Introduction
What is Gender and Types of Gender?
In English grammar, Gender is a grammatical category that helps us classify nouns and pronouns as masculine, feminine, common, or neuter, based on the sex or characteristics of the person, animal, or thing they refer to.
The concept of gender makes our language more expressive and meaningful. By using gender correctly, we can clearly indicate whether we are talking about a male, female, neutral object, or something that could be either.
Table of Contents
What is Gender in Grammar?
Gender in grammar refers to the classification of nouns and pronouns according to the sex or identity of the living being or the nature of a non-living thing.
In English, gender is not as complex as in some other languages (like Hindi, French, or Spanish), but it still plays an important role in communication.
✅ Definition:
Gender is the grammatical classification of nouns and pronouns that shows whether they denote a male, female, both, or neither.
✅ Examples:
- Boy – Masculine Gender
- Girl – Feminine Gender
- Child – Common Gender
- Table – Neuter Gender
Types of Gender in English Grammar
In English grammar, gender is divided into four main types:
- Masculine Gender
- Feminine Gender
- Common Gender
- Neuter Gender
Let’s discuss each in detail 👇
1. Masculine Gender
Masculine gender refers to male beings — people or animals that are male by nature.
✅ Definition:
Nouns and pronouns that denote a male person or animal belong to the Masculine Gender.
✅ Examples:
- Man
- Boy
- Father
- King
- Bull
- Lion
✅ Sentences:
- The boy is playing football.
- A king rules the kingdom.
- The lion is known as the ruler of the jungle.
2. Feminine Gender
Feminine gender refers to female beings — people or animals that are female by nature.
✅ Definition:
Nouns and pronouns that denote a female person or animal belong to the Feminine Gender.
✅ Examples:
- Woman
- Girl
- Mother
- Queen
- Cow
- Lioness
✅ Sentences:
- The woman is a doctor.
- A queen rules the country wisely.
- The cow gives us milk.
3. Common Gender
Common gender is used for living beings that can be either male or female.
✅ Definition:
Nouns that can refer to both males and females are called Common Gender.
✅ Examples:
- Child
- Student
- Friend
- Teacher
- Doctor
- Baby
✅ Sentences:
- The teacher is explaining the lesson.
- My friend lives in Delhi.
- The baby is sleeping peacefully.
👉 Note: The gender here depends on the context. Example: The term “teacher” can represent both male and female individuals.
4. Neuter Gender
Neuter gender applies to non-living things that lack male or female distinction. or
The neuter gender represents inanimate objects without any biological sex. or
Neuter gender is used for things that are lifeless and have no sex. or
Neuter gender denotes non-living objects that do not possess any gender.
✅ Definition:
Nouns that denote non-living objects, things, or ideas without life are called Neuter Gender.
✅ Examples:
- Book
- Table
- Car
- House
- River
- Computer
✅ Sentences:
- The table is made of wood.
- My car is very fast.
- The computer is not working.
Table: Summary of Gender Types
| Type of Gender | Refers To | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | Male beings | Man, Father, King, Bull |
| Feminine | Female beings | Woman, Queen, Cow, Lioness |
| Common | Either male or female | Student, Doctor, Friend |
| Neuter | Non-living things | Book, Table, Car |
How Gender is Formed in English
English forms feminine nouns from masculine ones in three main ways:
1. By Adding a Suffix – “-ess”
| Masculine | Feminine |
|---|---|
| Actor | Actress |
| Waiter | Waitress |
| Lion | Lioness |
| Prince | Princess |
✅ Example: The actor won an award. The actress thanked her fans.
Read Also- What are Proverbs with Examples? | Meaning, Types, and Usage
2. By Using a Different Word Altogether
| Masculine | Feminine |
|---|---|
| King | Queen |
| Man | Woman |
| Father | Mother |
| Brother | Sister |
✅ Example: The king and queen ruled together.
3. By Adding a Word Before or After the Noun
| Masculine | Feminine |
|---|---|
| Grandfather | Grandmother |
| He-goat | She-goat |
| Man-servant | Maid-servant |
✅ Example: My grandmother told me a story.
Rules and Notes About Gender Usage
- Some nouns are gender-neutral — they can be used for both males and females (e.g., teacher, doctor, student).
- Animals can use masculine or feminine forms depending on gender (e.g., horse/mare, tiger/tigress).
- Objects and ideas (like beauty, truth, love) are always neuter gender.
- Inanimate objects may sometimes be personified as masculine or feminine:
- The sun is often called he.
- The moon or nature is often referred to as she.
Examples of Gender Words in Sentences
- The man is brave, but the woman is wiser.
- The king and queen reside in the royal palace.
- A doctor helps people recover.
- The river flows quietly through the village.
Common Gender Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Incorrect: The actress is very talented. He worked hard.
✅ Correct: The actress is very talented. She worked hard.
❌ Incorrect: The teacher said he will check her homework.
✅ Correct: The teacher said he or she will check the homework.
👉 Tip: Always match pronouns with the correct gender of the noun.
FAQs on Gender in English
Q1. How many types of gender are there in English grammar?
In English grammar, gender is divided into four types — masculine, feminine, common, and neuter.
Q2. Is “child” masculine or feminine?
We call “child” a common gender noun because it represents both male and female children.
Q3. Can non-living things have gender?
Grammatically, non-living things are neuter gender, but in literature, they are sometimes personified.
Q4. What is gender-neutral language?
It is the use of words that don’t specify male or female, such as “firefighter” instead of “fireman.”
Conclusion
Gender in English grammar is a simple yet important concept. It classifies nouns and pronouns as masculine, feminine, common, or neuter, helping us communicate more precisely.
- Masculine gender refers to males (boy, father).
- Feminine gender refers to females (girl, mother).
- Common gender includes both males and females (teacher, friend).
- Neuter gender covers non-living things (book, car).
Understanding gender improves sentence accuracy, clarity, and communication skills. By practicing regularly, you can master the correct usage of gender in English effortlessly.
