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With an indefinite referent though (from you link: "a man", "a person", "every one"). Not with reference to specific definite person. "Jack got their jacket" do
by edflsafoiewq 7y ago
With an indefinite referent though (from you link: "a man", "a person", "every one"). Not with reference to specific definite person. "Jack got their jacket" does not usually parse as Jack getting his own jacket.
- munmaek 7y agoThe point is that it's not an unknown, made up word that came from nowhere. It has been used in the English language for hundreds of years. It's not confusing to use because one can infer from context.
- jfk13 7y agoIndeed, it has. But not universally; its use has primarily been limited to in certain contexts. To quote from the OED's definition of "they": "2. In anaphoric reference to a singular noun or pronoun of undetermined gender: he or she." OK, it certainly recognises a singular usage... "Especially in relation to a noun phrase involving one of the indefinite determiners or pronouns any, each, every, no, some, anybody, anyone, etc." Aha - so this usage is not (historically, at least) equally well established for all contexts. Indeed, the entry goes on to note that: "This use has sometimes been considered erroneous." So it's hardly surprising if some people feel a bit uncomfortable being told they should be embracing it more widely.
- Pfhreak 7y agoWhat? "Jack got their jacket before saying goodnight" scans totally reasonably to me as commonly used English? I suspect the degree to which this sounds fine is colloquial. But it's not that hard of a transition to make either. It might seem awkward for a bit, but it settles in pretty quickly.