Ora

What Type of Gender Is Kite?

Published in Grammatical Gender 2 mins read

Kite is of neuter gender.

In the context of grammatical gender in English, nouns that refer to inanimate objects, concepts, or things that do not possess biological sex are typically classified as neuter gender. Unlike some languages that assign masculine or feminine genders to all nouns, English largely reserves gender distinctions for living beings, using "he" for male, "she" for female, and "it" for neuter.

Understanding Neuter Gender

The term neuter gender originates from Latin, meaning "neither," signifying that a noun belonging to this category is neither masculine nor feminine. It is used for nouns that denote:

  • Inanimate objects
  • Abstract concepts
  • Animals where the sex is unknown or irrelevant (e.g., "The bird built its nest.")
  • Collective nouns when referred to as a single entity (e.g., "The team played its best game.")

For nouns of neuter gender, the pronoun used to refer to them is "it" or "its."

Examples of Neuter Gender Nouns

"Kite" falls into the category of inanimate objects, thus being a neuter gender noun. Below is a table listing several examples of nouns that are considered neuter gender:

Neuter Gender Nouns
Kite
Necklace
Engine
Lock
Letter
Jug
Raincoat
Belt
Earphones
Napkin
Microwave oven

These examples highlight that common household items, tools, and other non-living entities are classified under neuter gender in English grammar. Recognizing neuter gender is crucial for correct pronoun usage and overall grammatical accuracy.