this post was submitted on 23 Oct 2024
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Why isn't it just common practice to just use "they" instead the entirely cumbersome "he/her"?
Like it's just so much easier to type out and say, and it's just better to use regardless.
The fun part is that you'll have people complaining about it either way!
Yea, but the people who complain about "they" are assholes so we can safely ignore them.
I am offended by your use of 'people', that excludes folk and kin!
Rawr!
You were not appreciated in your time.
Not only is it more readable and aesthetically-pleasing, singular "they" is more inclusive of people outside the gender binary!
Love how the top comment doesn't even answer the question. But TIL, I guess. If I had known this option existed, I probably would have used it. I'm going to play the "not a native english speaker"-card on this one.
Because "they" refers to multiple people?
It doesn't though. They has been used for singular without knowing the gender for a long time.
Like at least since English has been a language.
Singular "they" actually predates singular "you".
My friend forgot their umbrella at the office.
They nervously answered the phone.
They're a lazy motherfucker.
I gave my friend a hug and wished them a speedy recovery.
Any of those sound unusual, or like they're referring to more than one person?
I was taught this very aggressively in school, but it turns out that itβs just not true and thereβs a long history of singular they.