choice between "he or she" and "they"

[optimistic pessimist]

Dear all,

Q: How much rice does an avarage Japanese person eat every year?

A: [They eat/ He or she eats ] about 150 kilograms.

In the Question and Answer above, I think "They eat" sounds more natural than "He or she eats",but am I right? Or is there any other good way?

Thank you

OP

 

[Raymott]

I'd answer: "About 150 kg". Otherwise, I'd use 'they'.

 

[emsr2d2]

In my opinion, you've got three options:

1 - About 150 kilograms.
2 - They eat about 150 kilograms.
3 - The average Japanese person eats about kilograms.

I'd use 1 as my first choice, then 3, then 2.

I don't like the "he or she" option at all but it's not grammatically wrong.

(Cross-posted with Raymott)

 

[GoesStation]

The best answer would be simply "About 150 kilograms." Sentences responding directly to a question don't require a subject or a verb.

 

[bubbha]

Unless you are required to answer with a complete sentence (as is the case in many language classes), I would go with the most natural answer: "About 150 kilograms."

 

[Raymott]

Unless you are required to answer with a complete sentence (as is the case in many language classes), I would go with the most natural answer: "About 150 kilograms."

I'm glad you've finally cleared that up, and put to rest all those crazy doubts the thread has generated!