Why use “his” in association with the word “mankind”?












8















The economist Keynes in a book wrote:




The power to become habituated to his surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.




I would have used "its" instead but since English is not my mother-tongue and Keynes was probably a good writer I am sure I am the one being mistaken.



Can anyone please explain ?










share|improve this question




















  • 4





    or one's surroundings

    – shinynewbike
    Jan 18 '11 at 7:57
















8















The economist Keynes in a book wrote:




The power to become habituated to his surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.




I would have used "its" instead but since English is not my mother-tongue and Keynes was probably a good writer I am sure I am the one being mistaken.



Can anyone please explain ?










share|improve this question




















  • 4





    or one's surroundings

    – shinynewbike
    Jan 18 '11 at 7:57














8












8








8


1






The economist Keynes in a book wrote:




The power to become habituated to his surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.




I would have used "its" instead but since English is not my mother-tongue and Keynes was probably a good writer I am sure I am the one being mistaken.



Can anyone please explain ?










share|improve this question
















The economist Keynes in a book wrote:




The power to become habituated to his surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.




I would have used "its" instead but since English is not my mother-tongue and Keynes was probably a good writer I am sure I am the one being mistaken.



Can anyone please explain ?







pronouns possessives gender agreement pronoun-agreement






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Dec 2 '16 at 12:38









sumelic

49.2k8116221




49.2k8116221










asked Jan 18 '11 at 7:06







Robert















  • 4





    or one's surroundings

    – shinynewbike
    Jan 18 '11 at 7:57














  • 4





    or one's surroundings

    – shinynewbike
    Jan 18 '11 at 7:57








4




4





or one's surroundings

– shinynewbike
Jan 18 '11 at 7:57





or one's surroundings

– shinynewbike
Jan 18 '11 at 7:57










5 Answers
5






active

oldest

votes


















14














The use of 'his' refers to each 'member' of mankind. Mankind is generally referred to in this way, i.e. as a group of individual people, as opposed to a single, monolithic body, which would be suggested by using 'its'.






share|improve this answer





















  • 2





    I think this answer goes to the point of the question, where several other answers have missed it.

    – Colin Fine
    Jan 18 '11 at 18:00



















1














This is an old conundrum. English has no proper neutral pronoun to either a male or female person. It is usually used to refer to inanimate or not-human things.



You could say:




The power to become habituated to one's surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.




But the usage of one as a pronoun has come to sound a bit pretentious. I believe there is a shift occurring in english where their is being used in the singular and becoming acceptable.




The power to become habituated to their surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.




Some would take it a step further.




The power to become habituated to their surroundings is a marked characteristic of humans.




But that's somehow less poetic. Humans seems more clinical, and mankind more familial and grandiose somehow.






share|improve this answer
























  • I don't think "one" makes a good substitute third-person pronoun. It's used instead of "you" in formal documents, i.e. it's a second person pronoun.

    – Marthaª
    Jan 18 '11 at 19:06













  • @Martha Actually, in British affected speech, it can also substitute for "I". I'm using it in the sense of "a person of the speaker's kind; such as the speaker himself or herself" see: dictionary.reference.com/browse/one

    – ghoppe
    Jan 18 '11 at 19:12











  • Lest we forget, there is also humankind.

    – Jon Purdy
    Jan 27 '12 at 5:05



















0














"his" (male pronoun) emphasises that it's a human.



"its" (neuter pronoun) would suggest a less human thing or entity.



Compare:




Jeremy the baker got used to his surroundings




and




Fido the dog got used to its surroundings







share|improve this answer
























  • I think a lot of people would still use his or her for a dog. But it's hard to think of an inanimate example of something getting used to surroundings.

    – Tesserex
    Jan 18 '11 at 14:20











  • How about a ghost?

    – smirkingman
    Jan 18 '11 at 14:32



















0














Make a NEW word



Shean, can be an acronym, and a real word that can refur to any living being.



S = She,
H = He,
E = for mEn,
A = for WomAn,
N = for HumaN,






share|improve this answer








New contributor




Alanna is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.




























    -5














    In English, male pronouns are used for single persons of unknown gender. However, feminists and other groups find this fundamental grammar offensive, so they force awkward and incorrect phrasings like one's and the singular their.






    share|improve this answer





















    • 1





      This response does not answer the question "Why use 'his' in association with the word 'mankind'?"

      – J.T. Grimes
      Jan 27 '12 at 6:24











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    5 Answers
    5






    active

    oldest

    votes








    5 Answers
    5






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes









    14














    The use of 'his' refers to each 'member' of mankind. Mankind is generally referred to in this way, i.e. as a group of individual people, as opposed to a single, monolithic body, which would be suggested by using 'its'.






    share|improve this answer





















    • 2





      I think this answer goes to the point of the question, where several other answers have missed it.

      – Colin Fine
      Jan 18 '11 at 18:00
















    14














    The use of 'his' refers to each 'member' of mankind. Mankind is generally referred to in this way, i.e. as a group of individual people, as opposed to a single, monolithic body, which would be suggested by using 'its'.






    share|improve this answer





















    • 2





      I think this answer goes to the point of the question, where several other answers have missed it.

      – Colin Fine
      Jan 18 '11 at 18:00














    14












    14








    14







    The use of 'his' refers to each 'member' of mankind. Mankind is generally referred to in this way, i.e. as a group of individual people, as opposed to a single, monolithic body, which would be suggested by using 'its'.






    share|improve this answer















    The use of 'his' refers to each 'member' of mankind. Mankind is generally referred to in this way, i.e. as a group of individual people, as opposed to a single, monolithic body, which would be suggested by using 'its'.







    share|improve this answer














    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer








    edited Jan 18 '11 at 9:17

























    answered Jan 18 '11 at 9:07







    user3444















    • 2





      I think this answer goes to the point of the question, where several other answers have missed it.

      – Colin Fine
      Jan 18 '11 at 18:00














    • 2





      I think this answer goes to the point of the question, where several other answers have missed it.

      – Colin Fine
      Jan 18 '11 at 18:00








    2




    2





    I think this answer goes to the point of the question, where several other answers have missed it.

    – Colin Fine
    Jan 18 '11 at 18:00





    I think this answer goes to the point of the question, where several other answers have missed it.

    – Colin Fine
    Jan 18 '11 at 18:00













    1














    This is an old conundrum. English has no proper neutral pronoun to either a male or female person. It is usually used to refer to inanimate or not-human things.



    You could say:




    The power to become habituated to one's surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.




    But the usage of one as a pronoun has come to sound a bit pretentious. I believe there is a shift occurring in english where their is being used in the singular and becoming acceptable.




    The power to become habituated to their surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.




    Some would take it a step further.




    The power to become habituated to their surroundings is a marked characteristic of humans.




    But that's somehow less poetic. Humans seems more clinical, and mankind more familial and grandiose somehow.






    share|improve this answer
























    • I don't think "one" makes a good substitute third-person pronoun. It's used instead of "you" in formal documents, i.e. it's a second person pronoun.

      – Marthaª
      Jan 18 '11 at 19:06













    • @Martha Actually, in British affected speech, it can also substitute for "I". I'm using it in the sense of "a person of the speaker's kind; such as the speaker himself or herself" see: dictionary.reference.com/browse/one

      – ghoppe
      Jan 18 '11 at 19:12











    • Lest we forget, there is also humankind.

      – Jon Purdy
      Jan 27 '12 at 5:05
















    1














    This is an old conundrum. English has no proper neutral pronoun to either a male or female person. It is usually used to refer to inanimate or not-human things.



    You could say:




    The power to become habituated to one's surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.




    But the usage of one as a pronoun has come to sound a bit pretentious. I believe there is a shift occurring in english where their is being used in the singular and becoming acceptable.




    The power to become habituated to their surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.




    Some would take it a step further.




    The power to become habituated to their surroundings is a marked characteristic of humans.




    But that's somehow less poetic. Humans seems more clinical, and mankind more familial and grandiose somehow.






    share|improve this answer
























    • I don't think "one" makes a good substitute third-person pronoun. It's used instead of "you" in formal documents, i.e. it's a second person pronoun.

      – Marthaª
      Jan 18 '11 at 19:06













    • @Martha Actually, in British affected speech, it can also substitute for "I". I'm using it in the sense of "a person of the speaker's kind; such as the speaker himself or herself" see: dictionary.reference.com/browse/one

      – ghoppe
      Jan 18 '11 at 19:12











    • Lest we forget, there is also humankind.

      – Jon Purdy
      Jan 27 '12 at 5:05














    1












    1








    1







    This is an old conundrum. English has no proper neutral pronoun to either a male or female person. It is usually used to refer to inanimate or not-human things.



    You could say:




    The power to become habituated to one's surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.




    But the usage of one as a pronoun has come to sound a bit pretentious. I believe there is a shift occurring in english where their is being used in the singular and becoming acceptable.




    The power to become habituated to their surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.




    Some would take it a step further.




    The power to become habituated to their surroundings is a marked characteristic of humans.




    But that's somehow less poetic. Humans seems more clinical, and mankind more familial and grandiose somehow.






    share|improve this answer













    This is an old conundrum. English has no proper neutral pronoun to either a male or female person. It is usually used to refer to inanimate or not-human things.



    You could say:




    The power to become habituated to one's surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.




    But the usage of one as a pronoun has come to sound a bit pretentious. I believe there is a shift occurring in english where their is being used in the singular and becoming acceptable.




    The power to become habituated to their surroundings is a marked characteristic of mankind.




    Some would take it a step further.




    The power to become habituated to their surroundings is a marked characteristic of humans.




    But that's somehow less poetic. Humans seems more clinical, and mankind more familial and grandiose somehow.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Jan 18 '11 at 16:39









    ghoppeghoppe

    13.5k13059




    13.5k13059













    • I don't think "one" makes a good substitute third-person pronoun. It's used instead of "you" in formal documents, i.e. it's a second person pronoun.

      – Marthaª
      Jan 18 '11 at 19:06













    • @Martha Actually, in British affected speech, it can also substitute for "I". I'm using it in the sense of "a person of the speaker's kind; such as the speaker himself or herself" see: dictionary.reference.com/browse/one

      – ghoppe
      Jan 18 '11 at 19:12











    • Lest we forget, there is also humankind.

      – Jon Purdy
      Jan 27 '12 at 5:05



















    • I don't think "one" makes a good substitute third-person pronoun. It's used instead of "you" in formal documents, i.e. it's a second person pronoun.

      – Marthaª
      Jan 18 '11 at 19:06













    • @Martha Actually, in British affected speech, it can also substitute for "I". I'm using it in the sense of "a person of the speaker's kind; such as the speaker himself or herself" see: dictionary.reference.com/browse/one

      – ghoppe
      Jan 18 '11 at 19:12











    • Lest we forget, there is also humankind.

      – Jon Purdy
      Jan 27 '12 at 5:05

















    I don't think "one" makes a good substitute third-person pronoun. It's used instead of "you" in formal documents, i.e. it's a second person pronoun.

    – Marthaª
    Jan 18 '11 at 19:06







    I don't think "one" makes a good substitute third-person pronoun. It's used instead of "you" in formal documents, i.e. it's a second person pronoun.

    – Marthaª
    Jan 18 '11 at 19:06















    @Martha Actually, in British affected speech, it can also substitute for "I". I'm using it in the sense of "a person of the speaker's kind; such as the speaker himself or herself" see: dictionary.reference.com/browse/one

    – ghoppe
    Jan 18 '11 at 19:12





    @Martha Actually, in British affected speech, it can also substitute for "I". I'm using it in the sense of "a person of the speaker's kind; such as the speaker himself or herself" see: dictionary.reference.com/browse/one

    – ghoppe
    Jan 18 '11 at 19:12













    Lest we forget, there is also humankind.

    – Jon Purdy
    Jan 27 '12 at 5:05





    Lest we forget, there is also humankind.

    – Jon Purdy
    Jan 27 '12 at 5:05











    0














    "his" (male pronoun) emphasises that it's a human.



    "its" (neuter pronoun) would suggest a less human thing or entity.



    Compare:




    Jeremy the baker got used to his surroundings




    and




    Fido the dog got used to its surroundings







    share|improve this answer
























    • I think a lot of people would still use his or her for a dog. But it's hard to think of an inanimate example of something getting used to surroundings.

      – Tesserex
      Jan 18 '11 at 14:20











    • How about a ghost?

      – smirkingman
      Jan 18 '11 at 14:32
















    0














    "his" (male pronoun) emphasises that it's a human.



    "its" (neuter pronoun) would suggest a less human thing or entity.



    Compare:




    Jeremy the baker got used to his surroundings




    and




    Fido the dog got used to its surroundings







    share|improve this answer
























    • I think a lot of people would still use his or her for a dog. But it's hard to think of an inanimate example of something getting used to surroundings.

      – Tesserex
      Jan 18 '11 at 14:20











    • How about a ghost?

      – smirkingman
      Jan 18 '11 at 14:32














    0












    0








    0







    "his" (male pronoun) emphasises that it's a human.



    "its" (neuter pronoun) would suggest a less human thing or entity.



    Compare:




    Jeremy the baker got used to his surroundings




    and




    Fido the dog got used to its surroundings







    share|improve this answer













    "his" (male pronoun) emphasises that it's a human.



    "its" (neuter pronoun) would suggest a less human thing or entity.



    Compare:




    Jeremy the baker got used to his surroundings




    and




    Fido the dog got used to its surroundings








    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Jan 18 '11 at 11:06









    smirkingmansmirkingman

    1,29668




    1,29668













    • I think a lot of people would still use his or her for a dog. But it's hard to think of an inanimate example of something getting used to surroundings.

      – Tesserex
      Jan 18 '11 at 14:20











    • How about a ghost?

      – smirkingman
      Jan 18 '11 at 14:32



















    • I think a lot of people would still use his or her for a dog. But it's hard to think of an inanimate example of something getting used to surroundings.

      – Tesserex
      Jan 18 '11 at 14:20











    • How about a ghost?

      – smirkingman
      Jan 18 '11 at 14:32

















    I think a lot of people would still use his or her for a dog. But it's hard to think of an inanimate example of something getting used to surroundings.

    – Tesserex
    Jan 18 '11 at 14:20





    I think a lot of people would still use his or her for a dog. But it's hard to think of an inanimate example of something getting used to surroundings.

    – Tesserex
    Jan 18 '11 at 14:20













    How about a ghost?

    – smirkingman
    Jan 18 '11 at 14:32





    How about a ghost?

    – smirkingman
    Jan 18 '11 at 14:32











    0














    Make a NEW word



    Shean, can be an acronym, and a real word that can refur to any living being.



    S = She,
    H = He,
    E = for mEn,
    A = for WomAn,
    N = for HumaN,






    share|improve this answer








    New contributor




    Alanna is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.

























      0














      Make a NEW word



      Shean, can be an acronym, and a real word that can refur to any living being.



      S = She,
      H = He,
      E = for mEn,
      A = for WomAn,
      N = for HumaN,






      share|improve this answer








      New contributor




      Alanna is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.























        0












        0








        0







        Make a NEW word



        Shean, can be an acronym, and a real word that can refur to any living being.



        S = She,
        H = He,
        E = for mEn,
        A = for WomAn,
        N = for HumaN,






        share|improve this answer








        New contributor




        Alanna is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.










        Make a NEW word



        Shean, can be an acronym, and a real word that can refur to any living being.



        S = She,
        H = He,
        E = for mEn,
        A = for WomAn,
        N = for HumaN,







        share|improve this answer








        New contributor




        Alanna is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.









        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer






        New contributor




        Alanna is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.









        answered 12 mins ago









        AlannaAlanna

        1




        1




        New contributor




        Alanna is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.





        New contributor





        Alanna is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.






        Alanna is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.























            -5














            In English, male pronouns are used for single persons of unknown gender. However, feminists and other groups find this fundamental grammar offensive, so they force awkward and incorrect phrasings like one's and the singular their.






            share|improve this answer





















            • 1





              This response does not answer the question "Why use 'his' in association with the word 'mankind'?"

              – J.T. Grimes
              Jan 27 '12 at 6:24
















            -5














            In English, male pronouns are used for single persons of unknown gender. However, feminists and other groups find this fundamental grammar offensive, so they force awkward and incorrect phrasings like one's and the singular their.






            share|improve this answer





















            • 1





              This response does not answer the question "Why use 'his' in association with the word 'mankind'?"

              – J.T. Grimes
              Jan 27 '12 at 6:24














            -5












            -5








            -5







            In English, male pronouns are used for single persons of unknown gender. However, feminists and other groups find this fundamental grammar offensive, so they force awkward and incorrect phrasings like one's and the singular their.






            share|improve this answer















            In English, male pronouns are used for single persons of unknown gender. However, feminists and other groups find this fundamental grammar offensive, so they force awkward and incorrect phrasings like one's and the singular their.







            share|improve this answer














            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer








            edited Jan 31 '12 at 22:53









            MetaEd

            25.4k1371123




            25.4k1371123










            answered Jan 27 '12 at 2:59









            SinestroSinestro

            1




            1








            • 1





              This response does not answer the question "Why use 'his' in association with the word 'mankind'?"

              – J.T. Grimes
              Jan 27 '12 at 6:24














            • 1





              This response does not answer the question "Why use 'his' in association with the word 'mankind'?"

              – J.T. Grimes
              Jan 27 '12 at 6:24








            1




            1





            This response does not answer the question "Why use 'his' in association with the word 'mankind'?"

            – J.T. Grimes
            Jan 27 '12 at 6:24





            This response does not answer the question "Why use 'his' in association with the word 'mankind'?"

            – J.T. Grimes
            Jan 27 '12 at 6:24


















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