The distinguishing of neuter for persons and non-persons is somewhat peculiar to
English. This has existed since the 14th century. However, the use of the so-called
singular they is often restricted to specific contexts, depending on the dialect or the
speaker. It is most typically used to refer to a single person of unknown gender (eg,
"someone left their jacket behind").
Its use has expanded in recent years due to increasing social recognition of
persons who do not identify themselves as male or female. Note that the singular
they still uses plural verb forms, reflecting its origins.
For nouns, in general, gender is not declined in Modern English, or at best one
could argue there are isolated situations certain nouns may be modified to reflect
gender, though not in a systematic fashion. Loan words from other languages,
particularly Latin and the Romance languages, often preserve their gender-specific
forms in English, e.g. alumnus (masculine singular) and alumna
(feminine singular). Similarly, names borrowed this and that are
declined for number, as these and those. Some adjectives and -er
are than marking for masculine.
Many nouns can actually function as members of two
genders or even all three, and the gender classes of English
nouns are usually determined by their agreement with
pronouns, marking on the nouns themselves. Most adjectives
are not declined. However, when used as nouns rather than
adjectives, they do decline (e.g., "I'll take the reds", meaning
"I'll take the red ones" or as shorthand for "I'll take the red
wines").
Also, the demonstrative determiners this and that are
declined for number, as these and those. Some adjectives
borrowed from other languages are, or can be, declined for
gender, at least in writing: blond (male) and blonde
(female). Adjectives demonstrative determiners this.
The distinguishing of neuter for persons and non-persons is somewhat peculiar
to English. This has existed since the 14th century. However, the use of the socalled singular they is often restricted to specific contexts, depending on the
dialect or the speaker. It is most typically used to refer to a single person of
unknown gender (eg, "someone left their jacket behind"). Its use has expanded in
recent years due to increasing social recognition of persons who do not identify
themselves as male or female. Note that the singular they still uses plural verb
forms, reflecting its origins.
For nouns, in general, gender is not declined in Modern English, or at best one
could argue there are isolated situations certain nouns may be modified to reflect
gender, though not in a systematic fashion. Loan words from other languages,
particularly Latin and the Romance languages, often preserve their genderspecific forms in English, e.g. alumnus (masculine singular) and alumna (feminine
singular). Similarly, borrowed from other languages are, or can be, declined for
gender, at least in ( Paul and Paula, etc. Additionally, suffixes such as -ess, -ette,
and -er are sometimes overtly gendered versions of nouns.
Marking for feminine is much more common than marking for masculine.
Many nouns can actually function as members of two genders or even all three,
and the gender classes of English nouns are usually determined by their
agreement with pronouns, rather than marking on the nouns themselves.
Most adjectives are not declined. However, when used as nouns rather than
adjectives, they do decline (e.g., "I'll take the reds", meaning "I'll take the red
ones" or as shorthand for "I'll take the red wines"). Also, the demonstrative
determiners this and that are declined for number, as these and those. Some
adjectives borrowed from other languages are, or can be, declined for gender, at
least in writing: blond (male) and blonde (female).
Adjectives demonstrative determiners this and that are declined for number,
as these and those. Some adjectives borrowed from other languages are.
The distinguishing of neuter for persons and non-persons is somewhat peculiar to English. This
has existed since the 14th century. However, the use of the so-called singular they is often
restricted to specific contexts, depending on the dialect or the speaker. It is most typically used to
refer to a single person of unknown gender (eg, "someone left their jacket behind"). Its use has
expanded in recent years due to increasing social recognition of persons who do not identify
themselves as male or female. Note that the singular they still uses plural verb forms, reflecting its
origins.
For nouns, in general, gender is not declined in Modern English, or at best one could argue there
are isolated situations certain nouns may be modified to reflect gender, though not in a systematic
fashion. Loan words from other languages, particularly Latin and the Romance languages, often
preserve their gender-specific forms in English, e.g. alumnus (masculine singular) and alumna
(feminine singular). Similarly, names borrowed from other languages show comparable
distinctions: Andrew and Andrea, Paul and Paula, etc. Additionally, suffixes such as -ess, -ette,
and -er are sometimes applied to create overtly gendered versions of nouns, with marking for
feminine being much more common than marking for masculine. Many nouns can actually
function as members of two genders or even all three, and the gender classes of English nouns are
usually determined by their agreement with pronouns, rather than marking on the nouns
themselves.
Most adjectives are not declined. However, when used as nouns rather than adjectives, they do
decline (e.g., "I'll take the reds", meaning "I'll take the red ones" or as shorthand for "I'll take the
red wines"). Also, the demonstrative determiners this and that are declined for number, as these
and those. Some adjectives borrowed from other languages are, or can be, declined for gender, at