[Editors] Fwd: Lunch and Syntax!

[David L Chandler]

While some newfangled dictionaries now accept such constructions, they still set many people’s teeth on edge (including mine). To me, the best answer is always to change the phrasing to avoid the problem, as Denis suggests. Another version would be “They all make their own travel arrangements.”


On Jan 22, 2015, at 4:25 PM, Denis Paiste <dpaiste at mit.edu<mailto:dpaiste at mit.edu>> wrote:

How about “Individuals make their own travel arrangements”?

On Jan 22, 2015, at 4:18 PM, Patricia M Foley <pfoley at mit.edu<mailto:pfoley at mit.edu>> wrote:

Dear editors,

At a lunch for staff of the School of Architecture and Planning on Tuesday, a colleague posed a question for the editor's group.  Would anyone like to weigh in?

Thank you and looking forward to your thoughts.

Patti Foley

Patricia M Foley
Administrative Assistant
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Department of Urban Studies & Planning
77 Massachusetts Ave., Rm. 9-435
Cambridge, MA  02139
Tel: 617-253-5724

Begin forwarded message:

From: Anne W Simunovic <annesim at mit.edu<mailto:annesim at mit.edu>>
To: Patricia M Foley <pfoley at mit.edu<mailto:pfoley at mit.edu>>
Cc: Anne W Simunovic <annesim at mit.edu<mailto:annesim at mit.edu>>
Subject: Lunch and Syntax!
Date: January 20, 2015 at 2:35:17 PM EST

Hi Patti,

I found a sentence that illustrates my question to the editor:  “Each makes their own travel arrangements.”

My old-school self would say his or her instead of their:  but I think usage has overtaken that old rule?

All best,
Anne



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-- Denis Paiste
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