Gender in English grammar refers to the classification of nouns, pronouns, and sometimes other parts of speech based on concepts of male, female, or neither. English uses natural gender, meaning that pronouns and some words reflect the real-life gender of the person or animal being described. Additionally, neutral language avoids specifying gender, which helps include everyone and is especially useful in formal writing or when the gender is unknown.
Natural Gender
Natural gender means that gender in English grammar depends on the actual biological or social gender of the person or animal. For example, use “he” for males, “she” for females, and “it” for animals or things.
- Most nouns are not gendered (e.g., “teacher,” “doctor”).
- Pronouns reflect natural gender (he, she, it).
- Some animal names have separate masculine and feminine forms (e.g., “rooster” / “hen”).
Translate the following sentence using natural gender: 'The cat is sleeping. It is on the sofa.'
The cat is sleeping. It is on the sofa.
Animals like cats are usually referred to using the pronoun 'it' in natural gender English unless the animal's gender is specifically known.
Neutral Language
Neutral language avoids specifying gender. This is helpful when the gender is unknown, irrelevant, or to be inclusive of all gender identities.
- Use “they” as a singular pronoun (e.g., “Someone left their umbrella”).
- Use job titles and nouns that do not specify gender (e.g., “firefighter” instead of “fireman”).
- Rephrase sentences to avoid pronouns altogether (e.g., “Ask the manager” instead of “Ask him/her”).
Examples
Here are some examples showing natural gender and neutral language:
| Type | Singular (Male) | Singular (Female) | Singular (Neutral) | Plural (Neutral) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronoun | He | She | They | They |
| Noun (Job) | Actor | Actress | Actor | Actors |
| Noun (Job) | Waiter | Waitress | Server | Servers |
| Animal | Bull | Cow | Cow | Cows |
| Sentence | He left his book. | She left her book. | They left their book. | They left their books. |
- Use neutral plural forms (e.g., “actors,” “servers”) instead of creating new gendered singular nouns.
Identify the neutral singular form in this example: 'They left their book.'
They left their book.
The pronoun 'they' and possessive 'their' are used as gender-neutral singular forms when the person's gender is unknown or unspecified.
Tips
- When you don't know a person's gender, use "they" and singular verb forms (e.g., "They are here").
- Use neutral nouns that are already common (e.g., "police officer," "chairperson").
- Avoid using “-man” / “-woman” endings unless the gender is known and relevant.
- Be respectful of individuals’ preferred pronouns and names.
By understanding natural gender and using neutral language when appropriate, you can communicate respectfully and clearly in English.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
