TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
I want to say, "To view a user's group and rights, highlight their name;
their individual information will appear in the Group and Rights portions
of the window." But using "their" with "a user" is bad grammar.
It's more grammatically correct to say, "To view a user's group and
rights, highlight his or her name; his or her individual information will
appear in the Group and Rights portions of the window. But "his or her"
turns the sentence into a gender issue and it always sound awkward.
Old problem. No solution. Suggestions?
**************REPLY FOLLOWS***************
How about this?
To view a user's group and rights, highlight the user's name;
the individual information will appear in the Group and Rights portions
of the window.