ENGLISH
REFERENCE

he or she

fixed phr..
A1 Beginner Oxford

fixed phr.. A phrase you use to talk about one person when you don't know if that person is a man or a woman.

fixed phr.. A coordinated pronoun phrase used for a singular antecedent of indeterminate gender, often considered more formal than singular 'they'.


SIMPLE

If a student needs help, he or she should ask.

CONTEXTUAL

Each applicant must ensure that he or she has completed all the required forms before the deadline.

COMPLEX

The ideal candidate will demonstrate that he or she possesses not only the technical skills but also the emotional intelligence required for a leadership role.

Usage

This phrase is common in formal or legal writing, but singular 'they' is often preferred in modern, everyday English.

Teaching tip

Contrast 'he or she' with singular 'they', explaining that the former is more traditional while the latter is now widely accepted for gender neutrality.

Pitfall

Every employee should update his password.Every employee should update his or her password.Using only 'he' is often considered outdated and not inclusive when referring to a person of any gender.

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