Section: Inclusive writing
Go to the main page of this section: Inclusive writing – Guidelines and resources.
On this page
Introduction
Occasionally, using the relative pronoun “who” (or its forms “whom” and “whose”) can make your writing gender-inclusive.
| Gendered sentence | Inclusive solution |
|---|---|
| If an applicant disagrees with the tribunal’s decision, he may appeal to a higher court. | An applicant who disagrees with the tribunal’s decision may appeal to a higher court. |
Guidelines for using the pronoun “who”
This technique applies to a very specific situation: it can be used when the sentence contains a clause beginning with “when” or “if” (or a synonym such as “provided that,” “on condition that” or “as long as”). If this is the case, removing the gendered pronoun and restructuring your sentence with “who,” “whom” or “whose” will make your sentence inclusive.
| Gendered sentence | Inclusive solution |
|---|---|
| When a child comes to school with flu symptoms, he or she will be sent home. | A child who comes to school with flu symptoms will be sent home. |
| A firefighter is qualified to inspect your home for fire safety if she has taken the required training. | A firefighter who has taken the required training is qualified to inspect your home for fire safety. |
| A client is entitled to a refund from a defaulting contractor, on condition that the client has entered into a valid contract with him. | A client is entitled to a refund from a defaulting contractor with whom the client has entered into a valid contract. |
| This tax-saving measure will benefit any single parent, provided her children are eligible under the program. | This tax-saving measure will benefit any single parent whose children are eligible under the program. |
Additional information
Copyright notice for Writing Tips Plus
© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, represented by the Minister of Public Services and Procurement
A tool created and made available online by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada
Search by related themes
Want to learn more about a theme discussed on this page? Click on a link below to see all the pages on the Language Portal of Canada that relate to the theme you selected. The search results will be displayed in Language Navigator.
Related links
- Writing Tips Plus (home page)
- Writing tools
- Language Navigator (for fast access to language tips)
- TERMIUM Plus®