I regularly am asked about best practices for using “nontraditional” pronouns in stories. So here, ahead of Pride Month in June, I want to talk about a few of the most commonly asked situations.
When do we mention someone’s “preferred pronouns”?
Generally speaking, this will only come up in profiles or other stories that might focus specifically on one person or just a few people. General news stories or articles in which a person is only mentioned once or twice won’t need to get into it. In these cases it’s simple enough to write around it.
Also note: Please don’t use the phrase “preferred pronouns”! Although I used it here as an example of a question I see often, it’s better to simply describe a person’s pronouns as just that: their pronouns.
An example: Maggie, who uses the pronouns they/them, said they were looking forward to the new hire’s start next month.
How do we mention someone’s pronouns?
The example above is a great option for informing readers about the pronouns being used in a story. It’s best to let readers know if you’ll be using nontraditional pronouns to refer to someone so that they can be on the same page. But there’s no need to mention it more than once.
What about neopronouns?
Neopronouns are ones like xe or zim instead of the more familiar he, she, they. The University Style Guide’s stance is to generally avoid using these when possible, so as not to confuse or distract some readers. Of course, use your best judgment here.
Does singular they take a singular or plural verb?
Singular they is treated like that word would be in any other context: with a plural verb.
As an example: Maggie said they are going to the Chicago offices with their team next week.
Won’t readers get confused?
Some readers may be confused when these types of pronouns are used. As writers and editors, our job is to both represent our profile subjects honestly and respectfully while helping readers to understand what’s being said. A simple clarification when a person is introduced is usually enough to satisfy most readers. You know your audiences best, though; please feel free to use your own judgment to best reach your readers.
Other resources on pronouns:
Spectrum LGBTQ and Ally Employee Resource Group’s Pronoun Resources
Chicago Manual of Style 5.48: Singular “they”
A style update
A reader recently asked me an excellent question about some inconsistencies in how the style guide approaches academic degrees; namely, that when spelled out, some were capitalized and others were not.
After some discussion, we’ve made the decision to always lowercase spelled-out degree names: bachelor of arts, master of business administration, master of divinity, etc. (Abbreviations—B.A., MBA, M.Div.—have not changed.) The online style guide has been updated.
Different departments around campus often have their own approach to how these are styled. While I encourage consistency with the University Style Guide, departments are free to make their own decisions on this style.
Pop quiz
Which of these is grammatically correct?
Trick question—they’re both acceptable!
April pop quiz winner
Congrats to Amanda Gray Perry, communications and digital engagement specialist, Hesburgh Libraries, the winner of the April pop quiz!
What is the preferred style for full phone numbers? 574-631-5000
Though there is no one “right” way to style phone numbers, the preferred style for University content is using all hyphens. An important reason for this is that as of 2021, including the area code when dialing a number in this region is no longer optional.
Using parentheses around the area code, while still very common, gives readers the impression that the area code is optional. Now that the full 10-digit number is required to place calls, using hyphens throughout is the clearer option.
Because this is a relatively recent change, you’ll see several Notre Dame websites and other content still using the parentheses around the area code. This is a work in progress.
One note: For on-campus content, you’ll often see campus phone numbers styled as 1-6335. It’s shorthand for including the full number, since the vast majority of campus numbers start with 63X-XXXX. So long as you know your intended readers will understand this, it’s fine to style campus numbers this way.
What we’re reading
Quiz: You Can’t Say That! (Or Can You?)
The New York Times
The First 10 Words of the African American English Dictionary Are In
The New York Times
Latest Style Guide updates
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- academic degrees
- - bachelor of arts; B.A. in theology; bachelor’s degree in sociology
- master of business administration; master’s in business
- MBA, MFA, BFA, but Ph.D. (no periods if three or more capitalized letters)
- master of divinity; M.Div.
Note: Do not use Dr. unless you’re referring to a medical doctor.