Aug 22 2008
Organizations Are Not People
Companies and other organizations are comprised of people, but they are not people. The following sentences illustrate an extremely common mistake writers make. Can you guess what it is?
- The IRS has decided they will be more lenient with taxpayers.
- The local Lions Club, who sponsored the event last year, raised over $100,000.
- Apple Computers underestimated the market demand for their new iPhone.
So what’s wrong with these three sentences? Aside from the fact that the IRS will never be more lenient with taxpayers, each sentence refers to a company or organization as if it were a person, using words such as “they,” “who” and “their.” Because organizations are not people, the sentences should be edited to read:
- The IRS has decided it will be more lenient with taxpayers.
- The local Lions Club, which sponsored the event last year, raised over $100,000.
- Apple Computers underestimated the market demand for its new iPhone.
One last note: Don’t make the opposite mistake and refer to a person as an “it.” This could result in undesirable consequences, ranging from unspoken resentment to a broken nose.
The punch line is brilliant!
This is always such an interesting blog to visit and read! I teach English and have recommended it to all of my students! Cherrio, mate.
“each sentence refers to a company or organization as if it were a person, using words such as “they,” “who” and “their.” “Because organizations are not people…” you said?
The US Supreme Court thought otherwise when, in 1886, it granted constitutional rights to corporations as if these entities were living persons. We should, therefore, be pleased to give these entities “their” full measure of recognition.
great advice!