Dear all,
 
Thanks to everyone who so kindly responded to my questions on count vs. noncount nouns. Please let me know if you would prefer that ongoing teaching questions not be directed to the list; I am teaching grammar for the first time, and I remain very grateful for the chance to vet questions here.
 
My new question involves the use of "they" or "their" with singular nouns to avoid gender bias; e.g., Each student should leave their assignment with the techer.
 
Obviously, recasting the noun as plural is the most elegant solution. However, Longman and many other authorities, including _Chicago Manual of Style_, accept the use of they and their, but Hacker's _Rules for Writers_ rails against it, preferring the awkward phrasing of "he or she" or "his or hers."
 
Here's my question: I side with the use of the plural pronoun, but I don't know whether or not standardized tests on grammar and usage disagree. Does anyone know whether the new SAT grammar section and essay penalize for this usage?
 
Thanks,
Natalie Gerber
SUNY Fredonia

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