Feminine Gender
What Is the Feminine Gender? (with Examples)
Feminine gender is one of three genders in English grammar. The three genders for nouns and pronouns are: Here are the associated singular pronouns:| Gender | Pronoun | Possessive Adjective (a type of pronoun) | Absolute Possessive Pronoun |
|---|---|---|---|
| masculine pronouns | he Example: He is happy. | his Example: This is his car. | his Example: This is his. |
| feminine pronouns | she Example: She is happy. | her Example: This is her car. | hers Example: This is hers. |
| neuter pronouns | it Example: It is happy. | its Example: This is its bone. | its Example: This is its. (rare) |
Unless obviously male (e.g., man, boy, bull) or female (e.g., lady, vixen, sow), nouns tend to be neuter by default in English.
An animal can be referred to as it, or he or she when the sex is known. Large machines, such as ships and trains, which - by default - are neuter, are sometimes affectionally called she.
YOU CAN USE HE TO MEAN HE AND SHE
He is often used in formal writing to represent both he and she. Similarly, his is used for his and her. For example:
He is often used in formal writing to represent both he and she. Similarly, his is used for his and her. For example:
- Each employee is to place his/her name next to his/her locker.
(Not wrong, but too unwieldy)
- Each employee is to place his name next to his locker.
(An acceptable, common practice)
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