Grammatically incorrect!
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With the key word being their. It should be his/her.
I recently recieved a email message saying that a user has subscribed to me...
"Congratulations!
Member (xxxx) has subscribed to you! Visit their member page here: (link)"
With the key word being their. It should be his/her.
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The non-gender-specific usage of their is correct in this instance.
With the number of grammar-Nazis that frequent this site, the administrators hardly dare be anything other than sticklers for accuracy ;-)
With the number of grammar-Nazis that frequent this site, the administrators hardly dare be anything other than sticklers for accuracy ;-)
Mar 16, 2009. 2:50 PMPadlock (author)
says:
You are correct in the fact that their is not gender specific. It also refers to more than one person, or which there is only one. That means the correct expression would be he/she
Sorry, "their" is correct. Check with your English teacher if you want.
Mar 16, 2009. 5:36 PMPadlock (author)
says:
I have... She's the one who brought up the entire issue (at school) of using their and her/his. Which is why I spotted it.
Please tell your teacher of English that a teacher who is English says that she has made a mistake - the use of the "his/her" duality is made when offering a choice wherein the gender of the subject is, ultimately, contextually significant and known.
Generally, "his/her" is used when filling in forms, but "their" is used when speaking about an individual whose gender is unknown.
Generally, "his/her" is used when filling in forms, but "their" is used when speaking about an individual whose gender is unknown.
Mar 20, 2009. 2:31 PMPadlock (author)
says:
I disagree. Regardless of "filling in forms" or speech, one should always follow the general rule of agreement in number AND gender. Besides, if nothing else, following correct grammar.
"Their" is usually considered plural neuter, but can also be used as singular neuter. That's correct grammar.
If your teacher of English isn't aware of that, ask them* why.
*Oh, look, a normally-plural pronoun beimg used in the singular!
If your teacher of English isn't aware of that, ask them* why.
*Oh, look, a normally-plural pronoun beimg used in the singular!
Mar 16, 2009. 6:23 PMChicken2209
says:
forget no child left behind we need something for these teachers :0 ! their can be singular and plural
Mar 16, 2009. 5:32 PMLabot2001
says:
Check with your English teacher if you want.
Or with your American teacher, to be politically correct!
Or with your American teacher, to be politically correct!
Or, your teacher of American English, to be pedantically correct.
*chuckle* which side of the fence has the greener hay, again?
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