Can I use these questions for my English exams on Monday? These sentences are actually great examples of pronoun mismatches. Many students in my College English class (and, apparently, in every day life...;)) make these mistakes. People often write as they speak.
Seriously, the correct pronoun choice in both of the above questions would be "he or she." One does not know the gender of the singular student, and he or she is gender inclusive, which is correct Standard American English. "They" would be used for multiple students.
I'm trying not to correct people about any of these things these days, since I think that this is an area where the language is getting a bit squishy around the edges and will probably experience a change someday soon.
The preferred use of the singular 'they' seems particularly strong, which I think is a little odd, but hey. The language goes where the speakers will it to go, right?
You asked, "The preferred use of the singular 'they' seems particularly strong, which I think is a little odd, but hey. The language goes where the speakers will it to go, right?"
*chuckles* I would be inclined most times to tell you yes, that is right...people tend to use what they hear...that does not make it necessarily RIGHT, however. I am old-fashioned, and using they is simply not correct English, no matter how commonplace or popular it has become. As an English instructor, I am inclined to correct language when it is misspoken or miswritten; that has become my habit. ;)
Language shifts with time and place. Unfortunately, much of what is spoken today as slang is entering the mainstream, and even entering our dictionaries. Language metmorphoses with time, technology, and constant use. ;) Who knows; in 50 years, 'they' might be taught as correct, even though it goes against the rules of subject/pronoun agreement. We shall see!
Thanks for the brain-teasing post; this really allowed me to get my English geek on...;)
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branchandroot
Correct English...pronoun mismatches
Date: 2006-01-14 05:47 am (UTC)Can I use these questions for my English exams on Monday? These sentences are actually great examples of pronoun mismatches. Many students in my College English class (and, apparently, in every day life...;)) make these mistakes. People often write as they speak.
Seriously, the correct pronoun choice in both of the above questions would be "he or she." One does not know the gender of the singular student, and he or she is gender inclusive, which is correct Standard American English. "They" would be used for multiple students.
Blessings!
Re: Correct English...pronoun mismatches
Date: 2006-01-15 01:01 am (UTC)I'm trying not to correct people about any of these things these days, since I think that this is an area where the language is getting a bit squishy around the edges and will probably experience a change someday soon.
The preferred use of the singular 'they' seems particularly strong, which I think is a little odd, but hey. The language goes where the speakers will it to go, right?
Re: Correct English...pronoun mismatches
Date: 2006-01-15 12:36 pm (UTC)*chuckles* I would be inclined most times to tell you yes, that is right...people tend to use what they hear...that does not make it necessarily RIGHT, however. I am old-fashioned, and using they is simply not correct English, no matter how commonplace or popular it has become. As an English instructor, I am inclined to correct language when it is misspoken or miswritten; that has become my habit. ;)
Language shifts with time and place. Unfortunately, much of what is spoken today as slang is entering the mainstream, and even entering our dictionaries. Language metmorphoses with time, technology, and constant use. ;) Who knows; in 50 years, 'they' might be taught as correct, even though it goes against the rules of subject/pronoun agreement. We shall see!
Thanks for the brain-teasing post; this really allowed me to get my English geek on...;)