I think you did misunderstand me -- that is exactly what I said.
'My friend Johanna _is_ non-binary and _uses_ "they" pronouns.'
The subject is "Johanna". It is a reference to a person who uses "they"
pronouns, but the verbs are singular, "is" and "uses". Similarly, if you just
used the phrase "my friend" as a reference to the non-binary Johana, the verb
would be singular:
'My friend _is_ non-binary and _uses_ "they" pronouns.'
But a pronoun referring to the same person elsewhere in the sentence would be
plural to match their preference, producing a singular verb but plural pronoun:
'My friend walks to _their_ car.
So, if the subject is a name, title, or other noun phrase (such as "my friend")
referring to an individual who uses "they" pronouns, you use a singular verb,
but would use the plural "they", "their", "their's", etc. if a pronoun referred
to the individual elsewhere in the same sentence.
But if the subject is a _pronoun_ referring to a person who uses "they"
pronouns, the verb is plural form to match the plural pronoun.
'They _are_ vegan.'
Vs.
'Johanna _is_ vegan.'
Steve McDonald
steve.mcdon...@tufts.edu
-----Original Message-----
From: Code for Libraries <CODE4LIB@LISTS.CLIR.ORG> On Behalf Of Emily H.
Sent: Tuesday, June 7, 2022 5:06 PM
To: CODE4LIB@LISTS.CLIR.ORG
Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Grammar Checker - sites
>
> I misspoke a bit about individuals who use "they" pronouns. The
> pronouns for them would always be plural. The verb gets more
> complicated. If the subject is a plural pronoun, the verb would also
> be plural, but if the subject is a name, title, or phrase referencing
> an individual, the verb would be singular.
I'm not sure if I'm misunderstanding you, but this has not been my experience
with individuals who use "they" pronouns - the verb is conjugated to agree with
plural "they," even when the subject is singular.
e.g.
My friend Johanna is non-binary and uses "they" pronouns. They are vegan.
They enjoy foraging for mushrooms and wild plants.
On Tue, Jun 7, 2022 at 3:43 PM McDonald, Stephen <steve.mcdon...@tufts.edu>
wrote:
> I misspoke a bit about individuals who use "they" pronouns. The
> pronouns for them would always be plural. The verb gets more
> complicated. If the subject is a plural pronoun, the verb would also
> be plural, but if the subject is a name, title, or phrase referencing
> an individual, the verb would be singular. So you can get a mix of
> singular verb and plural pronoun in those cases, which a grammar checker is
> not going to get right.
>
> The moral of the story, though, is that auto-grammar correctors will
> not be perfect, so don't trust them completely.
>
> Steve McDonald
> steve.mcdon...@tufts.edu
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Code for Libraries <CODE4LIB@LISTS.CLIR.ORG> On Behalf Of
> charles meyer
> Sent: Tuesday, June 7, 2022 4:04 PM
> To: CODE4LIB@LISTS.CLIR.ORG
> Subject: [CODE4LIB] Grammar Checker - sites
>
> Hi my esteemed listmates,
>
> I was wondering which sites others use to check for grammar?
>
> Grammar Girl and Grammar.com don't seem to allow you to type in a
> phrase to check on its grammar.
>
> Ex. The community is invited to share their thoughts...
>
> Is that the correct matching of singular/plural nouns with pronouns?
>
> Thank you?
>
> Charles.
>
> Charles Meyer
> Charlotte County Public Library
> Port Charlotte, FL
>
