Gender and Number

 

Gender and Number in English Grammar

Understanding gender and number in English grammar is essential for proper communication. These concepts help us determine how words change depending on their reference to males, females, or neutral entities (gender), and whether they are singular or plural (number). In this blog post, we will explore their definitions, structures, usage, examples, and exercises to reinforce learning.

1. Definition

• Gender: In grammar, gender refers to the classification of nouns and pronouns based on sex. English has three main gender categories:

  • Masculine (e.g., man, boy, actor)
  • Feminine (e.g., woman, girl, actress)
  • Neutral/Common (e.g., teacher, doctor, table)

• Number: Number refers to whether a noun, pronoun, or verb is singular (one) or plural (more than one).

  • Singular (e.g., cat, book, child)
  • Plural (e.g., cats, books, children)

2. Structure

Gender in Nouns and Pronouns

• Masculine nouns: Used for male beings (e.g., king, father, uncle).
• Feminine nouns: Used for female beings (e.g., queen, mother, aunt).
• Neutral nouns: Used for objects and sometimes professions (e.g., table, chair, doctor).
• Pronouns and gender:
  • Masculine: he, him, his
  • Feminine: she, her, hers
  • Neutral/Common: they, them, their (used for general reference or non-binary individuals)

Number in Nouns and Verbs

• Most nouns form the plural by adding -s or -es (e.g., dog → dogs, box → boxes).
• Some irregular nouns change completely (e.g., child → children, man → men).
• Verbs change according to the subject:
  • Singular: He walks to school.
  • Plural: They walk to school.

3. How to Use Them

Gender Usage

1. Use gender-neutral words when possible: Instead of policeman, say police officer.
2. When referring to an unknown person, use they/them: If a student needs help, they should ask the teacher.
3. Be mindful of outdated gendered terms: Instead of stewardess, say flight attendant.

Number Usage

1. Ensure subject-verb agreement:
   • Singular: The dog runs fast.
   • Plural: The dogs run fast.
2. Pay attention to irregular plurals:
   • One mouse → two mice
   • One foot → two feet
3. Some nouns remain the same in singular and plural:
   • Sheep, deer, fish

4. Examples

Gender Examples

• My uncle is a doctor. (Masculine)
• Her aunt loves to cook. (Feminine)
• The teacher explained the lesson well. (Neutral/Common)
• Alex said they will arrive at 5 PM. (Gender-neutral pronoun)

Number Examples

• Singular: The child is playing in the park.
• Plural: The children are playing in the park.
• Irregular: One woman → Two women
• Same Singular and Plural: I saw three deer in the forest.

5. Practical Exercises

Exercise 1: Identify Gender and Number

Look at the following sentences and identify the gender and number of the bold words.

1. The king ruled wisely.
2. Three men arrived at the station.
3. The nurse is very kind.
4. A child is playing outside.
5. The mice ran under the table.

Exercise 2: Convert Singular to Plural

Rewrite the following singular nouns in plural form.

1. Woman → __________
2. Tooth → __________
3. City → __________
4. Baby → __________
5. Fish → __________

Exercise 3: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct gender or number.

1. My (brother/sister) is older than me.
2. The three (cat/cats) are sleeping on the couch.
3. A (man/woman) won the race.
4. I saw five (child/children) playing soccer.
5. The (actor/actress) received an award.

Before you go, reflect on these questions:

• How can gender affect word choice in English?
• Why is it important to use gender-neutral language in communication?
• Can you list three singular and three plural nouns you use daily?

Understanding gender and number will help you improve your English grammar and communicate more clearly. Keep practicing, and stay tuned for more lessons at EngFluentClass! Leave a comment with your answers to the exercises!