GENDER
Men, boys, and male animals are masculine.
Women, girls and female animals are feminine.
Inanimate things are neuter.
Exceptions: Ships are normally considered feminine and so are countries when referred to by name.
Most nouns have the same form for masculine and feminine.
Eg. parent, child, cousin, author, painter, artist, rider, driver, cook, prisoner, singer, dancer, reporter, journalist,.
Some have different forms
Eg. brother - sister, uncle - aunt, nephew - niece, lord - lady, duke - duchess, cock - hen, drake - duck, horse - mare..
Some form the feminine from the masculine by adding ess. Note that the words ending in er or or often drop the o.
Eg. manager - manageress, actor - actress, conductor - conductress
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