• Zahille7@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    61
    arrow-down
    7
    ·
    edit-2
    29 days ago

    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.

    • Tyoda@lemm.ee
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      33
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      29 days ago

      The fun part is that you’ll have people complaining about it either way!

    • Evkob@lemmy.ca
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      14
      ·
      29 days ago

      Not only is it more readable and aesthetically-pleasing, singular “they” is more inclusive of people outside the gender binary!

    • faultypidgeonOP
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      7
      arrow-down
      1
      ·
      28 days ago

      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.

      • Alinor@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        37
        ·
        29 days ago

        It doesn’t though. They has been used for singular without knowing the gender for a long time.

      • Fondots@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        19
        ·
        29 days ago

        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?

      • henfredemars@infosec.pub
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        28 days ago

        I was taught this very aggressively in school, but it turns out that it’s just not true and there’s a long history of singular they.