"They" is properly singular when the singular referent is of unknown or irrelevant gender?
> -----Original Message----- > From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List <IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU> On > Behalf Of Bob Bridges > Sent: Thursday, June 09, 2022 3:30 PM > To: IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU > Subject: Re: ] Re: "A Rexx" (or "A REXX") > > [EXTERNAL EMAIL] DO NOT CLICK links or attachments unless you recognize > the sender and know the content is safe. > > Pronouns, grammatically speaking, ~should~ agree with their referent, which > is why "they" (which is plural) is grammatically incorrect when used with > "every person" (which is singular). Calling a tail a leg doesn’t make it one. > > (Yeah, so I'm a die-hard - so sue me.) > > --- > Bob Bridges, robhbrid...@gmail.com, cell 336 382-7313 > > /* When one engine fails on a twin-engine airplane you always have enough > power left to get you to the scene of the crash. -Franky V on the POB forum, > posted 2004-09-10 */ > > -----Original Message----- > From: IBM Mainframe Discussion List <IBM-MAIN@LISTSERV.UA.EDU> On > Behalf Of Paul Gilmartin > Sent: Thursday, June 9, 2022 17:13 > > Pronouns agree in number with their antecedents, so not plural. > > --- On Thu, 9 Jun 2022 16:44:59 -0400, Bob Bridges wrote: > >Sure: "They". Is that what you meant? > > >-----Original Message----- > >From: Paul Gilmartin > >Sent: Thursday, June 9, 2022 16:10 > > > >Ok. Example: "Every person does what they wants to." > > > >Do you see anything plural there? > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------- > For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, > send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to lists...@listserv.ua.edu with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
