I have to write an academic essay for school, and I was wondering if the use of the singular “they/them/their” would be accepted.
Which of these would be “formal” and “accepted” by teachers.
A) Someone forgot their hat. Make sure to give it back to them. (Singular they)
B) Someone forgot his hat. Make sure to give it back to him. (Universal “he”)
C) Someone forgot his or her hat. Make sure to give it back to him or her. (Use of both pronouns).
I am looking for the FORMAL way, since I am writing for school and shall write in a formal way!