Noun - Gender

Gender is a category of noun.  

 

There are four types of Genders.

1) Masculine Gender:

 
The names of all male persons or animals are said to be of the Masculine Gender.
Example: man, actor, uncle, hero, king, lion etc.

2) Feminine Gender:

 
The names of all female persons or animals are said to be of the Feminine Gender.
Example: woman, aunt, daughter, actress, queen, lioness etc.

3) Neuter Gender:

 
Things without life cannot be distinguished either as male or female;
hence the names of such things are said to be of the Neuter Gender.
Example: house, knife, tree, chair, table, book, ball etc.

4) Common Gender: 

 
Names that can be used for both males and females are said to be of the Common Gender.
Example: child, parent, student etc.

 

Methods to form Feminine Noun from Masculine Noun

1. By making change in the last part of the word.
2. By adding a word after or before.
3. By changing the word.

1) By making change in the last part of the word

• Some Feminine are formed by simply adding –ess to the Masculine.

Feminine formed by adding –ess to the Masculine

 

 

• Sometimes the form is slightly changed before –ess is added.

Feminine formed by slightly changing letters before –ess is added.

Note – Also note how the following Feminines are formed:

Exceptional Case

2) By adding a word after or before

The Feminine of a Compound Noun is formed by changing that part which shows the gender. 

 

Feminine formed by adding a word after or before

3) By changing the word

Many Nouns have different words for the Masculine and the Feminine. 

 

Feminine formed by changing the word 

Common Gender

Example:

Common gender

Neuter Gender

Example: 

When a Noun changes from Masculine to Feminine, the Pronoun in the sentence must change too.

Example:

Note:

1. Though Collective Nouns refer to living-beings but are used as Neuter-Noun. For Example: The army is called to tackle the situation.

2. Objects known for their power, strength, and violence are used as Masculine Gender Noun. For Example: The death is cruel. He is as certain as tomorrow.

3. Objects known for their beauty, gentleness and grace are used as Feminine-Gender Noun. For Example: The earth is a unique planet. Her beauty is adorable.
Noun-Gender - Questions

Practice Exercise

Q1)Write the feminine form of the following:
husband	_______________________
gentleman	_______________________
shepherd	_______________________
emperor	_______________________
horse	_______________________
waiter	_______________________
widower	_______________________
uncle	_______________________
nephew	_______________________
boy	_______________________
peacock	_______________________
Washer-man	_______________________
son	_______________________
bridegroom	_______________________
hero	_______________________
milk-man	_______________________

 

Q2) Write the Masculine form of the following:
queen	_______________________
actress	_______________________
niece	_______________________
hostess	_______________________
tigress	_______________________
landlady	_______________________
authoress	_______________________
mistress	_______________________
nephew	_______________________
madam	_______________________
countess	_______________________
mare	_______________________
mother	_______________________
witch	_______________________
lass	_______________________
wife	_______________________

 

Q3) Change the gender in the following sentences.

a.   She met that girl at the club.      b.   This lady is rowing a boat.      c.   He told his teacher the truth.     d.   The cow ate the green grass.     e.   A tiger is a savage animal.     f.    A mouse is a tiny animal.     g.   A boy is playing in the park.                  h.   Her friend is a good actress.     i.     My aunt sent me a present.     j.    Hero of this movie is not a native of this country.

Q4) Identify the words if they are masculine, feminine, neuter, or common gender noun.
Hunter
Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Common
Applicant
Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Common
Computer
Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Common
Spinster
Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Common
Police-man
Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Common
Governor
Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Common
Heroine
Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Common
Son-in-law
Masculine	Feminine	Neuter	Common