play video his or her
Usage Notes

Is singular 'they' a better choice?

The awkward case of 'his or her'


"Everyone should do his or her best in whatever situations he or she happens to find himself or herself in?" That's awkward. Perhaps everyone should just do their best in the situations they find themselves in. Even if their best involves they as a singular pronoun.

Up next

play video his or her
Is singular 'they' a better choice?

 

The awkward case of 'his or her'

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When Body Parts Are Also Verbs

 

Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes

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Webster's Dictionary of 1864

 

The landmark edition that transformed the way dictionaries are made.

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Hot Mess

 

Our research turned up two archaic literal meanings

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Who vs. Whom

 

Good news for those who feel stuffy saying 'whom.'

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Alright vs. All Right

 

Is 'alright' all right?

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Ending a Sentence with a Preposition

 

An old-fashioned rule we can no longer put up with.