Hi Friends!
Today let's talk a little about 'gender-neutral language'!
In English, the gender-based grammatical constructions are fast fading away. for example, it is so common for English users the world over to use such sentences as 'EVERYONE should carry HIS own umbrella', 'NO ONE is allowed to park HIS car here' etc.
However, the eminent writers and educated speakers of English, especially in English speaking countries are slowly but steadily shifting towards a gender-neutral language. (e.g. now it is okay to say 'EVEYONE should carry THEIR own umbrella', 'NO ONE is allowed to park THEIR car here' etc).
Although a few users have used such modified sentences since the 1960s, they have been more frequently used today - mainly due to the rapid global growth of Feminist Movement.
So, you may now say,
'Has ANYBODY done THEIR work?' (modern English)
(though 'Has ANYBODY done HIS work?' is also correct)
'Everyone did THEIR work independently' (modern English)
(though 'Everyone did HIS work independently' is also correct)!
Happy learning!!!
Jacob (Nova English Campus)
Showing posts with label modern English. Show all posts
Showing posts with label modern English. Show all posts
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
KIND OF Vs KINDS OF
Hi Good Evening!
Many a times, my students have asked me when, where and how to use 'KIND' in the sense of 'type'. Most of them are often confused about whether to use 'this kind of questions...' , 'these kind of questions...' or 'these kinds of questions...'
Speaking of one kind, with 'this' or 'that', use a singular construction: 'this kind of mistake is not very serious'; 'That kind of dress doesn't suit you'.
On the other hand, while speaking of more than one kind, use a plural construction: 'these kinds of mistakes are not very serious'; 'those kinds of dresses don't suit you'.
More examples:
I love this kind of film.
I love these kinds of films.
Don't buy this kind of book.
Don't buy these kinds of books.
Although the 'ungrammatical these kind' has been used by many writers for many centuries, modern writers and grammarians prefer to avoid this usage.
NB Remember the same rule applies to 'SORT' too.
Jacob (Nova English Campus)
Many a times, my students have asked me when, where and how to use 'KIND' in the sense of 'type'. Most of them are often confused about whether to use 'this kind of questions...' , 'these kind of questions...' or 'these kinds of questions...'
Speaking of one kind, with 'this' or 'that', use a singular construction: 'this kind of mistake is not very serious'; 'That kind of dress doesn't suit you'.
On the other hand, while speaking of more than one kind, use a plural construction: 'these kinds of mistakes are not very serious'; 'those kinds of dresses don't suit you'.
More examples:
I love this kind of film.
I love these kinds of films.
Don't buy this kind of book.
Don't buy these kinds of books.
Although the 'ungrammatical these kind' has been used by many writers for many centuries, modern writers and grammarians prefer to avoid this usage.
NB Remember the same rule applies to 'SORT' too.
Jacob (Nova English Campus)
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