To start...or For Starting

[westerneagle]

The chairman has the responsibility to start the meeting on time.

or

The chairman has the responsibility for starting the meeting on time.

Is one 'more correct' than the other????

Thanks

[StuartR]

They are both a bit clumsy, how about "The chairman is responsible for starting the meeting on time". We no longer use the term chairman due to it's gender connotations, the preferred term here is now "The chair is responsible for starting the meeting on time."

[westerneagle]

Thanks Stuart....
That sounds better.

(Ha!, In this meeting, all of the 'chair' are men, so I guess both could be used)

[John Gray]

"The chair must start the meeting on time"?

[westerneagle]

Ah....less is more!

[viking33]

"The chair must start the meeting on time"?

OR, the head honcho will start talking first?

[Bigaldoc]

I've had a problem with this politically correct and non-gender lingo for quite some time, but who am I to complain!

A "chair" is an inanimate object and (in my mind) does NOT describe a person. People and chairs are not the same. Boo, hiss to all the PC mongers in the world.

My letter carrier used to be called a postman and now is known as a mail carrier and that's OK with me. A garbage man is now called a refuse collector and that's OK with me too.

But a "chair?" No way...

[viking33]

I've had a problem with this politically correct and non-gender lingo for quite some time, but who am I to complain!

A "chair" is an inanimate object and (in my mind) does NOT describe a person. People and chairs are not the same. Boo, hiss to all the PC mongers in the world.

My letter carrier used to be called a postman and now is known as a mail carrier and that's OK with me. A garbage man is now called a refuse collector and that's OK with me too.

But a "chair?" No way...

How about the Seat of government?
That kinda fits today's lawmakers.

[BobH]

I was taught (more than half a century ago) that an infinitive (to start) is a stronger form than a gerund (for starting). I'm certain that was an opinion. I know nothing about what might have informed that opinion. Heck . . . I'm not even certain that I properly identified an infinitive.

[John Gray]

The word "chair" (of meetings) is non-gender-specific. Rather like the use of "their" instead of "her/his", as in "The visitor hung their coat on the coat-stand". It's not a particularly elegant form, but it serves a purpose.

Instead of "chair" would you have preferred "Madam Chairperson"?!

[Bigaldoc]

... like the use of "their" instead of "her/his", as in "The visitor hung their coat on the coat-stand"...

My background in language is so old, I don't know why I feel the way I do about some things, but to me the word "their" is plural and I wouldn't use it as your example. Nor would I say "The boy hung their coat ..."

Instead of "chair" would you have preferred "Madam Chairperson"?!

Better than "Madam Chair."

Just my thoughts but what do I know...

[StuartR]

I have always thought of "their" as plural, but the usage has changed over the years and it is now often used as a gender neutral pronoun.

I would not expect anyone to say "The boy hung their coat...", but I would expect to hear "The nurse hung their coat..." or "The doctor hung their coat..."

[Skitterbug]

... like the use of "their" instead of "her/his", as in "The visitor hung their coat on the coat-stand"...

My background in language is so old, I don't know why I feel the way I do about some things, but to me the word "their" is plural and I wouldn't use it as your example. Nor would I say "The boy hung their coat ..."

Instead of "chair" would you have preferred "Madam Chairperson"?!

Better than "Madam Chair."

Just my thoughts but what do I know...

For some reason, I remember from lessons that a singular noun used singular pronouns, verbs, etc. So boy is one person and boys are two people or more. Boy is - boys are - boy hangs his coat - boys hang their coats.......

I too am tired of political correctness when it becomes silly.

added: To me doctor is one and doctors are more than one....the same goes for nurse or nurses. There is a difference!

[DaveA]

Skitter and BigAl are on spot, and correct. Next we will HAVE to start accepting all of these new "TXTING" short words as being correct. Some schools already are accepting them in their term papers.

[StuartR]

Skitter and BigAl are on spot, and correct...

It's not a matter of correct or incorrect. Language use changes with time, and this usage of "their" as a gender neutral pronoun is now very common in some places. Whether this will become an accepted usage everywhere, or will die out over time, none of us can know yet.

[viking33]

Skitter and BigAl are on spot, and correct...

It's not a matter of correct or incorrect. Language use changes with time, and this usage of "their" as a gender neutral pronoun is now very common in some places. Whether this will become an accepted usage everywhere, or will die out over time, none of us can know yet.

Not a language expert but I always thought of "their" as being a possessive pronoun?
Edited to add:

phonics.jpg

[westerneagle]

So.... I will use....

The Seat will start their meeting on time!

[BobH]

Skitter and BigAl are on spot, and correct...

It's not a matter of correct or incorrect. Language use changes with time, and this usage of "their" as a gender neutral pronoun is now very common in some places. Whether this will become an accepted usage everywhere, or will die out over time, none of us can know yet.

Not being a relativist pedant, I still choose to believe that there are correct and incorrect usages (just as there are 'right' and 'wrong' behaviors). "Their" is third person plural possessive and requires a plural verb form. Any other usage is incorrect. Of course, in today's education environment high test scores in order to preserve the teacher jobs (outside Wisconsin and California) are more important than actual learning occurring.

Here in TX, we would agree with BigAl about political correctness. We equate it to trying to pick up canine fecal matter from the clean end.

[wasbit]

When the forum has finished dissecting chairs can they please start on manholes. :)

[westerneagle]

That would have to be a 'guyhole'

guy1    
[gahy] Show IPA
noun, verb, guyed, guy·ing.
–noun
1.
Informal . a man or boy; fellow: He's a nice guy.
2.
Usually, guys. Informal . persons of either sex;