Grammar Police Notice
“I will never not call an employee by their name” said Amy on the Carlos and Amy Show this morning (HOPE 100 on 29 Feb., 2024, cir. 9:15 a.m.).
It is a common grammatical error to reference a person (employee, in this case) – singular – with the plural pronoun, “they.”
Somehow “they” – the plural pronoun – seems to be more inclusive of both sexes, than “he” – the singular pronoun – even when referring to a (singular) person.
“Sensitive folks” just don’t like to use the generic “he” – that singular pronoun which may be used to reference any person. Rather than offend someone who might feel excluded by his own errant assumption that the masculine, non generic use of “he,” is intended, sensitive folks use the grammatically incorrect plural, “they.”
We who commit this error are too deferential to grammar-degrading, sex-sensitive folks. Stick with the rules of language and grammar. Accurate communication is preferred to cajoling slang.
29 Feb., 2024
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