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What pronouns are used to refer to antecedents of common gender?
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
Until about 1970, the default pronoun to replace a common gender noun where the gender is unknown was masculine: he, him, his. This was thought to be unreasonable, mainly by feminists, and reasonably so.
A number of competing models have co-existed since then, for example"he/she," "s/he" (not widespread), "she/he," "him/her", or "her/him".
I can recall reading an article in about 1980 that the Oxford English Dictionary had accepted as standard "they/them/their/theirs" (using a generic plural pronoun to take the place of a singular common gender noun). That achieved widespread acceptance in the eighties and nineties, but the other variants have perhaps more recently regained some standing.
When the gender of the common gender noun is known (a male cat, a female male doctor, a male teacher, a female parent, etc.) use the appropriate gender specific pronoun.
Unfortunately, this answer is not clearly defined. Either use the form that you prefer or, if you are a student, whichever form your teacher requires.
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The unreformed version (the default "he, him, his"), mainly found among foreign learners of English. Here in Russia, my students have been taught it is correct and are wary of venturing away. Why all the fuss? Well, in English there is, among nouns, no real grammatical gender apart from physical gender. So, whereas in Russian, to refer to a cup as "she" or a glass as "he" is unremarkable - and there are female-only and male-only names for professions, in English, to speaker of a writer as "he" does tend to imply that we are talking about a male person. So, without calling myself a feminist, I agree that he/him/his has had its day. I go along with the OED finding.
Wiki User
∙ 7y ago
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Can a pronoun have a gender?
In some languages, like English, pronouns can have gender. For instance, pronouns like "he" and "she" are gendered. However, there are also gender-neutral pronouns, such as "they" or "ze," that can be used to refer to someone without specifying their gender. The use of gendered or gender-neutral pronouns can vary depending on individual preferences and cultural context.
How do personal pronouns have to agree with their antecedents?
Personal pronouns must agree with their antecedents in terms of gender, number, and person. For example, if the antecedent is singular and masculine, the pronoun used to refer to it should also be singular and masculine. Similarly, if the antecedent is plural, the pronoun should also be plural. The pronoun should also match the person the antecedent represents (I, you, he, she, it, we, or they).
What is he she her him when why tho'?
"He", "she", "her", and "him" are pronouns used to refer to people or things. They help to replace nouns in a sentence to avoid repetition. They are used to clarify the gender or role of the person or thing being referred to.
What are the 2 kinds of indefinite pronoun?
The two kinds of indefinite pronouns are indefinite pronouns that refer to people, such as "someone" or "anyone," and indefinite pronouns that refer to things, such as "something" or "anything."
What are the special kinds of pronouns?
Some special kinds of pronouns include reflexive pronouns (e.g. myself, yourself) which reflect back to the subject of the sentence, intensive pronouns (e.g. myself, himself) which emphasize the noun or pronoun they refer to, interrogative pronouns (e.g. who, what) which are used to ask questions, and demonstrative pronouns (e.g. this, that) which point out or refer to specific things.
Can a pronoun have a gender?
In some languages, like English, pronouns can have gender. For instance, pronouns like "he" and "she" are gendered. However, there are also gender-neutral pronouns, such as "they" or "ze," that can be used to refer to someone without specifying their gender. The use of gendered or gender-neutral pronouns can vary depending on individual preferences and cultural context.
Pronouns that refer to inanimate objects are in what gender?
neuter
What is reference chain in grammar?
In grammar, a reference chain refers to the connection between pronouns and the nouns they refer to in a sentence. It is important for maintaining clarity and coherence in writing by ensuring that pronouns have clear antecedents. An unclear or broken reference chain can result in confusion for the reader.
What are pronouns that refer primarily to people called?
Pronouns that refer mostly to people are called personal pronouns. Some personal pronouns include I, me, you, him, her, she, them, he, and they.
How do personal pronouns have to agree with their antecedents?
Personal pronouns must agree with their antecedents in terms of gender, number, and person. For example, if the antecedent is singular and masculine, the pronoun used to refer to it should also be singular and masculine. Similarly, if the antecedent is plural, the pronoun should also be plural. The pronoun should also match the person the antecedent represents (I, you, he, she, it, we, or they).
Demonstrative pronouns usually refer to objects rather than?
Demonstrative pronouns usually refer to objects rather than people.
Which two relative pronouns refer to things?
The two relative pronouns that refer to things are whichand that.The station which is closer to my work is at Main and Cross Streets.The car that hit the mailbox was the black one.
Demonstrative pronouns usually refer to the objects rather than what?
Demonstrative pronouns typically refer to objects or things, such as "this," "that," "these," and "those," to point out or identify them. They do not generally refer to people or concepts.
Which types of pronouns do NOT refer back to an obvious antecedent?
The indefinite pronouns do not have an obvious/definite antecedent that they refer back to.Indefinite pronouns are used in place of nouns for people, things, or amounts that are unknown or unnamed.
What are the 2 kinds of indefinite pronoun?
The two kinds of indefinite pronouns are indefinite pronouns that refer to people, such as "someone" or "anyone," and indefinite pronouns that refer to things, such as "something" or "anything."
What is the opposite gender of mouse?
Ram is male Ewe is female
What are the special kinds of pronouns?
Some special kinds of pronouns include reflexive pronouns (e.g. myself, yourself) which reflect back to the subject of the sentence, intensive pronouns (e.g. myself, himself) which emphasize the noun or pronoun they refer to, interrogative pronouns (e.g. who, what) which are used to ask questions, and demonstrative pronouns (e.g. this, that) which point out or refer to specific things.
