minor Planets]

No its everyone's problem

Why should we make up another third person singular pronoun when the English language already has one?

Agreed! So they it is

[Greater Mackonia]

Pretty sure using "one" as a pronoun just makes you sound pretentious.

How?

[Giovenith]

The word is "they." As much as self-professed Grammar Nazis would like to argue against it, the fact is that's what the common language uses.

[Italios]

The word is "they." As much as self-professed Grammar Nazis would like to argue against it, the fact is that's what the common language uses.

A true grammar nazi would know they is the best option.

[Ifreann]

No its everyone's problem

Why should we make up another third person singular pronoun when the English language already has one?

Why should we change how we use "it" when we have "they"? Do you want us to change the English language just to suit your feelings? Because if we're going to do that then we may as well go all the way and invent a brand new language and force everyone to use it.

[The Two Jerseys]

Why should we make up another third person singular pronoun when the English language already has one?

Agreed! So they it is

Technically "it" is the correct third person singular pronoun.

The use of "they" as a third person singular pronoun is irregular, but accepted.

So since we already have two third person singular pronouns to choose from, why the hell do we need to make another one up?

[The Two Jerseys]

Why should we make up another third person singular pronoun when the English language already has one?

Why should we change how we use "it" when we have "they"? Do you want us to change the English language just to suit your feelings? Because if we're going to do that then we may as well go all the way and invent a brand new language and force everyone to use it.

Why should we make up a new third person singular pronoun when we have "they"? Do you want us to change the English language just to suit your feelings? Because if we're going to do that then we may as well go all the way and invent a brand new language and force everyone to use it.

[Lancaster of Wessex]

How do some people sleep at night knowing that society will never conform to their ultrasensitive needs?!

[Crockerland]

Yes, let's awkwardly try to get everyone to use a new word to avoid discriminating against Intersex people, who are less than 1% of the world's population.

[Lancaster of Wessex]

Yes, let's awkwardly try to get everyone to use a new word to avoid discriminating against Intersex people, who are less than 1% of the world's population.

Didn't you know we must aim for a world where it's impossible for anyone to be offended about ANYTHING.

[The Two Jerseys]

How do some people sleep at night knowing that society will never conform to their ultrasensitive needs?!

Do mushrooms even sleep?

[Sun Lands]

The One? That's one of the first Jet Li films I've seen. That is all.

[Lancaster of Wessex]

How do some people sleep at night knowing that society will never conform to their ultrasensitive needs?!

Do mushrooms even sleep?

Infected ones likely do not.