Writing and Punctuation / Academic Style / Avoiding he she(1)

A voiding ‘he / she’ – some strategies to help

English does not have a neutral third person form.

Using ‘he’ is sexist language, using ‘he / she’ is clumsy and awkward.

• Is it necessary?

Managers need to be aware that everyone has his or her strengths or weaknesses

• Make it plural

x A therapist who is too much like his client can lose his objectivity

√ Therapists who are too much like their clients can lose their objectivity

• Replace ‘he/she’ with ‘the’

x A researcher must apply for his grant by September 1

√ A researcher must apply for the grant by September 1

• Use the passive

x The manager should report back on his observations

√ Observations should be reported back by the manager

• Repeat the subject or replace it with ‘the individual’ / ‘that person’

x When a client conducts this kind of self-appraisal, he is much stronger

√ When a client conducts this kind of self-appraisal, the client / the individual / that person is much stronger

• Change the sentence completely!

x When an individual conducts this kind of self-appraisal, he is much stronger

√ This kind of self appraisal makes an individual stronger

Now try and rewrite these sentences without using ‘he/she’

1. If the accused lacks the means to secure legal representation for himself, he will almost inevitably be brought to face a trial process for which he will be insufficiently prepared and which he will be unable to cope with.

2. The first issue in the case is to ask whether an employer owes a duty of care to his or her employees with respect to the criminal attack by a third party.

3. If a customer complains, then his complaint should be taken seriously and he should be contacted immediately.

4. A manager should always take reasonable care to avoid acts or omissions which he or she reasonably foresees to be likely to injure employees.

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Possible Answers

1. If the accused lacks the means to secure legal representation for himself, the accused will almost inevitably be brought to face a trial process for which the individual will be insufficiently prepared and which he will be unable to cope with.

2. The first issue in the case is to ask whether employers owe a duty of care to their employees with respect to the criminal attack by a third party.

5. If a customer complains, then the complaint should be taken seriously and the customer should be contacted immediately.

3. A company should always take reasonable care to avoid acts or omissions which can be reasonably foreseen to be likely to injure employees.