Noun Genders | English Grammar for Class 6 PDF Download

What is Gender in Nouns?

In English grammar, gender is used to classify nouns based on their association with males, females, or neutral objects.

Types of Noun Genders

1. Masculine Gender: Refers to male living beings.
   Examples: Man, Boy, King, Lion, Father, Uncle
   
   
2. Feminine Gender: Refers to female living beings.
   Examples: Woman, Girl, Queen, Lioness, Mother, Aunt
   
   
3. Common Gender: Refers to nouns that can be used for both males and females.
   Examples: Teacher, Doctor, Student, Child, Friend
   
   
4. Neuter Gender: Refers to non-living things without life.
   Examples: Table, Book, Pen, Chair, Water, Air

Ways to Form Feminine Genders

1. By Adding ‘-ess’ to Masculine Nouns

   • Actor → Actress
   • Lion → Lioness
   • Poet → Poetess
     
     

2. By Using a Completely Different Word

   • King → Queen
   • Man → Woman
   • Husband → Wife
     
     

3. By Adding a Prefix or Suffix

   • Landlord → Landlady
   • He-goat → She-goat
     
     

4. By Changing the Word Partially

   • Hero → Heroine
   • Emperor → Empress

Examples of Masculine and Feminine Nouns

By making a change in the last part of the word: Some Feminine are formed by simply adding –ess to the Masculine.

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

 Note – Also note how the following Feminines are formed:

By adding a word after or before: The Feminine of a Compound Noun is formed by changing that part which shows the gender.

By changing the word: Many Nouns have different words for the Masculine and the Feminine.

Common Gender:
​

Key Points to Remember

• Some nouns do not change their form (e.g., cousin, teacher, singer).
• Neuter nouns are usually objects or elements of nature.
• Common gender nouns can be used for both males and females.