Plural pronoun for a singular nound

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toedrika
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Plural pronoun for a singular nound

Post by toedrika »

Dear Professor,

I read in The Sun online newspaper:

"A child was said to have had their stomach pumped after drinking Prime at the weekend."

They used 'their' (plural pronoun) to refer to 'child' ( singular noun).

I think this is incorrect; they must use 'his or her'.
I appreciate your valuable comment.

Thanks and best regards،
Antoine Ghannoum
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Alan
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Re: Plural pronoun for a singular nound

Post by Alan »

Traditionally 'his or her' would indeed be correct.

However, the use of 'they/their' etc. instead is becoming increasingly common.
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