Page 17 - Grammar Grow - 4
P. 17
Formation of feminine gender by replacing one part of a compound words
Masculine Feminine Masculine Feminine
grandfather grandmother headmaster headmistress
grandson granddaughter peacock peahen
stepfather stepmother landlord landlady
brother-in-law sister-in-law manservant maidservant
A noun that refers to both male and female is said to be of the common gender.
Look at the pictures and read the following sentences.
Adil is a student. Nancy is a student.
The noun student is common for both Adil and Nancy, so it belongs to the common
gender.
A noun that denotes a non-living thing which is neither masculine nor feminine is
said to be of the neuter gender.
Look at the pictures and read the following sentences.
The book is on the table. This is an umbrella.
The nouns book, table and umbrella are the names of non-living things that are
neither masculine nor feminine, so these belong to the neuter gender.
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