Navigating a way around a singular problem

UNLIKE Geoffrey North, I don’t have a problem with the use of a plural verb with a singular noun if the subject is collective as in the case of “Leeds United are playing badly or “the company are making a profit” (“Two issues about misuse of English language” Yorkshire Post, March 26). In fact, wouldn’t it suggest a lack of education to say: “Leeds is playing badly”?

Nor can I help him in finding a neutral singular substitute other than “they” for “he” or “she” in a situation where it is necessary to postpone revealing the sex of a person. If it is any consolation, the French have no neutral personal pronoun such as “they” in their vaunted language; they have only “il” (masculine) and “elle” feminine) and their plural equivalents which, in the situation described, would give the show away.

Your correspondent would also like an alternative to the royal “one”. Well, if one does not want to sound pompous one uses “we” or “you” eg: “you’re not allowed to smoke in here”.

However, I’m afraid the French get the last word here: ordinary French folk use “on” (“one”) constantly and, therefore, without affectation.