Pronoun Usage for Gender-Neutral Pronouns in English Writing

When writing in English, particularly in contexts where gender-neutrality is important, the choice of pronouns can be a delicate and often challenging issue. This article explores the implications of using gender-specific pronouns like his and her for singular nouns that do not specify gender. It also provides guidance on when to use their, they, and other alternatives to achieve a more inclusive and grammatically sound text.

Gender-Neutral Pronouns in English

English nouns, for the most part, do not have a specified gender, and there are no naturally gender-specific pronouns like those found in some languages. Therefore, it is common to use the singular pronoun its in contexts where no gender assignment is necessary. However, if a gender is implied, his and her can be used.

Why Can't His and Her Be Interchanged?

In many situations, his and her cannot be used interchangeably. The distinctions lie in the nature of these pronouns:

His is both a possessive adjective and a pronoun. Her is only a possessive adjective.

This distinction is important for maintaining grammatical consistency in a sentence. For instance:

John gave his book to Mary.

Here, his is a possessive adjective indicating that John possesses the book. In contrast:

John gave her book to Mary.

Here, her is a possessive adjective, but the sentence is grammatically incorrect as her cannot stand alone as a pronoun to refer to the book. A correct version would be:

John gave [the] book to Mary.

Gender-Neutral Recommendations

Given the complexities of gender-neutral pronouns, there is no single perfect solution. However, some recommendations can help navigate this challenge:

1. Use they and their

For many, especially in countries like India where he is traditionally taught as the default gender-neutral pronoun, using they and their can be a safe choice. Nevertheless, in English-speaking countries that prioritize gender-neutrality, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, they and their might be more acceptable, despite not conforming to traditional grammar rules.

2. Provide singular they

In the case of a sentence like:

Four people saw the accident but not one said... he would be a witness for me in court.

Using singular they can help avoid gendered language:

Four people saw the accident but not one offered to be a witness for me in court.

This approach avoids the potential sexism of using he when the gender is unknown or when the writer is uncertain of the subject's gender, which is generally considered unacceptable since the 1980s.

3. Recasting the Sentence

When recasting the sentence, not only does it help maintain a gender-neutral tone but it often also improves the overall clarity and strength of the writing. For example:

Four people saw the accident but not one offered to be a witness for me in court.

This revised sentence not only achieves a gender-neutral tone but also uses a more compelling verb, enhancing the overall impact of the sentence.

Conclusion

The decision on which pronoun to use in the context of gender-neutral writing is not an easy one. There is no clear win in this debate. Instead, the goal should be to find a solution that is acceptable to your audience and that promotes inclusivity without sacrificing grammatical correctness. As evolving standards and more style guides provide guidance, it is essential to stay informed and adapt accordingly.

For further reading and more detailed insights into the linguistic and cultural implications of using gender-neutral pronouns, consider consulting the most recent style guides or linguistic resources. As the debate continues, making informed choices can contribute to a more inclusive and grammatically sound writing practice.