the individual - his or its?

[Sim]

Hi,

Is the individual considered to be a person or a thing? Do you say "the individual and his talents" or "the individual and its talents"?

I'm looking for an explanation on this subject.

Thanks,
Sim

[Molly]

People are generally not considered as "it", though my father used to use "it" for men who had long hair. My dad was a bit old-fashioned. :)

Four possibilities:

"the individual and his talents"
"the individual and her talents"
"the individual and their talents"
"the individual and his/her talents"

[Sim]

Thank you Molly!

I guess "the individual and their talents" is the best option....at least it's politically correct.

What do you think?

sim

[Mohammad Ahmad]

Hi, to all friends .....
I am fewer currently busy these days, and about the question its / has
Please read these examples :
I said this picture is mine , and when any one asked me to whose this picture
I answer its mine , mean that the picture is for me or belong to me. means that ( its ) related to possess some thing to the owner .. you understand? .And his usualy use as asking about possessive pronoun , read the example fellow:
has any one passed the exam ? it is the auxililary verb of three :
have . be . do .
e.g. Has he won the prize? The answer are : yes he has , or no he has not.
_________________
MMA

[Molly]

[Barb_D]

"Their" as a gender-neutral, singular pronoun is accepted at almost every level of communication these days. Don't forget that rewriting is always an option: Individuals and their talents.

[Barb_D]

[Mohammad Ahmad]

well, read those examples ;
1- The car is for his .
2- the animal eat its food .
here the examples are wide to be understood for each , so its to possessive things , while has I thought for both things and man .
_________________
MMA