Why use “his” in association with the word “mankind”?
The economist Keynes in a book wrote:
The power to become habituated to his surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.
I would have used "its" instead but since English is not my mother-tongue and Keynes was probably a good writer I am sure I am the one being mistaken.
Can anyone please explain ?
pronouns possessives gender agreement pronoun-agreement
edited Dec 2 '16 at 12:38
sumelic
49.2k8116221
add a comment |
The economist Keynes in a book wrote:
The power to become habituated to his surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.
I would have used "its" instead but since English is not my mother-tongue and Keynes was probably a good writer I am sure I am the one being mistaken.
Can anyone please explain ?
pronouns possessives gender agreement pronoun-agreement
edited Dec 2 '16 at 12:38
sumelic
49.2k8116221
4
orone'ssurroundings
– shinynewbike
Jan 18 '11 at 7:57
add a comment |
The economist Keynes in a book wrote:
The power to become habituated to his surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.
I would have used "its" instead but since English is not my mother-tongue and Keynes was probably a good writer I am sure I am the one being mistaken.
Can anyone please explain ?
pronouns possessives gender agreement pronoun-agreement
edited Dec 2 '16 at 12:38
sumelic
49.2k8116221
The economist Keynes in a book wrote:
The power to become habituated to his surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.
I would have used "its" instead but since English is not my mother-tongue and Keynes was probably a good writer I am sure I am the one being mistaken.
Can anyone please explain ?
pronouns possessives gender agreement pronoun-agreement
pronouns possessives gender agreement pronoun-agreement
edited Dec 2 '16 at 12:38
sumelic
49.2k8116221
edited Dec 2 '16 at 12:38
sumelic
49.2k8116221
edited Dec 2 '16 at 12:38
sumelic
49.2k8116221
edited Dec 2 '16 at 12:38
sumelic
49.2k8116221
edited Dec 2 '16 at 12:38
sumelic
49.2k8116221
49.2k8116221
asked Jan 18 '11 at 7:06
Robert
4
orone'ssurroundings
– shinynewbike
Jan 18 '11 at 7:57
add a comment |
4
orone'ssurroundings
– shinynewbike
Jan 18 '11 at 7:57
4
4
or
one's surroundings– shinynewbike
Jan 18 '11 at 7:57
or
one's surroundings– shinynewbike
Jan 18 '11 at 7:57
add a comment |
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
The use of 'his' refers to each 'member' of mankind. Mankind is generally referred to in this way, i.e. as a group of individual people, as opposed to a single, monolithic body, which would be suggested by using 'its'.
2
I think this answer goes to the point of the question, where several other answers have missed it.
– Colin Fine
Jan 18 '11 at 18:00
add a comment |
This is an old conundrum. English has no proper neutral pronoun to either a male or female person. It is usually used to refer to inanimate or not-human things.
You could say:
The power to become habituated to one's surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.
But the usage of one as a pronoun has come to sound a bit pretentious. I believe there is a shift occurring in english where their is being used in the singular and becoming acceptable.
The power to become habituated to their surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.
Some would take it a step further.
The power to become habituated to their surroundings is a marked characteristic of humans.
But that's somehow less poetic. Humans seems more clinical, and mankind more familial and grandiose somehow.
answered Jan 18 '11 at 16:39
ghoppeghoppe
13.5k13059
I don't think "one" makes a good substitute third-person pronoun. It's used instead of "you" in formal documents, i.e. it's a second person pronoun.
– Marthaª
Jan 18 '11 at 19:06
@Martha Actually, in British affected speech, it can also substitute for "I". I'm using it in the sense of "a person of the speaker's kind; such as the speaker himself or herself" see: dictionary.reference.com/browse/one
– ghoppe
Jan 18 '11 at 19:12
Lest we forget, there is also humankind.
– Jon Purdy
Jan 27 '12 at 5:05
add a comment |
"his" (male pronoun) emphasises that it's a human.
"its" (neuter pronoun) would suggest a less human thing or entity.
Compare:
Jeremy the baker got used to his surroundings
and
Fido the dog got used to its surroundings
answered Jan 18 '11 at 11:06
smirkingmansmirkingman
1,29668
I think a lot of people would still use his or her for a dog. But it's hard to think of an inanimate example of something getting used to surroundings.
– Tesserex
Jan 18 '11 at 14:20
How about a ghost?
– smirkingman
Jan 18 '11 at 14:32
add a comment |
Make a NEW word
Shean, can be an acronym, and a real word that can refur to any living being.
S = She,
H = He,
E = for mEn,
A = for WomAn,
N = for HumaN,
answered 13 mins ago
AlannaAlanna
1
New contributor
Alanna is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
In English, male pronouns are used for single persons of unknown gender. However, feminists and other groups find this fundamental grammar offensive, so they force awkward and incorrect phrasings like one's and the singular their.
edited Jan 31 '12 at 22:53
MetaEd♦
25.4k1371123
answered Jan 27 '12 at 2:59
SinestroSinestro
1
1
This response does not answer the question "Why use 'his' in association with the word 'mankind'?"
– J.T. Grimes
Jan 27 '12 at 6:24
add a comment |
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5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
5 Answers
5
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
The use of 'his' refers to each 'member' of mankind. Mankind is generally referred to in this way, i.e. as a group of individual people, as opposed to a single, monolithic body, which would be suggested by using 'its'.
2
I think this answer goes to the point of the question, where several other answers have missed it.
– Colin Fine
Jan 18 '11 at 18:00
add a comment |
The use of 'his' refers to each 'member' of mankind. Mankind is generally referred to in this way, i.e. as a group of individual people, as opposed to a single, monolithic body, which would be suggested by using 'its'.
2
I think this answer goes to the point of the question, where several other answers have missed it.
– Colin Fine
Jan 18 '11 at 18:00
add a comment |
The use of 'his' refers to each 'member' of mankind. Mankind is generally referred to in this way, i.e. as a group of individual people, as opposed to a single, monolithic body, which would be suggested by using 'its'.
The use of 'his' refers to each 'member' of mankind. Mankind is generally referred to in this way, i.e. as a group of individual people, as opposed to a single, monolithic body, which would be suggested by using 'its'.
edited Jan 18 '11 at 9:17
answered Jan 18 '11 at 9:07
user3444
2
I think this answer goes to the point of the question, where several other answers have missed it.
– Colin Fine
Jan 18 '11 at 18:00
add a comment |
2
I think this answer goes to the point of the question, where several other answers have missed it.
– Colin Fine
Jan 18 '11 at 18:00
2
2
I think this answer goes to the point of the question, where several other answers have missed it.
– Colin Fine
Jan 18 '11 at 18:00
I think this answer goes to the point of the question, where several other answers have missed it.
– Colin Fine
Jan 18 '11 at 18:00
add a comment |
This is an old conundrum. English has no proper neutral pronoun to either a male or female person. It is usually used to refer to inanimate or not-human things.
You could say:
The power to become habituated to one's surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.
But the usage of one as a pronoun has come to sound a bit pretentious. I believe there is a shift occurring in english where their is being used in the singular and becoming acceptable.
The power to become habituated to their surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.
Some would take it a step further.
The power to become habituated to their surroundings is a marked characteristic of humans.
But that's somehow less poetic. Humans seems more clinical, and mankind more familial and grandiose somehow.
answered Jan 18 '11 at 16:39
ghoppeghoppe
13.5k13059
I don't think "one" makes a good substitute third-person pronoun. It's used instead of "you" in formal documents, i.e. it's a second person pronoun.
– Marthaª
Jan 18 '11 at 19:06
@Martha Actually, in British affected speech, it can also substitute for "I". I'm using it in the sense of "a person of the speaker's kind; such as the speaker himself or herself" see: dictionary.reference.com/browse/one
– ghoppe
Jan 18 '11 at 19:12
Lest we forget, there is also humankind.
– Jon Purdy
Jan 27 '12 at 5:05
add a comment |
This is an old conundrum. English has no proper neutral pronoun to either a male or female person. It is usually used to refer to inanimate or not-human things.
You could say:
The power to become habituated to one's surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.
But the usage of one as a pronoun has come to sound a bit pretentious. I believe there is a shift occurring in english where their is being used in the singular and becoming acceptable.
The power to become habituated to their surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.
Some would take it a step further.
The power to become habituated to their surroundings is a marked characteristic of humans.
But that's somehow less poetic. Humans seems more clinical, and mankind more familial and grandiose somehow.
answered Jan 18 '11 at 16:39
ghoppeghoppe
13.5k13059
I don't think "one" makes a good substitute third-person pronoun. It's used instead of "you" in formal documents, i.e. it's a second person pronoun.
– Marthaª
Jan 18 '11 at 19:06
@Martha Actually, in British affected speech, it can also substitute for "I". I'm using it in the sense of "a person of the speaker's kind; such as the speaker himself or herself" see: dictionary.reference.com/browse/one
– ghoppe
Jan 18 '11 at 19:12
Lest we forget, there is also humankind.
– Jon Purdy
Jan 27 '12 at 5:05
add a comment |
This is an old conundrum. English has no proper neutral pronoun to either a male or female person. It is usually used to refer to inanimate or not-human things.
You could say:
The power to become habituated to one's surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.
But the usage of one as a pronoun has come to sound a bit pretentious. I believe there is a shift occurring in english where their is being used in the singular and becoming acceptable.
The power to become habituated to their surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.
Some would take it a step further.
The power to become habituated to their surroundings is a marked characteristic of humans.
But that's somehow less poetic. Humans seems more clinical, and mankind more familial and grandiose somehow.
answered Jan 18 '11 at 16:39
ghoppeghoppe
13.5k13059
This is an old conundrum. English has no proper neutral pronoun to either a male or female person. It is usually used to refer to inanimate or not-human things.
You could say:
The power to become habituated to one's surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.
But the usage of one as a pronoun has come to sound a bit pretentious. I believe there is a shift occurring in english where their is being used in the singular and becoming acceptable.
The power to become habituated to their surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.
Some would take it a step further.
The power to become habituated to their surroundings is a marked characteristic of humans.
But that's somehow less poetic. Humans seems more clinical, and mankind more familial and grandiose somehow.
answered Jan 18 '11 at 16:39
ghoppeghoppe
13.5k13059
answered Jan 18 '11 at 16:39
ghoppeghoppe
13.5k13059
answered Jan 18 '11 at 16:39
ghoppeghoppe
13.5k13059
answered Jan 18 '11 at 16:39
ghoppeghoppe
13.5k13059
13.5k13059
I don't think "one" makes a good substitute third-person pronoun. It's used instead of "you" in formal documents, i.e. it's a second person pronoun.
– Marthaª
Jan 18 '11 at 19:06
@Martha Actually, in British affected speech, it can also substitute for "I". I'm using it in the sense of "a person of the speaker's kind; such as the speaker himself or herself" see: dictionary.reference.com/browse/one
– ghoppe
Jan 18 '11 at 19:12
Lest we forget, there is also humankind.
– Jon Purdy
Jan 27 '12 at 5:05
add a comment |
I don't think "one" makes a good substitute third-person pronoun. It's used instead of "you" in formal documents, i.e. it's a second person pronoun.
– Marthaª
Jan 18 '11 at 19:06
@Martha Actually, in British affected speech, it can also substitute for "I". I'm using it in the sense of "a person of the speaker's kind; such as the speaker himself or herself" see: dictionary.reference.com/browse/one
– ghoppe
Jan 18 '11 at 19:12
Lest we forget, there is also humankind.
– Jon Purdy
Jan 27 '12 at 5:05
I don't think "one" makes a good substitute third-person pronoun. It's used instead of "you" in formal documents, i.e. it's a second person pronoun.
– Marthaª
Jan 18 '11 at 19:06
I don't think "one" makes a good substitute third-person pronoun. It's used instead of "you" in formal documents, i.e. it's a second person pronoun.
– Marthaª
Jan 18 '11 at 19:06
@Martha Actually, in British affected speech, it can also substitute for "I". I'm using it in the sense of "a person of the speaker's kind; such as the speaker himself or herself" see: dictionary.reference.com/browse/one
– ghoppe
Jan 18 '11 at 19:12
@Martha Actually, in British affected speech, it can also substitute for "I". I'm using it in the sense of "a person of the speaker's kind; such as the speaker himself or herself" see: dictionary.reference.com/browse/one
– ghoppe
Jan 18 '11 at 19:12
Lest we forget, there is also humankind.
– Jon Purdy
Jan 27 '12 at 5:05
Lest we forget, there is also humankind.
– Jon Purdy
Jan 27 '12 at 5:05
add a comment |
"his" (male pronoun) emphasises that it's a human.
"its" (neuter pronoun) would suggest a less human thing or entity.
Compare:
Jeremy the baker got used to his surroundings
and
Fido the dog got used to its surroundings
answered Jan 18 '11 at 11:06
smirkingmansmirkingman
1,29668
I think a lot of people would still use his or her for a dog. But it's hard to think of an inanimate example of something getting used to surroundings.
– Tesserex
Jan 18 '11 at 14:20
How about a ghost?
– smirkingman
Jan 18 '11 at 14:32
add a comment |
"his" (male pronoun) emphasises that it's a human.
"its" (neuter pronoun) would suggest a less human thing or entity.
Compare:
Jeremy the baker got used to his surroundings
and
Fido the dog got used to its surroundings
answered Jan 18 '11 at 11:06
smirkingmansmirkingman
1,29668
I think a lot of people would still use his or her for a dog. But it's hard to think of an inanimate example of something getting used to surroundings.
– Tesserex
Jan 18 '11 at 14:20
How about a ghost?
– smirkingman
Jan 18 '11 at 14:32
add a comment |
"his" (male pronoun) emphasises that it's a human.
"its" (neuter pronoun) would suggest a less human thing or entity.
Compare:
Jeremy the baker got used to his surroundings
and
Fido the dog got used to its surroundings
answered Jan 18 '11 at 11:06
smirkingmansmirkingman
1,29668
"his" (male pronoun) emphasises that it's a human.
"its" (neuter pronoun) would suggest a less human thing or entity.
Compare:
Jeremy the baker got used to his surroundings
and
Fido the dog got used to its surroundings
answered Jan 18 '11 at 11:06
smirkingmansmirkingman
1,29668
answered Jan 18 '11 at 11:06
smirkingmansmirkingman
1,29668
answered Jan 18 '11 at 11:06
smirkingmansmirkingman
1,29668
answered Jan 18 '11 at 11:06
smirkingmansmirkingman
1,29668
1,29668
I think a lot of people would still use his or her for a dog. But it's hard to think of an inanimate example of something getting used to surroundings.
– Tesserex
Jan 18 '11 at 14:20
How about a ghost?
– smirkingman
Jan 18 '11 at 14:32
add a comment |
I think a lot of people would still use his or her for a dog. But it's hard to think of an inanimate example of something getting used to surroundings.
– Tesserex
Jan 18 '11 at 14:20
How about a ghost?
– smirkingman
Jan 18 '11 at 14:32
I think a lot of people would still use his or her for a dog. But it's hard to think of an inanimate example of something getting used to surroundings.
– Tesserex
Jan 18 '11 at 14:20
I think a lot of people would still use his or her for a dog. But it's hard to think of an inanimate example of something getting used to surroundings.
– Tesserex
Jan 18 '11 at 14:20
How about a ghost?
– smirkingman
Jan 18 '11 at 14:32
How about a ghost?
– smirkingman
Jan 18 '11 at 14:32
add a comment |
Make a NEW word
Shean, can be an acronym, and a real word that can refur to any living being.
S = She,
H = He,
E = for mEn,
A = for WomAn,
N = for HumaN,
answered 13 mins ago
AlannaAlanna
1
New contributor
Alanna is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
Make a NEW word
Shean, can be an acronym, and a real word that can refur to any living being.
S = She,
H = He,
E = for mEn,
A = for WomAn,
N = for HumaN,
answered 13 mins ago
AlannaAlanna
1
New contributor
Alanna is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
Make a NEW word
Shean, can be an acronym, and a real word that can refur to any living being.
S = She,
H = He,
E = for mEn,
A = for WomAn,
N = for HumaN,
answered 13 mins ago
AlannaAlanna
1
New contributor
Alanna is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Make a NEW word
Shean, can be an acronym, and a real word that can refur to any living being.
S = She,
H = He,
E = for mEn,
A = for WomAn,
N = for HumaN,
answered 13 mins ago
AlannaAlanna
1
New contributor
Alanna is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 13 mins ago
AlannaAlanna
1
New contributor
Alanna is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
answered 13 mins ago
AlannaAlanna
1
answered 13 mins ago
AlannaAlanna
1
1
New contributor
Alanna is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
New contributor
Alanna is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
Alanna is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.
add a comment |
add a comment |
In English, male pronouns are used for single persons of unknown gender. However, feminists and other groups find this fundamental grammar offensive, so they force awkward and incorrect phrasings like one's and the singular their.
edited Jan 31 '12 at 22:53
MetaEd♦
25.4k1371123
answered Jan 27 '12 at 2:59
SinestroSinestro
1
1
This response does not answer the question "Why use 'his' in association with the word 'mankind'?"
– J.T. Grimes
Jan 27 '12 at 6:24
add a comment |
In English, male pronouns are used for single persons of unknown gender. However, feminists and other groups find this fundamental grammar offensive, so they force awkward and incorrect phrasings like one's and the singular their.
edited Jan 31 '12 at 22:53
MetaEd♦
25.4k1371123
answered Jan 27 '12 at 2:59
SinestroSinestro
1
1
This response does not answer the question "Why use 'his' in association with the word 'mankind'?"
– J.T. Grimes
Jan 27 '12 at 6:24
add a comment |
In English, male pronouns are used for single persons of unknown gender. However, feminists and other groups find this fundamental grammar offensive, so they force awkward and incorrect phrasings like one's and the singular their.
edited Jan 31 '12 at 22:53
MetaEd♦
25.4k1371123
answered Jan 27 '12 at 2:59
SinestroSinestro
1
In English, male pronouns are used for single persons of unknown gender. However, feminists and other groups find this fundamental grammar offensive, so they force awkward and incorrect phrasings like one's and the singular their.
edited Jan 31 '12 at 22:53
MetaEd♦
25.4k1371123
answered Jan 27 '12 at 2:59
SinestroSinestro
1
edited Jan 31 '12 at 22:53
MetaEd♦
25.4k1371123
edited Jan 31 '12 at 22:53
MetaEd♦
25.4k1371123
edited Jan 31 '12 at 22:53
MetaEd♦
25.4k1371123
25.4k1371123
answered Jan 27 '12 at 2:59
SinestroSinestro
1
answered Jan 27 '12 at 2:59
SinestroSinestro
1
answered Jan 27 '12 at 2:59
SinestroSinestro
1
1
1
This response does not answer the question "Why use 'his' in association with the word 'mankind'?"
– J.T. Grimes
Jan 27 '12 at 6:24
add a comment |
1
This response does not answer the question "Why use 'his' in association with the word 'mankind'?"
– J.T. Grimes
Jan 27 '12 at 6:24
1
1
This response does not answer the question "Why use 'his' in association with the word 'mankind'?"
– J.T. Grimes
Jan 27 '12 at 6:24
This response does not answer the question "Why use 'his' in association with the word 'mankind'?"
– J.T. Grimes
Jan 27 '12 at 6:24
add a comment |
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4
or
one'ssurroundings– shinynewbike
Jan 18 '11 at 7:57