Singular They/Their

[Confucius]

So my English teacher took points off on a rough draft of my essay because I used They and Their singularly, rather than using he or she. It was to my understanding that this was perfectly acceptable in the English language, as many great authors through out history have used it in the same way. The dictionary also states that it can be used in both plural and singular context, so I am confused as to why some regard this as bad grammar.

I have made a poll so you can vote and help me decide if it is okay to use their in singular context or if I should use he or she instead.

[sunshoes]

I had an English teacher that wrote the same thing on an essay of mine. To me, they/their is the proper singular article if the sex is unknown.

In pre-modern writing the he/his was typically used for unknown sex, and still is in many languages such as French, but this would now be considered archaic in modern or contemporary English (plus it wouldn't be considered "politically correct").

[imdasandman]

So my English teacher took points off on a rough draft of my essay because I used They and Their singularly, rather than using he or she. It was to my understanding that this was perfectly acceptable in the English language, as many great authors through out history have used it in the same way. The dictionary also states that it can be used in both plural and singular context, so I am confused as to why some regard this as bad grammar.

I have made a poll so you can vote and help me decide if it is okay to use their in singular context or if I should use he or she instead.

Bring it up to your Dean/department chairman in the English dept. For your instructor being incompetent and have her decision reversed

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[WizardTrokair]

Sir Zepanda,

What was the singular subject that the "they" referred to? I'd like to see the sentence from the essay before I cast my precious vote.

Sincerely,

The Wizard