"Each student must have his or her own textbook." vs "every employee needs to change their password each month."

Question

"Each student must have his or her own textbook." vs "every employee needs to change their password each month."

Both phrases are correct and commonly used in English. They both use gender-neutral language to refer to a group of people. The first phrase uses 'his or her' to be inclusive of both genders, while the second phrase uses 'their' as a singular gender-neutral pronoun.

Last Updated: March 15, 2024

This phrase is used to emphasize that every student should possess an individual textbook. It is inclusive of all genders by using 'his or her.'

Alternatives:

each student must have their own textbook.
every student needs to have their own textbook.
all students should have their own textbooks.
every student must possess their own textbook.
each student is required to have their own textbook.

This phrase is used to indicate that all employees are required to change their password monthly. It uses 'their' as a singular gender-neutral pronoun.

Alternatives:

every employee needs to change his or her password each month.
all employees should change their password every month.
each employee is required to change their password monthly.
every worker must update their password each month.
each staff member needs to change their password every month.

Answer 1

Each student must have his or her own textbook.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to students of any gender.

Answer 2

every employee needs to change their password each month.

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to refer to employees of any gender.

"Each student must have his or her own textbook." vs "every employee needs to change their password each month."

Each student must have his or her own textbook.

every employee needs to change their password each month.

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