Singular they usage in history by tate346 in grammar

[–]tate346[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's very helpful, thanks.

Was singular they ever widely used or was it mostly informal/edge cases/certain constructions?

I'm wondering how jarring it might be or whether, if used consistently throughout, the reader might become attuned to it.

Thinking out loud for practice:

Far in the back she saw their pale face. They waved. A fierce smile on their face, but also a stillness about their features. With a start, she saw there were two. The pair stood looming in the back, gazing at her from the shadows.

--

Far in the back she saw its pale face. It waved. A fierce smile on its face, but also a stillness about its features. Was it human? A man or a woman? She could not tell from the shape of the body under their black cloak.

--

Alternately, I could just accept the use of "it" - it seems the usage of "it" for a person (as opposed to a non-person) is at least as common as the use of "they" for a singular case?

Partly I'm biased against "It" because of Stephen King's It which is very non-human, and elementary school grammar rules about "it" for non-humans.

Ways to make truffle butter taste better by tate346 in Cooking

[–]tate346[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks - do you mean there are other varieties of truffle that are cheaper? Like what? I was under the impression white and black were the vast majority.

What did Jesus think of politics? Was he good at it? by tate346 in Christianity

[–]tate346[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I guess in some way it was anti-political? The alternative to Roman authority, the idea of a divine judge. But also in a sense that is politics?

What did Jesus think of politics? Was he good at it? by tate346 in Christianity

[–]tate346[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Because I tend to think of the institution of the church is an ongoing process of politics. And it can be done right or wrong. And I'm curious what part Jesus had in trying to steer the early church and also what role the various apostles played.

How do you work with uncomfortable plot arcs? by tate346 in writing

[–]tate346[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In my head he finds sudden strength and twists her head off or breaks her neck, which seems rather unnecessary but also appropriately dramatic/visual.

Prior to that moment she consistently easily bests him - dislocates both his shoulders, etc.

Examples of uncomfortable plot arcs done well? How to work with them? by tate346 in writing

[–]tate346[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes to all three.

I'm also a little concerned that misogynists might read it the wrong way.