When using a pronoun for a uni-sex noun....?

Question

What shuold you do? Can i just put "he"?

Answer 1

SUMMARY: "he" is fine, used with care; "they" is often a good option (and much underused); "you" may be a very workable substitute
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What you're asking about is usually called a "generic" pronoun -- one that refers to an INDIVIDUAL person, but does not specify that person's gender.

(Several have started talking about THINGS, like "trees", which take the pronoun "it", or "its" for the possessive. But I'm sure that's NOT what you have in mind. For what it's worth, the pronouns in these cases are referred to as "NEUTER".. that is, having NO gender... at least, not usually! [see note at end].)

There are basically FIVE pronoun options, though I find two of them far inferior. I'll list those first

1) Use BOTH -- say "he/she" OR "he or she". There are a FEW situations where this may be a good idea for a particular audience. But for GENERAL use it is extremely awkward. And to be precise these pronouns are NOT used generically, but combined to "cover both bases".

(Even worse, in my book, is an arbitrary back and forth -- unpredictably using "he" in one sentence of paragraph, "she" in the next. "She" has NEVER been a usable generic pronoun, and shows no signs of becoming one. So don't confuse your audience, or try to make a "statement". The point is to COMMUNICATE clearly, and to avoid awkward expressions. As you can see from what follows, there are several OTHER options for you to choose from.)

2) The word "one". This may occasionally work, but in many cases is regarded as awkward or stuffy, ESPECIALLY if you end up having to use more than one such pronoun in the same sentence. The same is true for the use of generic NOUNS, e.g., "A person should know a person's own mind" (That's actually even WORSE than "One should know one's own mind", though I do not recommend the latter either.)

3) "You" -- this cannot be used in ALL instances, but there are many cases that this works very well for making a general statement. ("You never know who will show up!" Much better than "One never). Observe that in THIS use the speaker's use of "you" does not specify the people being spoken to, as it most often does.

(Incidentally, another way you(!) can sometimes simply AVOID generic pronouns altogether is to use a PASSIVE form, since you do not need to supply a subject for these. That's what I just did in writing "the people being spoken to", rather than "the people YOU are speaking to". But be very careful here. Passives should be used very sparingly in English.)

4) "He" (with "him" and "his") has been used as a generic pronoun for many centuries. The problem it MAY suffer is that it may SEEM to imply that it is only referring to males. So you should take this into account, and consider rephrasing the sentence if that sort of confusion seems likely. Note that a very usable use of the word, which should not be confusing, is in the sentence discussed above -- "A person should know HIS own mind" or "One should know his own mind."

5) "They" ("them", "their") -- this is often VERY useful, though for some odd reason many grammarians have gotten the silly idea that it is not acceptable, because it's PLURAL and that is incorrect when referring to an INDIVIDUAL. But this is no more unusual than using the MASCULINE forms ("he"...) in a situation that is NOT supposed to be gender-specific! And this use need cause no more confusion than generic "he", esp. if you are careful. Using the above example once more -- "A person should know THEIR own mind." is perfectly clear.

Another "plus" is that this may avoid the offense some take who object to ANY generic use of "he" as "sexist".

NOTE (for those who think this form illiterate or some odd 'modern' corruption) -- this solution has been in use since the 1300s (Middle English). Thus it is just about the same age as the generic use of "he" ! Further, there are many examples of its use by the finest English writers all through the past 6+ centuries, so it's hardly ignorant or illiterate!

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

In other words, the idea that this use is "traditionally incorrect" is pure bunkum!

While I'm discussing "their", consider also the possibility that the point you wish to make is NOT dependent on the pronoun being singular. Many blanket statements can simply use the PLURAL form of "they" or "you", and thus avoid ANY issues of gender OR number (singular vs plural).


I recommend you use ALL of these --but especially the generic "he" and "they", and yes, "you"-- according to the situation.

NOTE on the "neuter" forms it (its) -- I'm aware of ONE use of this form to refer to a PERSON (rather than a thing), viz., references to babies or children. " Do you think it may be hungry?" This use, however, is not international. You'll hear it in British circles, only rarely in America. In any case, it will do VERY little to help you in most cases where you need a reference that doesn't specify gender. (It CAN, though, be very helpful for avoiding the embarrassment caused by mis-identifying the gender of some little tyke when addressing his/its proud mother!)

Answer 2

If you are having difficulty discerning the gender, or you don't want to have to make an erroneous choice there are a few other options. The first one is to use the word "person" ie. this person is, that person.....or you could use "one" ie. One doesn't know what will happen....however, the second choice is somewhat formal and stilted. The third choice is to use [he/she] [she/he], (a politically correct move, depending on the gender of the target reader) The fourth option is to use the "profession" or state of being of the individual in question, ie. the student, the teacher, the doctor.....you get the idea.

Answer 3

A unisex noun? If you're making a reference to a person or person's of whose sex is undetermined, traditionally, "he" is used. Also one may use "she" if it is suspected that the subject is most likely to be or dominantly female.

To balance pronoun usage, "he" and "she" can be used on an alternating or similar basis. Another pseudo pronoun is "one." When gender ambiguity is sought, the traditionally incorrect "they" has become popular.

Answer 4

It would help if you were to give (that's the subjunctive, btw) an example of what you have in mind, but I think 'they', their' etc would usually fit the bill.

Normal usage: A customer of a uni-sex hair salon would expect that THEY would be given attention without gender bias.

A boy or girl visiting Santa might not find their present was very appropriate. Season's Greetings, anyway, ho-ho. <8{>

Answer 5

Usually "it" is correct, but if it is something being personified or if it is something which carries gender or often is referred to as if it were female or male, use he or she whichever fits. for instance Lady Luck on 2nd reference would be she, Justice Liberty, when capitalized are referring to a personified qualities usually represented as feminine. Some countries refer to the homeland as Fatherland, others as motherland: its Mother Russia; Germany is the fatherland, France is a she, etc. So second reference would follow that gender.
Ships are considered feminine.
Female of animals would be she, and males would be he: the doe...she; the bull... he.

Answer 6

You either put he, it (if appropriate), or "he or she" if you want to sound politically correct. He is perfectly acceptable, though.

Answer 7

You mean for like a tree?

You use "it" for things that have no gender.

The tree has no leaves. It is dead.