Chapter 4 Writing Style and Word Usage

Correct Sentence Structure

良好的文章架构和句子结构可以使文章更有逻辑，也更有说服力。当词语处在句子中的合适位置时，读者可以轻易地从一个观点过渡到下一个，这样就能理解作者的意图。相反，当文章结构次序混乱时，读者就会一头雾水，无法理解作者的实际意思。

短小精悍的陈述句，是最容易书写和阅读的。它在表达上无疑是清晰的，然而过多的话就会显得生硬和乏味。这也给读者带来了很大负担，难以将全文连贯起来。为了增加句子的灵活度，使文思如泉涌，最好是先写一些短小的陈述句，再把它们结合起来，而不是写一些长而杂乱的句子，再绞尽脑汁地去缩短。两个及以上的简单句（只有一个主句而没有从句）可以合并为一个复合句。给简单句加一个或更多的从属分句就得到了复合句。分句（Clause）包括主语和谓语，如果它可以独立成句，它就是主句；如果不能独立成句，它就是从句。

Verbs

Voice

如果句子的主语是动词所表示动作的实行者，则它就是主动语态。主动动词的主语正在实施动词的行动。而对于被动语态，主语是动词所表示行动的受者。

➤ 当句子可以更加简洁直接时，用主动语态而不是被动语态。

POOR
The fact that such processes are under strict stereoelectronic control is demonstrated by our work in this area.

BETTER
Our work in this area demonstrates that such processes are under strict stereoelectronic control.

➤ 当动作的实施者是未知的或者不重要的，亦或者你不想指定他时，使用被动语态。

The solution is shaken until the precipitate forms.

Melting points and boiling points have been approximated.

Identity specifications and tests are not included in the monographs for reagent chemicals.

Tense

使用合适的动词时态可以帮助读者了解信息的性质。

➤ 你或者其他人在该研究中所做的工作可以用简单过去式（Simple past tense）来陈述。

Jones reviewed the literature and gathered much of this information.

We found that relativistic effects enhance the bond strength.

The structures were determined by neutron diffraction methods.

➤ 声明事实可以用现在时（present tense）。

Absolute rate constants for a wide variety of reactions are available.

Hyperbranched compounds are macromolecular compounds that contain a branching point in each structural repeat unit.

➤ 结果、讨论和结论的陈述用现在时或者简单过去式都可以。

The characteristics of the voltammetric wave indicate that electron transfer occurs spontaneously.

The absence of substitution was confirmed by preparative-scale electrolysis.

IR spectroscopy shows that nitrates are adsorbed and are not removed by washing with distilled water.

然而，在全文中，陈述结果、讨论和结论的时态必须统一，要么全用现在时，要么全用简单过去时，不能混用。

Other Forms

➤ 使用分离不定式（split infinitives）来避免笨拙和模糊是可以接受的。

AWKWARD
The program is designed to assist financially the student who is considering a career in chemistry.

BETTER
The program is designed to financially assist the student who is considering a career in chemistry.

AMBIGUOUS
The bonded phases allowed us to investigate fully permanent gases.

BETTER
The bonded phases allowed us to fully investigate permanent gases.

Subjects and Subject–Verb Agreement

➤ 使用第一人称来表示目的或决定，它也可以保持你的意思清晰。

Jones reported xyz, but I (or we) found ….

I (or we) present here a detailed study ….

My (or our) recent work demonstrated ….

To determine the effects of structure on photophysics, I (or we) ….

然而要避免使用“we believe”、“we feel”和“we can see”等表示主观意见的句子。

➤ 主语和谓语应该在人称和数方面保持一致。Chapter 9详细介绍了这一点。

Sentence Modifiers

可以在简单句中添加由短语或从句组成的修饰语来表示因果关系、时序或者比较等。

➤ 限制性短语或从句对于句子意思的表达是至关重要的。限制性修饰语并不用逗号来分隔。

Only doctoral students who have completed their coursework may apply for this grant.

Several systems that take advantage of this catalysis can be used to create new palladium compounds.

➤ 非限制性短语或从句为主句提供补充信息，对于句子意思的表达并不是必要的，换句话说，基本句的意思有它没它一样。非限制性修饰语要用逗号分隔。

Doctoral students, who often have completed their coursework, apply for this teaching fellowship.

Several systems, which will be discussed below, take advantage of this catalytic reaction.

➤ 错位修饰（misplaced modifier）是在句子中放错位置的修饰语，它会在无意中歪曲作者的原意。

INCORRENT
We commenced a new round of experiments unable to point to meaningful conclusions.

CORRECT
Unable to point to meaningful conclusions, we commenced a new round of experiments.

➤ 悬垂修饰语（dangling modifier）是指句子中同其他词没有明显修饰关系的成分。它与修饰整个句子的独立结构（absolute construction）不同。

INCORRENT
Adding 2 mL of indicator solution, the end point for the titration was reached.

CORRENT
Adding 2 mL of indicator solution, we reached the end point for the titration. When we added 2 mL of indicator solution, the end point for the titration was reached.

Sentence Construction and Word Order

➤ 使用肯定句，而不是双重否定句。

| INSTEAD OF | CONSIDER USING |
| -------- | ----- |
| This reaction is not uncommon. | This reaction is common. |
| | This reaction is not rare. |
| | This reaction occurs about 40% of the time. |
| This transition was not unexpected. | This transition was expected. |
| | We knew that such transitions were possible.|
| This strategy is not infrequently used. |This strategy is frequently used.|
| |This strategy is occasionally used.|
| This result is not unlikely to occur. | This result is likely to occur.|
| | This result is possible.|

➤ 注意单词“Only”的位置，它处在句子中的不同位置时有不同的意思。

Only the largest group was injected with the test compound. (Meaning: and no other group)

The largest group was only injected with the test compound. (Meaning: and not given the compound in any other way)

The largest group was injected with only the test compound. (Meaning: and no other compounds)

The largest group was injected with th e only test compound. (Meaning: there were no other test compounds)

➤ 确认代词所指明确，换句话说，在使用代词（“he”, “she”, “it”, or “they”）时，它所指代的名词应当是明显的，比如 “Isaac Newton”, “Marie Curie”, “the compound”, or “the research team”等，特别是对于“this” 和“that”的使用。如果有可能产生歧义，那就使用名词来阐明你的意思。

AMBIGUOUS
The photochemistry of transition-metal carbonyl complexes has been the focus of many investigations. This is due to the central role that metal carbonyl complexes play in various reactions.

UNAMBIGUOUS
The photochemistry of transition-metal carbonyl complexes has been the focus of many investigations. This interest is due to the central role that metal carbonyl complexes play in various reactions.

➤ 使用合适的从属连词（subordinating conjunctions）。（连词连接句子的不同部分；从属连词连接主句和从句。）“While”和“since”有强烈的时间内涵，不要在你想要表达“although”, “because”, or “whereas”的意思时使用它们。

POOR
Since solvent reorganization is a potential contributor, the selection of data is very important.

BETTER
Because solvent reorganization is a potential contributor, the selection of data is very important.

POOR
While the reactions of the anion were solvent-dependent, the corresponding reactions of the substituted derivatives were not.

BETTER
Although the reactions of the anion were solvent-dependent, the corresponding reactions of the substituted derivatives were not.

The reactions of the anion were solvent-dependent, but (or whereas) the corresponding reactions of the substituted derivatives were not.

Parallelism

排比，或者说平行结构，是使用同语法等级的词语或词组。同语法等级意味着词语只和词语连接，短语只和短语连接，从句只和从句连接，句子也只和其它句子连接。 通过并列连词（coordinating conjunctions）、关系连词（correlative conjunctions）和关系结构建立排比的结构。

➤ 并列连词是单个的词汇，比如“and”, “but”, “or”, “nor”,
“yet”, “for”等，有时“so”也算。

INCORRENT
Compound 12 was prepared analogously and by Lee's method (5).

CORRECT
Compound 12 was prepared in an analogous manner and by Lee's method (5).

➤ 关系连词是成对的词汇，比如“either … or”、“neither
… nor”、“both … and”、“not only … but also”和“not … but”等。

INCORRENT
The product was washed either with alcohol or acetone.

CORRECT
The product was washed with either alcohol or acetone.
The product was washed either with alcohol or with acetone.

INCORRENT
It is best to use alternative methods both because of the condensation reaction and because the amount of water in the solvent increases with time.

CORRECT
It is best to use alternative methods both because of the condensation reaction and because of the increase in the amount of water in the solvent with time.

INCORRENT
Not only was the NiH functionality active toward the C-donor derivatives but also toward the N donors.

CORRECT
The NiH functionality was active not only toward the C-donor derivatives but also toward the N donors.
The NiH functionality was not only active toward the C-donor derivatives but also active toward the N donors.
Not only was the NiH functionality active toward the C-donor derivatives, but it was also active toward the N donors.

➤ 关系结构是使用“as … as”的句子结构，比如“as well as”。

He performed the experiment as well as I could have done it.

➤ 当“but”不作为并列连词时，不要在它附近使用排比结构。

Increasing the number of fluorine atoms on the adjacent boron atom decreases the chemical shift, but only by a small amount.

The reaction proceeded readily, but with some decomposition of the product.

➤ 在序列和列表（series and lists）中使用平行结构，包括章节标题和副标题以及图的说明（figure captions）中的表格和列表等。

Comparisons

➤ 表示比较的介绍性短语要指向句子的主语，并在其后接一个逗号。

INCORRECT
Unlike alkali-metal or alkaline-earth-metal cations, hydrolysis of trivalent lanthanides proceeds significantly at this pH.

CORRECT
Unlike that of alkali-metal or alkaline-earth-metal cations, hydrolysis of trivalent lanthanides proceeds significantly at this pH.
Unlike alkali-metal or alkaline-earth-metal cations, trivalent lanthanides hydrolyze significantly at this pH.

INCORRECT

In contrast to the bromide anion, there is strong distortion of the free fluoride anion on the vibrational spectroscopy time scale.

CORRECT
In contrast to the bromide anion, the free fluoride anion is strongly distorted on the vibrational spectroscopy time scale.

➤ “compare to”比较两者的相似点，“compare with”比较两者的不同点。只有同类的事物才能进行比较。

Compared to compound 3, compound 4 shows an NMR spectrum with corresponding peaks.

Compared with compound 3, compound 4 shows a more complex NMR spectrum.

➤ 不能忽略那些影响比较的完整性的词语(比如"that", "those"等)，也不要用混乱的语序。从属连词 “than”在比较中用于引入第二个元素，其后跟随一个形容词或者副词的比较级。

INCORRECT
The alkyne stretching bands for the complexes are all lower than the uncoordinated alkyne ligands.

CORRECT
The alkyne stretching bands for the complexes are all lower than those for the uncoordinated alkyne ligands.
The alkyne stretching bands are all lower for the complexes than for the uncoordinated alkyne ligands.

INCORRECT
The decrease in isomer shift for compound 1 is greater in a given pressure increment than for compound 2.

CORRECT
The decrease in isomer shift for compound 1 is greater in a given pressure increment than that for compound 2.
The decrease in isomer shift in a given pressure increment is greater for compound 1 than for compound 2.

➤ 比较中常用的习语有 “different from”, “similar to”, “identical
to”, 和“identical with”等，一般不能分开来用。

INCORRECT
The complex shows a significantly different NMR resonance from that of compound 1.

CORRECT
The complex shows an NMR resonance significantly different from that of compound 1.

INCORRECT
Compound 5 does not catalyze hydrogenation under similar conditions to compound 6.

CORRECT
Compound 5 does not catalyze hydrogenation under conditions similar to those for compound 6.

例外：修饰习语中第一个词语的中间介词短语可以把习语分开。

The single crystals are all similar in structure to the crystals of compound 7.

Solution A is identical in appearance with solution B.

➤ 像“relative to”, “as compared to”,和“as compared with”之类的短语以及“versus”之类的词语也可以用来引入比较中的第二个元素，被比较的事物必须是相似的。

The greater acidity of nitric acid relative to nitrous acid is due to the initial-state charge distribution in the molecules.

The lowering of the vibronic coupling constants for Ni as compared with Cu is due to configuration interaction.

This behavior is analogous to the reduced Wittig-like reactivity in thiolate versus phenoxide complexes.

Correct Word Usage

作者所挑选的词语是作者风格的定义特征之一。然而词语的选择并不只有风格支配。文章的受众也会影响作者的选择。作者会选择那些受众所了解的词语，并定义那些受众不了解的。文件的类型也会影响作者的选择：学术论文、期刊文章和书籍等倾向于使用正式的语言；而电子邮件等则可以不拘小节。

选择正确的词汇来表意适于一本好词典，然而也需要理解两个几乎同义的两个单词或短语之间的微小差别，以及拼写相近但意义显著不同的单词或短语。最好使用词语的基本意义，避免使用那些生僻、不正式或者只有文学上使用的词语。一些词语在说出来时可以通过手势、表情和声调的变化来辅助表达你的意思，但是写出来时可能就没有那么清楚。

本章仅仅给出了少量在学术写作中常常被误用的一些词语和短语，请自行查阅关于词汇用法的参考资料以获得更全面的帮助。（Chapter 18 “References on Scientific Communication” 标题下罗列了一些这样的参考文献。）

Grouping and Comparison Words

➤ 使用“respectively”让两个序列在同一个句子中联系起来。

The excitation and emission were measured at 360 and 440 nm, respectively. (That is, the excitation was measured at 360 nm, and the emission was measured at 440 nm.)

➤ 使用更精确的措辞，比如“greater than”或者“more than”而不是不精确的 “over”或者“in excess of ”。

greater than 50% (not in excess of 50%)

more than 100 samples (not over 100 samples)

more than 25 mg (not in excess of 25 mg, not over 25 mg)

➤ 使用“fewer”来陈述数字；使用“less”来陈述数量。

fewer than 50 animals

fewer than 100 samples

less product

less time

less work

➤ 然而，对于带单位的数字，要使用“less”，因为它们被认为是单数。

less than 5 mg

less than 3 days

➤ 对于两个命名对象，使用“between”；s;对于三个或更多的命名对象，使用“among”。

Communication between scientists and the public is essential.

Communication among scientists, educators, and the public is essential.

Communication among scientists is essential.

Commonly Confused Words and Phrases

➤根据你的意思选择“myself”和“me”。“Myself” 是一个反身代词，仅仅用于主语是“I”的句子，而“me” 用作直接或间接宾语，或者介词的宾语。 “Myself”从来都不是“me”的替代品。

Please give a copy of the agenda to Anne and me. (not to Anne and myself)

I myself checked the agenda.

Cheryl and I checked the agenda. (not Cheryl and myself)

The agenda was checked by Barbara and me. (not by Barbara and myself)

➤ “due to”的意思是“attributable to”，仅用来修饰直接在它前面的名词或代词，或者跟在动词“to be”的形式之后。

Cutbacks due to decreased funding have left us without basic reference books.

The accuracy of the prediction is due to a superior computer program.

➤ 根据你的意思选择“based on”和“on the basis of ”。以“based on”开始的短语必须修饰直接在其前面或后面的名词或代词。用以“on the
basis of ”开始的短语来修饰动词。

The doctors' new methods in brain surgery were based on Ben Carson’s work.

On the basis of the molecular orbital calculations, we propose a mechanism thatcan account for all the major features of alkali and alkaline earth catalyzed gasification reactions. (not Based on …)

➤ 根据你的意思选择“assure”、“ensure”和“insure”。“to assure”意思是“to affirm”，证实，肯定;“to ensure”意思是“to make certain”，确定，落实; “to insure”意思是“to indemnify for money”，保险.

He assured me that the work had been completed.

The procedure ensures that clear guidelines have been established.

You cannot get a mortgage unless you insure your home.

➤ 根据你的意思选择“affect”、“effect”和“impact”。当“affect”被用作动词时，它的意思是影响（influence），调整（modify）或改变（change）。 当“effect”被用作动词时，它的意思是效果（to bring about），而作为名词，则是后果，结果（consequence, outcome, or result）。“Impact”是一个名词，意思是显著的后果。

The increased use of pesticides affects agricultural productivity.

The use of polychlorinated benzenes has an effect on the cancer rate.

The effect of the added acid was negligible.

The new procedure effected a 50% increase in yield.

The impact of pesticide use on health is felt throughout the world.

The acid did not have a great impact on the reaction rate.

➤ 使用“whether”来引入至少两个选择（alternatives），无论是声明的还是暗示的。

I am not sure whether I should repeat the experiment.

I am not sure whether I should repeat the experiment or use a different statistical treatment.

I am going to repeat the experiment whether the results are positive or negative.

使用“whether or not”来表示无论如何（“regardless of whether”）。

INCORRECT
I am not sure whether or not to repeat the experiment.

CORRECT
I am not sure whether to repeat the experiment.

Whether or not the results are positive, I will repeat the experiment.

Whether or not I repeat the experiment, I will probably leave the laboratory late tonight.

➤ 使用“to comprise”来表示包含（“to contain”）或组成（“to consist of ”）。它并不是“to compose”的同义词。整体包含（“comprise”）部分，或者说 整体由部分组成（“composed of”），但是不能说整体由部分包含（“comprised of”）。永远不要使用“is comprised of ”。

INCORRECT
A book is comprised of chapters.

CORRECT
A book comprises chapters.

A book is composed of chapters.

INCORRECT
Our research was comprised of three stages.

CORRECT
Our research comprised three stages.

Use of “A” and “An”

➤ 根据它们之后单词或缩写的发音来选择冠词“a”和“an” 。化学元素和同位素之前a”和“an”的用法见257和264页（Chapter 13）。

a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer

an NMR spectrometer

➤ Use “a” before an 送气音（aspirated ）“h”之前用“a”；元音字母a、e、i、o，以及软的或短的u和y之前用“an”。

a house, a history (but an hour, an honor)

a union, a U-14C (but an ultimate)

a yard (but an ylide, an yttrium compound)

➤ 根据第一个字母的读音选择以下头衔的合适冠词：B.A., B.S., M.A., M.S., and Ph.D.。

a B.S. degree

an M.S. degree

a Ph.D.

Words and Phrases To Avoid

➤ 不要用俚语（Slang）或者行话（Jargon）。

➤ 要简短精要。废话连篇会掩盖你的信息，使你的读者感到厌烦。

➤ 避免空洞的短语，比如

As already stated
It has been found that
It has long been known that
It is interesting to note that
It is worth mentioning at this point
It may be said that
It was demonstrated that

➤ 避免多余的话。

| INSTEAD OF | CONSIDER USING |
|---|---|
|It is a procedure that is often used.|This procedure is often used.|
|There are seven steps that must be completed.|Seven steps must be completed.|
|This is a problem that is ….|This problem is ….|
|These results are preliminary in nature.|These results are preliminary.|

➤ 使用单词而不是短语来更简洁精确地表达。

| INSTEAD OF | CONSIDER USING |
|---|---|
|a number of|many, several|
|a small number of |a few|
|are found to be| are|
|are in agreement| agree|
|are known to be |are|
|at present |now|
|at the present time| now|
|based on the fact that| because|
|by means of |by|
|despite the fact that |although|
|due to the fact that |because|
|during that time| while|
|fewer in number |fewer|
|for the reason that| because|
|has been shown to be |is|
|if it is assumed that| if|
|in color, e.g., red in color |just state the color, e.g., red|
|in consequence of this fact |therefore, consequently
|in length| long
|in order to| to
|in shape, e.g., round in shape |just state the shape, e.g., round|
|in size, e.g., small in size |just state the size, e.g., small|
|in spite of the fact that |although|
|in the case of … |in …, for …|
|in the near future |soon|
|in view of the fact that |because|
|is known to be| is|
|it appears that |apparently|
|it is clear that| clearly|
|it is likely that |likely|
|it is possible that| possibly|
|it would appear that |apparently|
|of great importance| important|
|on the order of| about|
|owing to the fact that| because|
|prior to| before|
|reported in the literature |reported|
|subsequent to |after|

➤ 科技论文中不要使用缩写。

INCORRECT
The identification wasn’t confirmed by mass spectrometry.

CORRECT
The identification was not confirmed by mass spectrometry.

➤ 不要用“plus” 或者加号作为“and”的同义词。

INCORRECT
Two bacterial enzymes were used in a linked-enzyme assay for heroin plus metabolites.

CORRECT
Two bacterial enzymes were used in a linked-enzyme assay for heroin and its metabolites.

➤ 在你想要表达separately” 或者“independently”D的时候，不要用“respectively”。

INCORRECT
The electrochemical oxidations of chromium and tungsten tricarbonyl complexes, respectively, were studied.

CORRECT
The electrochemical oxidations of chromium and tungsten tricarbonyl complexes were studied separately.

➤ A避免滥用由“with”引入的介词短语。

POOR
Nine deaths from leukemia occurred, with six expected.

BETTER
Nine deaths from leukemia occurred, and six had been expected.

POOR
Of the 20 compounds tested, 12 gave positive reactions, with three being greater than 75%.

BETTER
Of the 20 compounds tested, 12 gave positive reactions; three of these were greater than 75%.

POOR
Two weeks later, six more animals died, with the total rising to 25.

BETTER
Two weeks later, six more animals died, and the total was then 25.

➤ 不要用斜线表示“and” 或“or”。

INCORRECT
Hot/cold extremes will damage the samples.

CORRECT
Hot and cold extremes will damage the samples.

➤ R不要用“and/or” ，而是根据你的意思选择“and” 或“or”。

INCORRECT
Our goal was to confirm the presence of the alkaloid in the leaves and/or roots.

CORRECT
Our goal was to confirm the presence of the alkaloid in the leaves and roots.
Our goal was to confirm the presence of the alkaloid in either the leaves or the roots.
Our goal was to confirm the presence of the alkaloid in the leaves, the roots, or both.

➤ 如果你已经在会议上展示了你的结果，而现在要把这些结果写成文章来发表，那么你需要删去所有与会议相关的词语，比如“Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen”, “This morning we heard”, “in this symposium”, “at this meeting”, 以及“I am pleased to be here”等等。这些词语仅仅在你准确记录演讲的时候才合适。

➤ 避免使用“recently”。 你的文章或书籍会存在很长时间，但是这个单词会让它看起来在很短的时间内就会过时。

POOR
It was recently found that these effects enhance the bond strength.

BETTER
Harris and Harris (2006) found that these effects enhance the bond strength.

Gender-Neutral Language

美国政府和许多出版商正在努力地去鼓励人们使用中性语言（Gender-
neutral language）。中性语言也是许多化学家的目标。 最近样式指南和写作指南敦促编辑和作者来选择过时的强调性别角色的说法。中性语言是准确的，无偏见的，并不会产生尴尬。问题最大的词语是名词
“man”和它的代词“he”和“his”，但是也有一些合适的中性语言可以替代它们。仔细地选择一种说法，并在全文中保持一致。^[1]

➤ 用“people”, “humans”, “human beings”, or “human species”等词语来替换“man”。

OUTDATED
The effects of compounds I–X were studied in rats and man.

GENDER-NEUTRAL
The effects of compounds I–X were studied in rats and humans.

OUTDATED
Men working in hazardous environments are often unaware of their rights and responsibilities.

GENDER-NEUTRAL
People working in hazardous environments are often unaware of their rights and responsibilities.

OUTDATED
Man’s search for beauty and truth has resulted in some of his greatest accomplishments.

GENDER-NEUTRAL
The search for beauty and truth has resulted in some of our greatest accomplishments.

➤ 使用workers”, “staff ”, “work force”, “labor”, “crew”,
“employees”, 或者“personnel”来替换“manpower”。

➤ 使用synthetic”, “artificial”, “built”, “constructed”,
“manufactured”, 或者“factory-made”来替换“man-made”。

➤ 使用复数形式(“they” 和“theirs”) 或者第一人称(“we”, “us”和“ours”)来替换“he” 和“his”。或者，用“a”或“the”来代替它，甚至直接把它删除。“His or her”在没有滥用的情况下也是可以接受的。使用被动语态或者第二人称有时也是可以的。

OUTDATED
The principal investigator should place an asterisk after his name.

GENDER-NEUTRAL
Principal investigators should place asterisks after their names.
If you are the principal investigator, place an asterisk after your name.
The name of the principal investigator should be followed by an asterisk.

➤ 不要在单数的先行词后面使用复数形式的代词。

INCORRECT
The principal investigator should place an asterisk after their name.

CORRECT
The principal investigators should place asterisks after their names.

➤ 用“family” 或者“spouse” 来替换“wife”。

OUTDATED
The work of professionals such as chemists and doctors is often so time-consuming t their wives are neglected.

GENDER-NEUTRAL
The work of professionals such as chemists and doctors is often so time-consuming that their families are neglected.

OUTDATED
the society member and his wife

GENDER-NEUTRAL
the society member and spouse

1. 男女平等，反对性别歧视在美国是政治正确的，这也许是文明的体现吧。国内也有用Ta来表示无性别的第三人称，然而古代汉语中表示第三人称的是之字，本无性别之分。他和她都是西学东渐之后白话文运动时才产生的。同时产生的还有妳，不过只有台湾还在使用这个字了。 ↩