No, generally you should not use 'he' for girls in modern English.
Historically, the pronoun 'he' was sometimes used to refer to a person of unspecified gender.
Historical Usage of 'He'
- Grammarians historically suggested using "he" in all its forms when referring to someone of either gender.
- This usage was meant to be inclusive when the gender was unknown or could be either male or female.
- For example, one might say, "If a student needs help, he should go to the library," even if the student could be a girl.
Modern Usage and Objections
- Around 30 years ago, people began objecting to using "he" in this way.
- They argued it excluded women and was sexist.
- Using "he" as a generic pronoun became increasingly problematic due to the perception that it favored men and made women invisible in language.
Modern Alternatives
- Today, it is preferred to use gender-neutral pronouns or rephrase the sentence to avoid using gendered pronouns when the gender is unknown or irrelevant.
- Common alternatives include:
- Using "they" (singular "they") as a gender-neutral pronoun.
- Using "he or she."
- Rephrasing sentences to avoid the need for a pronoun (for example, "A student needing help should go to the library").
- Using the phrase "he/she."
| Usage | Example |
|---|---|
| Historical | "A doctor needs to be responsible; therefore, he should follow the rules." |
| Modern Avoidance | "A doctor needs to be responsible; therefore, they should follow the rules." |
| Modern Avoidance | "A doctor needs to be responsible; therefore, he or she should follow the rules." |
| Modern Avoidance | "A doctor needs to be responsible and should follow the rules." |
Conclusion
Using 'he' to refer to a girl is considered incorrect and potentially offensive in modern English. It is best to use the person's correct pronoun or use a gender-neutral alternative.
