Neuter Gender Examples and How to Identify Them
Neuter gender in English grammar helps us classify nouns that are not male or female. Understanding neuter gender is important for school grammar, competitive exams, and correct spoken and written English. This topic makes it easier to choose the right words and pronouns in sentences.
| Gender Type | Explanation | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Masculine | Nouns for male beings | father, king, boy, lion |
| Feminine | Nouns for female beings | mother, queen, girl, lioness |
| Common | Nouns for either male or female | student, teacher, friend, child |
| Neuter | Nouns for things with no gender | table, pencil, house, car |
What is Neuter Gender in English Grammar?
Neuter gender in English grammar refers to nouns for things without a specific gender. These can be objects, places, or ideas that are neither masculine nor feminine. Learning about neuter gender helps in choosing the right pronouns and building correct sentences.
Neuter Gender Examples
Most non-living things, many places, and some ideas are classified as neuter gender nouns in English. Here are some common examples:
- table
- book
- computer
- car
- tree
- pencil
- school
- window
- air
- bag
- river
- shoe
- cake
- planet
- television
- happiness
How to Identify Neuter Gender Nouns
To identify neuter gender nouns, look for names of things that do not have life or a known gender. This includes all objects, most places, and many abstract ideas. Remember, living beings usually fall under masculine, feminine, or common gender.
Rules to Remember
- Nouns for objects, places, and ideas are neuter gender.
- Pronouns "it/its" are used for neuter nouns.
- Words like "child" or "baby" can be common or neuter if gender is unknown.
Neuter Gender vs Other Genders
Neuter gender nouns do not show male or female traits. In English, these differ from masculine (male), feminine (female), and common (either). Correct classification helps you use the right pronouns and avoids exam errors.
| Noun | Gender Type | Pronoun |
|---|---|---|
| boy | Masculine | he/his |
| girl | Feminine | she/her |
| student | Common | he/she |
| apple | Neuter | it/its |
Pronouns for Neuter Gender
The pronouns "it" and "its" are used for neuter gender nouns. For example, in the sentence "The book is new. It is blue," "it" refers to the book, which is neuter gender.
- The car is fast. It is red.
- Here is your bag. Its handle is broken.
Common Mistakes and Exam Tips for Neuter Gender
Students often get confused between neuter and common gender nouns. Some living things like "baby" or "child" are neuter if their gender is not clear. Always use "it" for non-living things. Practice helps avoid such mistakes.
- Do not use "he" or "she" for objects.
- If unsure of a baby's gender, use "it." Example: "The baby is asleep. It looks peaceful."
- Words like "teacher" and "friend" are not neuter. They are common gender.
Practice Questions: Find the Neuter Gender Nouns
Try to identify neuter gender nouns in each sentence below. This will help in exams and daily English.
- The dog sat on the chair.
- Please pass the salt.
- The teacher stood by the window.
- This storybook is very interesting.
- The garden has a red gate.
Answers: chair, salt, window, storybook, gate.
For more on noun genders, visit Gender in English Grammar or sharpen your basics with Nouns. For pronoun usage, check Pronouns Used for Neuter Gender at Vedantu.
By studying neuter gender in English grammar, you will correctly classify nouns and pick suitable pronouns in writing and speech. This skill is vital for school, exams, and fluent communication. At Vedantu, we simplify such topics for your easy learning and exam success.
FAQs on What Is Neuter Gender in English Grammar?
1. What is neuter gender in English?
Neuter gender in English grammar refers to nouns representing non-living things or objects without a specific gender. Common neuter gender examples include table, book, car, and house. Understanding this helps classify nouns correctly and use the right pronouns.
2. What are common gender examples?
Common gender nouns refer to nouns that can be either masculine or feminine, such as parent, teacher, student, friend, or person. Unlike neuter gender nouns, they do not solely refer to inanimate objects or non-living things. The gender can vary based on context.
3. Is 'Rose' a neuter gender?
No, 'Rose' is typically considered feminine gender in English because it refers to a flower often associated with feminine qualities. In contrast, neuter gender nouns refer to inanimate objects.
4. What is neuter vs masculine?
Neuter gender nouns refer to non-living things (table, chair), while masculine gender nouns refer to male beings or things (man, boy, uncle). They represent distinct grammatical classifications within gender assignment.
5. How do you use neuter gender in a sentence?
Use neuter gender nouns like any other noun. Use the pronouns 'it' and 'its' to refer to them. For example: "The book (neuter) is on the table (neuter); it is blue, and its cover is worn."
6. What are examples of neuter gender nouns?
Examples of neuter gender nouns include: table, chair, book, pen, car, house, tree, computer, phone, building, television, river, mountain. These are all inanimate objects or things without a specific gender.
7. Neuter gender vs common gender?
Neuter gender nouns refer to non-living things (table, car), while common gender nouns can be either masculine or feminine depending on context (parent, teacher). The key difference is the inherent gender association.
8. What pronouns are used for neuter gender?
The pronouns 'it' and 'its' are used for neuter gender nouns. For example: "The car (neuter) is fast; it has a powerful engine and its color is red."
9. Is the word 'child' or 'baby' considered neuter gender?
While 'child' and 'baby' are animate, they are often treated as neuter gender in English grammar, especially when the gender is unknown or irrelevant to the sentence. However, if the gender is known, use 'he' or 'she'.
10. Why is it important to recognize neuter gender for subject-verb agreement or pronoun reference?
Recognizing neuter gender is crucial for correct subject-verb agreement and pronoun reference. Using the wrong pronoun (e.g., 'he' for a neuter noun) creates grammatical errors. For instance, 'The tree lost *its* leaves,' is correct while, 'The tree lost *his* leaves,' is incorrect.
11. What errors do students commonly make with neuter gender and pronouns in writing?
Common errors include using the wrong pronouns ('he'/'she') with neuter nouns, especially when dealing with ambiguous terms like 'baby' or 'child'. Another mistake is neglecting gender consistency throughout a sentence or paragraph.
