Instead Of Saying Him Or Her

[Professor Kirby 0]

Themselves. Dictionary dot com defines themselves as:

 

Those ones identical with them:

Used reflexively as the direct or indirect object of a verb or as the object of a preposition: prepared themselves for the trip; gave themselves plenty of time; were left to themselves.

Used for emphasis: The cooks themselves eat after all the guests have finished.

Used in an absolute construction: Newcomers themselves, they knew few people at the party.

Their normal or healthy condition: The members of the crew were themselves again after the crisis passed.

If you're talking about someone and you don't know their gender, don't refer them to him or herself. That's only if you know whom you're talking about. Instead, use themselves. That also goes if you're talking about a group of people.

 

The usage of him or her is one of the most common misconception in this society. In school, the teachers don't even bother to fine-tune, mainly because they don't know themselves or won't even bother taking the time to try. Sadly, this is also the reason most people can't use the pencil effectively.

 

Sometimes, people tell you to assume who your talking about is a man, using "him." Here's an example from my Biology teacher:

 

So if the Kangaroo is hungry, *he's* going to hop over and find something to eat.

I know you should assume who your talking about as a "he" in some language ~ that is particularily true in French. However, even if you're are going to sound funny:

 

So if the Kangaroo is hungry, they are going to hop over and find something to eat.

...at least you'll be correct.

[BuffaloHelp 24]

I was told that it is customary in United States to refer to as "she" if you do not know the gender or speak kindly of inanimate object. For example, you pet your neighbor's dog and ask, "how old is she?" even though you do not know the right gender. And the other person will either correct you or reply without a hitch. United Kingdom is so used to saying, "god save the Queen" that calling anything precious "she" wouldn?t be much of a problem. A Nation is also preferred to be called as "Her."The same goes for calling a car or a ship (there are others but these will do for now). Bill buys a new car and Jack comes over and complements Bill. Bill replies with, "isn't she a beauty?" Captain Ahab looks to the horizon and finds Moby D. He shouts, "tharrr... she blows!" US Navy always referred the naval ships as "she."I don't know why but perhaps it's men's point of view in beauty that shaped the language. And perhaps it's man's inclination to call everything else as "he" in reflection of oneself...making it known the egotistical character of male dominance.

[beeseven 0]

Sorry but you're wrong. Look at this sentence that you claim is correct:

So if the Kangaroo is hungry, they are going to hop over and find something to eat.

The verb "is" is singular. "They" is a plural pronoun. "Is" doesn't agree with "they," so the sentence should be worded as follows:

So if the Kangaroo is hungry, he or she is going to hop over and find something to eat.