Grammar and Criticism

Grammar and Criticism
The Reader's Turn
11/22/2019
Updated:
7/10/2020

It really isn’t hard to avoid using they, them, and their as singular pronouns. In Harry Winkler’s letter, “if one sprains their wrist” might be rendered as “if one sprains a wrist”.

In Paul Adams’, “They go their own way ...” demonstrates the writer becoming confused as to whether “their” is singular or plural. Since the antecedent of “they” is “children” in the previous sentence, “they' is plural. But children do not go their own way. They go their own ways. Bad grammar causes confused thinking.

Also, as marvelous as The Epoch Times is, publishing letters with criticisms would provide another bit of evidence of journalistic integrity.

Raymond Mountain View, Calif.

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