Here’s a little English pop quiz that I just posted on Twitter. It’s only one question. Let’s see if you can get it right.
What does "he" mean in the following sentence?
"If anyone has a question, he can ask me after class."
— Denny Burk (@DennyBurk) February 13, 2016
I plan to follow-up with an answer and an explanation in about a week (maybe sooner).
5 Comments
Christiane Smith
pronouns ? . . . think ‘antecedents’ 🙂
Don Johnson
The question is considered obsolescent. The preferred way to ask the question is “If anyone has a question, they can ask me after class.”
Roy Fuller
You are correct. Denny is probably attempting to make some point about gender inclusive language, perhaps as it relates to God, or political correctness run amuck.
Barbara Jackson
He “may” ask…. 🙂
Bruce Symons
Denny, I would infer that there are only males in the class or that the speaker is being deliberately provocative.