L. H. Smith
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That's better than abusing verb/pronoun number agreement (using "their" or "them" to avoid "her" or "his," for example, when the antecedent and verb are clearly singular).
What really annoys me is when that's done in a context that purely and obviously pertains to a single gender. An actual example from a television newscast: "Every mother knows their own child."
That--coming from a person whose profession is communication--tells me this wasn't a matter of political correctness, but simply not knowing the basics of grammar.
Well, since we're on an OT binge here, and the topic seems to be grammatical(or non-) peeves, ... my current pet is, is the redundant use of "is".
Everyone is doing it. The President, news-anchors, etc., etc., ...all presumably educated, particularly in the use of English, being that they are professional communicators using that medium.
"The trouble with that is,...is (so-and-so)."
"My opinion on this is, ...is(so-and-so)."
"What we should do in Irag is,...is (so-and-so)."
"The point is,...is (so-and-so)."
It's incessant.
"The Dumbing of America" progresses apace.
How long before the answer to "what is your name?" becomes "My name is, is Joe." ??
[ "Boner" just did it again as I type this (On "Meet the Press"). ]
Grrrrr!
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