Tell me more ×
English Language & Usage Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for linguists, etymologists, and serious English language enthusiasts. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote -1 down vote favorite

Possible Duplicate:
Is there a correct gender-neutral, singular pronoun (“his” versus “her” versus “their”)?

In the sentence ‘Everyone should make everyone’s part’, what adjective possessive pronoun should replace the word everyone’s?

share|improve this question
Conventionally, his. Alternatively, their. – Cerberus Jan 13 at 21:16
1  
That's a very odd example usage. Did you perhaps mean Everyone should play his part? – FumbleFingers Jan 13 at 21:27
Valéria, you might be interested in our new proposal "Italian Language & Usage". Please, commit area51.stackexchange.com/proposals/42949/italian-language-usage Thank you :) – Carlo_R. Jan 13 at 22:40

marked as duplicate by FumbleFingers, tchrist, Barrie England, Kristina Lopez, MετάEd Jan 13 at 22:23

This question has been asked before and already has an answer. If those answers do not fully address your question, please ask a new question.

2 Answers

up vote 1 down vote

"Everyone" is singular, so the following are all acceptable:

Everyone should make his part.

Everyone should make his or her part.

Everyone should make her or his part.

Everyone should make her part.

Everyone should make their part.

"Her or his" or "her" would sometimes be used to combat male-positive gender bias. "Her" or "his" might also be used in a non-offensive way when referring to a group made up only of females or males. The last option, "their", is still shunned by some purists, but is gaining sway as a gender-neutral singular possessive pronoun.

share|improve this answer
up vote 1 down vote

The word would be "their" as in:

"Everyone should make their part."

share|improve this answer

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.