When we say 'em' cant that be gender neutral?

Question

Instead of saying him/her or he/she. Cant we all agree just to say or write 'em.

Answer 1

No need to use the colloquial (even slang?) 'em'. "Them" will work just fine.

Since the 1300s (Middle English) many authors have used a generic "their" and "them" to serve as a generic singular pronoun. This is just about the same age as the generic use of the masculine.

Some grammarians fuss at this as inaccurate and a recent corruption, but the dates show that it is not a new thing, and numerous examples from the finest authors through the past 6+ centuries prove it is hardly ignorant.

For the history, a list of such authors and many examples (esp. from Jane Austen, about whom the page was written), as well as material from the Oxford English Dictionary, see the sections of the article "Jane Austen and other famous authors violate what everyone learned in their English class" beginning with:
http://www.crossmyt.com/hc/linghebr/austheir.html#X1a

The only real objection one might have is that it might be ambiguous whether a singular or plural is in view. But usually, when that matters there need by no ambiguity if the sentence is properly constructed. (And note that in other cases, the singular doesn't even matter. Many general statements make exactly the same point whether the pronoun is singular are plural.)

Answer 2

"They" or "them" are non-gender specific pronouns. In short, yes, they can be used. For example, "the subject had their pulse taken" is perfectly acceptable - and in many cases preferable - to "the subject had his pulse taken".

Not so sure about "'em," though - that sounds and reads sloppily, and wouldn't be suitable for formal writing.

Answer 3

'em is slang for them. Unless you are talking about more than one person this is not correct. Also you should never use slang in formal writing.

Answer 4

I think so! But unfortunately English teachers don't like it ...

Answer 5

Say ya'll, it's the all purpose pronoun.