In this article, we will examine the sentence: ‘Everyone gets into the habit of masturbating in his youth’ and explore the grammatical structure as well as the possible corrections.
Understanding the Sentence Structure
The sentence ‘Everyone gets into the habit of masturbating in his youth’ is grammatically understandable but contains a few issues that may affect clarity or style. Specifically, the use of ‘his’ to refer to ‘everyone’ can cause confusion, as ‘everyone’ is a gender-neutral term.
In English, when referring to a group of people, it is better to avoid using gendered pronouns like ‘his’ or ‘her’ unless a specific gender is being addressed. Instead, the sentence could be adjusted for better inclusivity and grammatical correctness.
Suggested Correction
One correct way to rewrite the sentence is: ‘Everyone gets into the habit of masturbating in their youth.’ By replacing ‘his’ with ‘their,’ the sentence becomes gender-neutral, which is preferred in modern English, especially when talking about a group of people.
Another option could be: ‘People get into the habit of masturbating in their youth.’ This version is more general and avoids the use of ‘everyone’ entirely, making the statement sound broader.
Why Gender-Neutral Language is Important
In today’s writing and speaking practices, gender-neutral language is becoming increasingly important to ensure that no one feels excluded. Using ‘their’ as a singular pronoun is grammatically accepted and widely used, especially in contexts where gender is not specified or is irrelevant.
While traditional grammar rules advocated for the use of ‘his’ as a default singular pronoun, modern English has evolved to embrace more inclusive language, allowing for ‘they’ or ‘their’ as a neutral option.
Conclusion
The original sentence ‘Everyone gets into the habit of masturbating in his youth’ can be improved by using ‘their’ instead of ‘his’ to make it gender-neutral. This not only adheres to contemporary English norms but also ensures inclusivity in language. Remember, when in doubt, using gender-neutral terms is a safe and respectful choice for clarity and inclusiveness.
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