What is the correct pronoun in this sentence: "Either the teacher or the students should present (his or her, their) findings"?

In this sentence, the use of "his or her" is fitting because it maintains the singularity of "the teacher" while acknowledging gender-neutrality. The phrase "Either the teacher or the students" presents a compound subject, where "the teacher" is singular and "the students" is plural. When crafting an expression that refers back to a singular antecedent, such as "the teacher," "his or her" correctly aligns with this.

By balancing the singular pronoun with the plural context, the sentence retains clarity and ensures that the focus on the teacher (a singular entity) is not lost. Choosing "his or her" acknowledges that the findings could belong to either the teacher or the students, aligning with standard grammatical rules regarding singular and plural pronoun agreement.

While "their" might seem like a potential choice for inclusivity, it typically refers to groups and is often used informally in place of "his or her." In formal writing, maintaining precise pronoun agreements per the grammatical structure is crucial, making "his or her" the most suitable option here.