They. He or She[usage-they-he-or-she]

They、He or She。当先行词是each、each one、everybody、every one、many a man这类分配性表达时，不要用they。要用单数代词。

• 误：Every one of us knows they are fallible.
• 正：Every one of us knows he is fallible.

• 误：Everyone in the community, whether they are a member of the Association or not, is invited to attend.
• 正：Everyone in the community, whether he is a member of the Association or not, is invited to attend.

类似的毛病是把复数代词与先行词anybody、somebody、someone连用，其意图要么是避免别扭的he or she，要么是避免把自己归于两者中的哪一个。有些羞怯的说话者甚至说："A friend of mine told me that they…"

用he作为涵盖两性的名词的代词，是一种简单而实用的约定，植根于英语的起源。然而如今，许多作者认为用泛指的he或his来指代不确定的先行词，有局限或令人反感。用he or she来替代它，如果行得通，是合乎逻辑的做法。但它往往行不通，哪怕只是因为这重复听起来乏味或愚蠢。

考虑以下策略，以避免别扭地过度使用he or she，或无意中强调阳性：

用复数而非单数。

• 误：The writer must address his readers' concerns.
• 正：Writers must address their readers' concerns.

彻底删去代词。

• 误：The writer must address his readers' concerns.
• 正：The writer must address readers' concerns.

用第二人称代替第三人称。

• 误：The writer must address his readers' concerns.
• 正：As a writer, you must address your readers' concerns.

只要常识支持，谁都不必害怕使用he。如果你觉得she是替代he的顺手选择，不妨试试，看看会怎样。另一种做法是，把所有有争议的名词都变成复数，从而完全避开性别的选择，尽管你可能会发现，这样一来文章听起来笼统而松散。