I think you did misunderstand me -- that is exactly what I said.

	'My friend Johanna _is_ non-binary and _uses_ "they" pronouns.'

The subject is "Johanna".  It is a reference to a person who uses "they" pronouns, but the verbs are singular, "is" and "uses".  Similarly, if you just used the phrase "my friend" as a reference to the non-binary Johana, the verb would be singular:
	'My friend _is_ non-binary and _uses_ "they" pronouns.'

But a pronoun referring to the same person elsewhere in the sentence would be plural to match their preference, producing a singular verb but plural pronoun:
	'My friend walks to _their_ car.

So, if the subject is a name, title, or other noun phrase (such as "my friend") referring to an individual who uses "they" pronouns, you use a singular verb, but would use the plural "they", "their", "their's", etc. if a pronoun referred to the individual elsewhere in the same sentence.

But if the subject is a _pronoun_ referring to a person who uses "they" pronouns, the verb is plural form to match the plural pronoun.
	'They _are_ vegan.'
Vs.
	'Johanna _is_ vegan.'

					Steve McDonald
					[log in to unmask]



-----Original Message-----
From: Code for Libraries <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Emily H.
Sent: Tuesday, June 7, 2022 5:06 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Grammar Checker - sites

>
> I misspoke a bit about individuals who use "they" pronouns.  The 
> pronouns for them would always be plural.  The verb gets more 
> complicated.  If the subject is a plural pronoun, the verb would also 
> be plural, but if the subject is a name, title, or phrase referencing 
> an individual, the verb would be singular.


I'm not sure if I'm misunderstanding you, but this has not been my experience with individuals who use "they" pronouns - the verb is conjugated to agree with plural "they," even when the subject is singular.
e.g.
My friend Johanna is non-binary and uses "they" pronouns. They are vegan.
They enjoy foraging for mushrooms and wild plants.

On Tue, Jun 7, 2022 at 3:43 PM McDonald, Stephen <[log in to unmask]>
wrote:

> I misspoke a bit about individuals who use "they" pronouns.  The 
> pronouns for them would always be plural.  The verb gets more 
> complicated.  If the subject is a plural pronoun, the verb would also 
> be plural, but if the subject is a name, title, or phrase referencing 
> an individual, the verb would be singular.  So you can get a mix of 
> singular verb and plural pronoun in those cases, which a grammar checker is not going to get right.
>
> The moral of the story, though, is that auto-grammar correctors will 
> not be perfect, so don't trust them completely.
>
>                                         Steve McDonald
>                                         [log in to unmask]
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Code for Libraries <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of 
> charles meyer
> Sent: Tuesday, June 7, 2022 4:04 PM
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: [CODE4LIB] Grammar Checker - sites
>
> Hi my esteemed listmates,
>
> I was wondering which sites others use to check for grammar?
>
> Grammar Girl and Grammar.com don't seem to allow you to type in a 
> phrase to check on its grammar.
>
> Ex. The community is invited to share their thoughts...
>
> Is that the correct matching of singular/plural nouns with pronouns?
>
> Thank you?
>
> Charles.
>
> Charles Meyer
> Charlotte County Public Library
> Port Charlotte, FL
>