3 ms·

Probably for the same reason you use 'it' when it's quite obvious he's a 'he', it's a more convenient and more colloquial way of phrasing something. *EDIT: for

Probably for the same reason you use 'it' when it's quite obvious he's a 'he', it's a more convenient and more colloquial way of phrasing something. *EDIT: for tone & clarity

kevingadd 13y ago
Not sure what you mean, referring to a person as 'it' is almost universally offensive, at least in the US.
- mcv 13y ago
  Even when referring to a child of unknown gender? Or a fetus? In Dutch, those are acceptable uses for it (or actually "het").