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I know there are different opinions on this issue. My question: Is using "he" for a general, gender-neutral third person still in common use for formal writing? By common use I mean, can I expect my paper not to be penalised because I use "he" as pronoun for "a student", etc.?

I think "he/she" is too clumsy and I am not comfortable with singular they.

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Possible duplicate of this question – Philoto Jun 19 '11 at 9:28
This question deals specifically with the acceptability of "he". Those questions deal with "they", "she", or gender neutral pronoun in general. – Iti Jun 19 '11 at 9:52
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@Alenanno: I have read the answers to those other questions, and I couldn't find any answer about the acceptability of he/his in formal writing. So this question isn't a duplicate. If I missed it, please quote. – Cerberus Jun 19 '11 at 12:20
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I now always use they without worrying. It's been in use for centuries, and it sounds perfectly acceptable to native speakers (British English). Anyone who objects is so formal as to be antediluvian, IMHO. – user11900 Aug 12 '11 at 3:44
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3 Answers

up vote 5 down vote

Its correctness, as with any language usage, will depend on your audience. In England, in most formal writing, using "he" in this context would communicate that you were either unaware of contemporary good usage, or deliberately flouting it.

[Edit, prompted by the OP:] For example, from the Transport for London editorial style guide (a major municipal highways authority & public transport operator with a multi-billion pound (dollar/euro) turnover:

Avoid giving offence by using outdated or patronising terms and include references to gender only when it is essential. Using the plural can be helpful: customers; local people; employees

(my emphasis)

[Edit 2] Similarly, from the Training and Development Agency for Schools style guide:

they, he/she

Use they in preference to he/she: if the candidate passes the test, they should... If possible, try to avoid using gender specific pronouns, e.g. candidates who pass the test should…

(emphasis in the original)

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Can you cite any reputable source/guidelines saying that it's not recommended? – Iti Jun 19 '11 at 14:40
up vote 3 down vote

It's still considered acceptable. If you really want to cover your bases, include a definition at the front that reference to one gender imports all other genders, unless the context requires otherwise, and explain that you'll be using "he" for the sake of simplicity.

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+1 It is still de rigueur in traditional writing. The politically correct will always find something to unleash their prescriptive pedantry on; but any sane person knows conventional style and will not consider "he" sexist. // Publications from local government are hardly a reliable style guide. Even universities often send letters with grammar mistakes, probably composed by their marketing departments. – Cerberus Jun 19 '11 at 21:56
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@Cerberus: I strongly disagree. It's a pretty outdated usage in most writing, except where it is important not to cause confusion about the use of "they". – Marcin Jun 19 '11 at 21:59
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@Cerberus: I too will disagree with you here. Firstly, it’s definitely not still de rigueur in any context — awkward circumlocutions like he/she have been acceptable for decades, and more promisingly, prejudice against the venerable singular they in formal writing is on the wane. // On the other hand, more subjectively, here’s why I prefer not to use he as a gender-neutral pronoun: [cont’d in next comment] – PLL Aug 12 '11 at 3:56
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As you say, everyone knows conventional style, and no-one should read generic he as intentional sexism. But there’s a fair bit of research on how things like this, even when completely conventionalised, contribute to shaping people’s perceptions and prejudices of gender. The asymmetry of gender in conventional grammar and style is one of the many things reinforcing sexism in society. Yes, it’s a small part, and in many cases would be impossible to change without brutally overhauling entire languages. But this example is fairly egregious, and has a decent alternative; so why not change? – PLL Aug 12 '11 at 4:07
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@Cerberus: It is, of course, more complex than the example of la présidence -> women, la comitié -> men — I think you’re unfairly oversimplifying these arguments a bit there. Lena Boroditsky’s work is what I was mainly thinking of; LL has discussed it several times, eg here. She shows pretty convincingly that grammatical gender affects (not drastically, but quite significantly) the connotations we give to words: eg Spanish speakers are more apt to associate feminine-associated characteristics with bridges (la puente), – PLL Aug 13 '11 at 18:01
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up vote 2 down vote

Personally (and with the bias of a mid-western American English speaker), it sounds out-dated to use he or she in this case; the plural they avoids any gender bias. Alternatively, you also works as a replacement, however the tone may become too direct and commanding, which some may find disturbing.

Consider:

  • In order to exit the parking garage, the driver must have the ticket that he received upon entry. He must then insert the card into the slot, whereupon the amount due will be displayed.
  • In order to exit the parking garage, the driver must have the ticket that they received upon entry. They must then insert the card into the slot, whereupon the amount due will be displayed.
  • In order to exit the parking garage, you must have the ticket that you received upon entry. You must then insert the card into the slot, whereupon the amount due will be displayed.

When writing formally or for a company or publication, always be sure to follow the recommended style guide; it may indicate which you should use. (It may also indicate that one should use "she" or alternate between "he" and "she" when referring to different people in order to ensure that one pronoun isn't overused.)

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One can use "one" as a replacement for "you". – MT_Head Jun 20 '11 at 7:46
My case is a description, not an instruction, like "A student does blah blah blah". You or one will not work in that case. – Iti Jun 21 '11 at 23:31

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