In English grammar, gender refers to the classification of nouns and pronouns based on their sexual characteristics. It's a way of categorizing words into different groups according to their association with male or female attributes. This categorization extends beyond just nouns and pronouns to include verbs and adjectives, depending on the gender-related qualities of the words they modify.
There are four main types of gender:
Masculine Gender:
Definition: This gender category includes nouns that represent male entities.
Examples: man, king, father, brother, tiger, etc.
Usage: The man was waiting outside for his food. My father is driving right now.
Feminine Gender:
Definition: This gender type comprises nouns representing female entities.
Examples: queen, girl, mother, actress, lady, etc.
Usage: The girl was waiting for her mother. The queen of England will be leaving her throne soon.
Common Gender:
Definition: This gender category includes nouns that can represent either male or female entities. The sexual identity of these nouns is not specified.
Examples: teacher, cousin, friend, student, etc.
Usage: My cousin will visit me on Wednesday. The student is not willing to give the exam.
Neuter Gender:
Definition: This gender category includes nouns that are neither male nor female; they are inanimate objects.
Examples: table, book, pen, bus, etc.
Usage: I want a new pen. The school is opening tomorrow.
Forming the feminine of nouns with details:
1. By using an entirely different word:
Masculine | Feminine |
Bachelor | Maid; Spinster |
Brother | Sister |
Bullock | Heifer |
Colt | Filly |
Drake | Duck |
Father | Mother |
Gentleman | Lady |
Husband | Wife |
Man | Woman |
Nephew | Niece |
Son | Daughter |
Wizard | Witch |
Boy | Girl |
Bull (or ox) | Cow |
Cock | Hen |
Dog | Bitch |
Drone | Bee |
Gander | Goose |
Horse | Mare |
King | Queen |
Monk | Nun |
Sir | Madam |
Stag | Hind |
English man | English woman |
He-mule | She-mule |
Stallion | Mare |
Sales man | Sales girl |
Tutor | Governess |
Drone | Bee |
Brother-in-law | Sister-in-law |
Son-in-law | Daughter-in-law |
Maternal-uncle | Maternal-aunt |
Step-son | Step-daughter |
Hostess | Steward |
Widow | Widower |
Brother-in-law | Sister-in-law |
Human Masculine and Feminine Gender | Human Masculine and Feminine Gender |
2. By adding a syllable (-ess, -ine, -trix, -a, etc.):
Masculine | Feminine |
author | authoress |
count | countess |
heir | heiress |
Jew | Jewess |
manager | manageress |
patron | patroness |
priest | priestess |
baron | baroness |
giant | giantess |
host | hostess |
lion | lioness |
mayor | mayoress |
poet | poetess |
shepherd | shepherdess |
Note: In the following, -ess is added after dropping the vowel of the masculine ending!
Masculine | Feminine |
actor | actress |
conductor | conductress |
hunter | huntress |
negro | negress |
prince | princess |
traitor | traitress |
master | mistress |
benefactor | benefactress |
founder | foundress |
instructor | instructress |
emperor | empress |
tiger | tigress |
waiter | waitress |
murderer | murderess |
Note: The suffix -ess is the commonest suffix used to form feminine nouns and is the only one currently used in forming a new feminine noun.
Masculine | Feminine |
hero | heroine |
fox | vixen |
sultan | sultana |
3. By placing a word before or after:
Masculine | Feminine |
grandfather | grandmother |
manservant | maidservant |
milkman | milk-woman |
salesman | saleswoman |
great-uncle | great-aunt |
landlord | landlady |
peacock | peahen |
More Examples:
Masculine Noun | Feminine Noun |
Actor | Actress |
Waiter | Waitress |
Lion | Lioness |
Horse | Mare |
Bull | Cow |
Emperor | Empress |
Monk | Nun |
Policeman | Policewoman |
Manager | Manageress |
Fireman | Firewoman |
Wizard | Witch |
God | Goddess |
Teacher | Teacher (female) |
Prince | Princess |
Priest | Priestess |
Brother-in-law | Sister-in-law |
Bull | Cow |
Son-in-law | Daughter-in-law |
Grandson | Granddaughter |
Son | Daughter |
Count | Countess |
Father | Mother |
King | Queen |
Husband | Wife |
Male | Female |
Gentleman | Lady |
Boy | Girl |
Husband | Wife |
Father-in-law | Mother-in-law |
Groom | Bride |
Prince | Princess |
Duke | Duchess |
Son-in-law | Daughter-in-law |
Actor | Actress |
Waiter | Waitress |
Lion | Lioness |
Horse | Mare |
Bull | Cow |
Emperor | Empress |
Monk | Nun |
Policeman | Policewoman |
Manager | Manageress |
Fireman | Firewoman |
Wizard | Witch |
God | Goddess |
Teacher | Teacher (female) |
Prince | Princess |
Priest | Priestess |
Brother-in-law | Sister-in-law |
Bull | Cow |
Son-in-law | Daughter-in-law |
Grandson | Granddaughter |
Son | Daughter |
Count | Countess |
Father | Mother |
King | Queen |
Husband | Wife |
Male | Female |
Gentleman | Lady |
Boy | Girl |
Husband | Wife |
Father-in-law | Mother-in-law |
Groom | Bride |
Prince | Princess |
Duke | Duchess |
Son-in-law | Daughter-in-law |
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