Them/Their

Perhaps a completely new pronoun needs to be invented. I agree "they" and "their" indicates more than one person.

Its just a silly nonsense!

It's about pandering to the gender-neutral agenda.

Absolutely, it is.

@far: why would you use a plural pronoun tjough?

If you're talking about Paul coming, surely you should use "he" ie:

Paul is coming for dinner. What would HE like to drink?

Not:

Paul is coming for dinner. What would THEY like to drink.? .

It's about pandering to the gender-neutral agenda.

What on earth has it got to do with anyone else? Leave them alone.

Surely Paul would say "I am coming for tea" and the host would ask Paul "What would you like to drink?"?

They/them/their only needs to be used when talking about the person, to someone else.

I dislike this.

I'm reading a book at the moment and it says on the cover:

" The Secret Barrister is a junior barrister specialising in criminal law. THEY write for Counsel Magazine".

I can kind of see why they've used the plural there, because the barrister in question is not gendered.

But it's clumsy and, in my view, incorrect as it's matching a singular with a plural.

At work we send a letter saying:

"you were seen today by oldgimmer. THEY can be contacted on 0800 700700"

Why? Just why?

Makes no sense. I don't want to be a plural pronoun, I want to be a feminine singular one!

'Are', not 'at' in the last sentence.

I think I would be tempted to stick to using the person's actual (presumably self-selected) name in many circumstances. In other words, "what would X like to drink?", rather than "what would they like to drink?"
Otherwise, the potential for confusion every single time the words they and their were used in a group situation would be huge - at you supposed to ask that one person, or the whole group what they would like to drink?

I believe Queen Victoria referred to herself as 'we' so perhaps Paul has royal blood!

Aren't things getting just too complicated in an effort to be correct?

Sorry NfkDumpling you can't use the word "he" because it denotes gender. Apparently we are supposed to use the words "they" "their" in this day and age so that no one is offended by their description.

I find it confusing. If Paul told me they were coming for tea, I would assume he (sorry, they) were bringing friends!

I have no problem with this, as long as they don't claim to be the opposite sex to their biological one.

I find this difficult too but I guess "it" means a thing (neuter) whereas "them" is at least personal if you understand me.