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Principles of Nouns: Gender | English Class 8 PDF Download

Genders

There are four genders: 

  1. Masculine Gender: A noun that denotes a male person or animal is said to be of the masculine gender; e.g., tiger, emperor, prince, son, etc. 
  2. Feminine Gender: A noun that denotes a female person or animal is said to be of the feminine gender; e.g., tigress, empress, princess, daughter, etc.
  3. Common Gender:  A noun that denotes both a male and a female is said to be of the common gender; e.g., teacher, doctor, student, friend, parent, baby, etc. 
  4. Neuter Gender: Any noun that denotes a non-living thing is said to be of the Neuter gender; e.g., table, television, pen, desk, house, temple, mosque, etc.

FORMATION OF FEMININE GENDER OF NOUNS

There are three ways in which masculine nouns can be changed into feminine nouns.

1. By adding –ess to the masculine:

Masculine
Feminine
Masculine
Feminine
author
authoress
host
hostess
lion
lioness
giant
giantess
poet
poetess
priest
priestess
heir
heiress
shepherd
shepherdess

Sometimes the form is slightly changed before adding –ess:

Masculine
Feminine
Masculine
Feminine
actor
actress
prince
princess
tiger
tigress
emperor
empress
duke
duchess
master
mistress
god
goddess
waiter
waitress

 2. By using different words: 

Masculine
Feminine
Masculine
Feminine
boy
girl
gentleman
lady
man
woman
uncle
aunt
father
mother
bull
cow
brother
sister
horse
mare
dog
bitch
lord
lady
husband
wife
cock
hen
king
queen
bachelor
maid
sir
madam
nephew
niece
son
daughter
monk
nun

 3. Feminines of compound nouns – We change the chief word of compound nouns: 

Masculine
Feminine
Masculine
Feminine
grand-father
grand-mother
fisher-man
fisher-woman
pea-cock
pea-hen
land-lord
land-lady
he-goat
she-goat
cock-sparrow
hen-sparrow
milk-man
milk-woman
 
 

Note: Some more masculine and feminine forms of nouns: 

  • hero – heroine
  • widower – widow
  • bridegroom – bride
  • Mr. – Mrs.

The document Principles of Nouns: Gender | English Class 8 is a part of the Class 8 Course English Class 8.
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FAQs on Principles of Nouns: Gender - English Class 8

1. What are the different genders of nouns in English?
Ans. In English, nouns can be categorized into three main genders: masculine, feminine, and neuter. Masculine nouns refer to male entities (e.g., boy, man), feminine nouns refer to female entities (e.g., girl, woman), and neuter nouns refer to non-living things or those that do not have a specific gender (e.g., table, car).
2. How can I identify the gender of a noun?
Ans. To identify the gender of a noun, consider its meaning and context. Masculine nouns often denote male beings, while feminine nouns denote female beings. Neuter nouns typically refer to objects or concepts without gender. Additionally, some nouns have specific forms that indicate gender, like "actor" for males and "actress" for females.
3. Are there any exceptions to the rules of noun genders?
Ans. Yes, there are exceptions to noun genders. Some nouns are considered common gender, meaning they can refer to both males and females (e.g., teacher, doctor). Additionally, certain nouns may not fit neatly into masculine or feminine categories, and context can dictate their usage.
4. Why is it important to understand noun gender?
Ans. Understanding noun gender is important for proper communication and grammar. It helps in using pronouns correctly, forming agreements in sentences, and avoiding ambiguity. Recognizing gender can also enhance writing and speaking skills by allowing for more precise language use.
5. Can nouns change gender in different contexts?
Ans. Yes, some nouns can change gender depending on the context. For example, the word "parent" is gender-neutral and can refer to either a mother or a father. Additionally, certain professions have gender-specific terms (like "waiter" and "waitress"), but many modern usages prefer gender-neutral terms to promote inclusivity.
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