Revising sexist language

When revising sexist language, you may be tempted to substitute he or she (or he/she) and his or her (or his/her). These terms are inclusive but wordy; fine in small doses, they become awkward when repeated throughout an essay. The following two revision strategies are usually more effective:

  1. Using the plural for nouns and pronouns.
  2. Rewriting the sentence to avoid any problem with sexist language.

Heading: Sexist. Example sentences: * A journalist is stimulated by his deadline. * A good interior designer treats her clients’ ideas respectfully.

Heading: Acceptable but wordy. Example sentence: A journalist is stimulated by his or her deadline. Example sentence: A good interior designer treats his or her clients’ idea respectfully.

Heading: Better: using the plural. Example sentence: Journalists are stimulated by their deadlines. Example sentence: Good interior designers treat their clients’ ideas respectfully.

Heading: Better: rewriting the sentence. Example sentence: A journalist is stimulated by a deadline. Example sentence: A good interior designer treats clients’ ideas respectfully.

Exercises:

Sexist language 1

Sexist language 2

Sexist language 3

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