Yes, which is exactly why anyone who insists on using plural pronouns for a singular person should be referred to by only the pronoun "it". A perfect example of the communication problems caused by people insisting the word "they" can be singular.
"They" can be singular. The problem is "they" isn't a real pronoun when used that way. It's used as a substitute for when the proper pronoun isn't known because it's ambiguous. The ambiguity causes problems and is why it should never be used except as a last resort.
Yes, I know about "he or she", but it sounds so fucking stupid. I can't do it.
I usually do. I use "they" mostly when talking about a theoretical person. Like "if you were at a store and the person at the checkout accidentally forgot to scan an item, would you say something to them"?
I'm not sure why, it just seems more correct to me.
Yes, which is exactly why anyone who insists on using plural pronouns for a singular person should be referred to by only the pronoun "it". A perfect example of the communication problems caused by people insisting the word "they" can be singular.
"They" can be singular. The problem is "they" isn't a real pronoun when used that way. It's used as a substitute for when the proper pronoun isn't known because it's ambiguous. The ambiguity causes problems and is why it should never be used except as a last resort.
Yes, I know about "he or she", but it sounds so fucking stupid. I can't do it.
You can also use He as a substitute for an unknown individual.
I usually do. I use "they" mostly when talking about a theoretical person. Like "if you were at a store and the person at the checkout accidentally forgot to scan an item, would you say something to them"?
I'm not sure why, it just seems more correct to me.