The gender of nouns is a fundamental aspect of many languages, including English. Understanding the gender of nouns is crucial for effective communication and can be particularly challenging for language learners. In this article, we will explore a list of gender of nouns in the English language, and provide examples to help you better understand their usage. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, understanding the gender of nouns is crucial for mastering a language. So, let’s get started!
Gender of Nouns
In the English language, gender plays a significant role in the categorization of nouns. The three genders of nouns in English are: masculine (i.e. man), feminine (i.e. woman), neuter (i.e. person). Masculine nouns refer to male beings, like “man” or “father”; feminine nouns refer to female beings, such as “woman” and “mother”; and neuter nouns do not specify a gender, examples include “person” and “child”.
Some nouns that indicate people may have different forms to describe masculine or feminine usage.
Masculine and Feminine Examples:
Man − Woman
Son – Daughter
Father − Mother
Husband – Wife
Some male and female animals also have different forms to indicate masculine or feminine usage
Masculine and Feminine Examples:
A cock – A hen
A bull – A cow
A drake – A duck
Determination of Gender in English Nouns
Inherent and Grammatical Gender
In English, nouns generally do not have a grammatical gender, unlike other languages such as French, Spanish, and German. Instead, English primarily relies on inherent gender – the natural, biological sex of a person or an animal. For inanimate objects and abstract concepts, gender is not assigned. In most cases, the pronouns and possessive determiners used with a noun (e.g., he, she, it, his, her, its) indicate the gender.
Gender Based on Biological Sex
For nouns referring to humans and animals, English often uses different words to specify their biological sex. Here are some examples:
- Man – Woman
- Father – Mother
- Son – Daughter
- Brother – Sister
- Bull – Cow
- Drake – Duck
In some cases, adding specific suffixes such as “-ess” or “-ette” can change a noun’s gender:
- Actor – Actress
- Host – Hostess
- Steward – Stewardess
- Bachelor – Bachelorette
Gender Based on Social Role or Occupation
For certain occupations and roles, historically, gender-specific nouns have been used. However, modern English encourages the use of gender-neutral terms to promote inclusivity. Some examples are:
- Policeman – Policewoman (Gender-neutral: Police officer)
- Fireman – Firewoman (Gender-neutral: Firefighter)
- Chairman – Chairwoman (Gender-neutral: Chairperson)
Masculine and Feminine Words List in English
- Masculine – Feminine
- Father – Mother
- Son – Daughter
- Brother – Sister
- Man – Woman
- Cock – Hen
- Bull – Cow
- Drone – Bee
- Gander – Goose
- Stag – Hind
- Gentleman – Lady
- Count – Countess
- Husband – Wife
- Lord – Lady
- King – Queen
- Monk – Nun
- Sir – Madam
- Uncle – Aunt
- Nephew – Niece
- Wizard – Witch
- Hart – Roe
- Drake – Duck
- Lion – Lioness
- Priest – Priestess
- Prophet – Prophetess
- Patron – Patroness
- Host – Hostess
- Viscount – Viscountess
- Shepherd – Shepherdess
- Steward – Stewardess
- Heir – Heiress
- Baron – Baroness
- Peer – Peeress
- Abbot – Abbess
- Emperor – Empress
- Traitor – Traitress
- Actor – Actress
- Benefactor – Benefactress
- Hunter – Huntress
- Tempter – Temptress
- Master – Mistress
- Tiger – Tigress
- Duke – Duchess
- Enchanter – Enchantress
- Songster – Songstress
- Hero – Heroine
- Sultan – Sultana
- Czar – Czarina
- Signor – Signora
- Manservant – Maidservant
- He-goat – She-goat
- Cock-sparrow – Hen-sparrow
- Bull-calf – Cow-calf
- Grandfather – Grandmother
- Landlord – Landlady
- Milkman – Milkmaid
- Peacock – Peahen
- Giant – Giantess
- Count – Countess
Gender of Nouns | Pictures
List of Genders Image 2
List of Genders Image 3
Genders List Video: Gender of Nouns
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the rules for determining noun gender in English?
In English, there are three genders of nouns: masculine, feminine, and neuter. Noun gender is not always directly related to the biological gender of the person or thing it represents. The gender of a noun is usually determined based on its meaning or usage, rather than strict linguistic rules. For example, “brother” and “father” are inherently masculine nouns, while “sister” and “mother” are feminine nouns. Inanimate objects and abstract concepts, such as “book” or “freedom,” generally fall under the neuter category.
How can you identify common gender nouns?
Common gender nouns are those that can refer to either a male or a female. These nouns group both feminine and masculine beings together, such as “parent,” “doctor,” or “teacher.” To identify a common gender noun, consider whether the noun can suitably represent a person of either sex in its given context. For instance, the word “child” can refer to a boy or a girl, making it a common gender noun.
What is the role of gender in English grammar?
While noun gender plays a significant role in languages with a more complex gender system, like Spanish or French, its role in English grammar is relatively simple. The main purpose of gender in English grammar is to help provide clarity and distinction in the language. Knowing the gender of a noun can help clarify the meaning of a sentence or indicate the relationship between nouns and pronouns.
NOUNS: Useful Grammar Rules, List & Examples
- Types of Nouns in English
- Collective Nouns Examples
- Possessive Nouns
- Countable & Uncountable Nouns
- List of Concrete Nouns
- Abstract Nouns List
- Regular Plural Nouns
- Irregular Plural Nouns
- Gender of Nouns
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