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> "My child told me they wanted this toy" is quite jarring in comparison. Seems perfectly normal to me. I would use this form if not naming my child, usually s
by phillc73 5y ago
> "My child told me they wanted this toy" is quite jarring in comparison.
Seems perfectly normal to me. I would use this form if not naming my child, usually speaking to people who didn't know me, my child or my personal life very well.
However, if the child is named, then "they" would be odd. E.g. "David told me they wanted this toy" versus "David told me he wanted this toy."
- maratc 5y ago> I would use this form if not naming my child, usually speaking to people who didn't know me, my child or my personal life very well. There's a potential for ambiguity: we aren't sure "they" is a reference to the child. "Early in the morning some people with toys passed by the house. My child told me they wanted this toy."
- Liquid_Fire 5y agoSame ambiguity exists with he/she. Perfectly unambiguous language is rarely practically achievable. "Early in the morning, a man with toys passed by the house. My child told me he wanted this toy."