Common vs. Neuter — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 30, 2024
Common gender refers to nouns applicable to all genders, like "parent" or "student", while neuter denotes nouns without any gender, such as "rock" or "information".
Difference Between Common and Neuter
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Common gender in English grammar includes nouns that can refer to both male and female entities, often used when the gender of the person is not specified, as in the case of the word "teacher". On the other hand, neuter gender refers to nouns that are neither male nor female, typically inanimate objects or abstract concepts, exemplified by the word "table".
In some languages, like Hindi, common gender nouns are frequently used and can change form based on context to indicate masculinity or femininity, suggesting flexibility in gender representation. In contrast, neuter nouns, as found in languages like German and Russian, remain constant in their form regardless of the surrounding text, indicating a fixed grammatical structure.
When using common gender nouns in English, speakers might often substitute them with gender-neutral pronouns such as "they" or "them" to maintain ambiguity or inclusivity. Whereas, neuter nouns naturally align with "it", emphasizing their non-living or abstract nature.
Educational contexts might prefer common gender nouns to promote a more inclusive language environment, helping to foster an atmosphere that minimizes gender distinctions. Neuter nouns, while common in educational texts, especially in the sciences, are used to denote objects or concepts strictly within academic discourse.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Refers to both genders
Refers to no gender
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Usage in English
Flexible pronoun use
Always uses "it"
Example Nouns
Parent, friend
Rock, information
Language Examples
Hindi, English
German, Russian
Context Use
Legal, educational
Scientific, technical
Compare with Definitions
Common
Applicable to both male and female.
The common room is open for students.
Neuter
Inactive or inert.
The compound remained neuter under those conditions.
Common
Ordinary, not special.
It was just a common misunderstanding.
Neuter
Not aligned with either side in a conflict.
The country declared itself neuter during the war.
Common
Widely accepted or used.
It is common knowledge that sugar is sweet.
Neuter
Neutral, impartial.
The judge must remain neuter in this case.
Common
Frequent or usual.
It is common to see birds in this area.
Neuter
Neither masculine nor feminine in gender.
Common
Shared by all members.
They have a common goal in their project.
Neuter
Neither active nor passive; intransitive. Used of verbs.
Common
Belonging equally to or shared equally by two or more; joint
Common interests.
Neuter
Having pistils and stamens that are nonfunctional or absent.
Common
Of or relating to the community as a whole; public
For the common good.
Neuter
Castrated or spayed. Used of animals.
Common
Widespread; prevalent
Gas stations became common as the use of cars grew.
Neuter
(Archaic) Taking no side in a dispute; neutral.
Common
Occurring frequently or habitually; usual
It is common for movies to last 90 minutes or more.
Neuter
The neuter gender.
Common
Most widely known; ordinary
The common housefly.
Neuter
A neuter word.
Common
Having no special designation, status, or rank
A common sailor.
Neuter
A neuter noun.
Common
Not distinguished by superior or noteworthy characteristics; average
The common spectator.
Neuter
A castrated animal.
Common
Of no special quality; standard
Common procedure.
Neuter
(Archaic) One that is neutral in a dispute.
Common
Of mediocre or inferior quality; second-rate
Common cloth.
Neuter
To castrate or spay.
Common
Unrefined or coarse in manner; vulgar
Behavior that branded him as common.
Neuter
To render ineffective or powerless
A scandal that neutered the politician.
Common
Either masculine or feminine in gender.
Neuter
Neutral; on neither side; neither one thing nor another.
Common
Representing one or all of the members of a class; not designating a unique entity.
Neuter
(grammar) Having a form which is not masculine nor feminine; or having a form which is not of common gender.
A neuter noun
The neuter definite article
A neuter termination
The neuter gender
Common
Commons The common people; commonalty.
Neuter
(grammar) Intransitive.
A neuter verb
Common
The social class composed of commoners.
Neuter
(biology) An organism, either vegetable or animal, which at its maturity has no generative organs, or but imperfectly developed ones, as a plant without stamens or pistils, as the garden Hydrangea; especially, one of the imperfectly developed females of certain social insects, as of the ant and the common honeybee, which perform the labors of the community, and are called workers.
Common
The parliamentary representatives of this class.
Neuter
A person who takes no part in a contest; someone remaining neutral.
Common
Commons The House of Commons.
Neuter
(grammar) The neuter gender.
Common
A tract of land, usually in a centrally located spot, belonging to or used by a community as a whole
A band concert on the village common.
Neuter
(grammar) A noun of the neuter gender; any one of those words which have the terminations usually found in neuter words.
Common
The legal right of a person to use the lands or waters of another, as for fishing.
Neuter
(grammar) An intransitive verb or state-of-being verb.
Common
Commons(used with a sing. verb) A building or hall for dining, typically at a university or college.
Neuter
Neither the one thing nor the other; on neither side; impartial; neutral.
In all our undertakings God will be either our friend or our enemy; for Providence never stands neuter.
Common
Common stock.
Neuter
A person who takes no part in a contest; one who is either indifferent to a cause or forbears to interfere; a neutral.
The world's no neuter; it will wound or save.
Common
(Ecclesiastical) A service used for a particular class of festivals.
Neuter
A noun of the neuter gender; any one of those words which have the terminations usually found in neuter words.
Common
Mutual; shared by more than one.
The two competitors have the common aim of winning the championship.
Winning the championship is an aim common to the two competitors.
Neuter
An organism, either vegetable or animal, which at its maturity has no generative organs, or but imperfectly developed ones, as a plant without stamens or pistils, as the garden Hydrangea; esp., one of the imperfectly developed females of certain social insects, as of the ant and the common honeybee, which perform the labors of the community, and are called workers.
Common
Occurring or happening regularly or frequently; usual.
It is common to find sharks off this coast.
Neuter
A gender that refers chiefly (but not exclusively) to inanimate objects (neither masculine nor feminine)
Common
Found in large numbers or in a large quantity; usual.
Commoner used to be commoner, but more common is now more common.
Sharks are common in these waters.
It differs from the common blackbird in the size of its beak.
Neuter
Remove the ovaries of;
Is your cat spayed?
Common
Simple, ordinary or vulgar.
Neuter
Of grammatical gender;
`it' is the third-person singular neuter pronoun
Common
(grammar) Of, pertaining or belonging to the common gender.
Common
(grammar) Of or pertaining to common nouns as opposed to proper nouns.
Common
Vernacular, referring to the name of a kind of plant or animal, i.e., common name vs. scientific name.
Common
(obsolete) Profane; polluted.
Common
(obsolete) Given to lewd habits; prostitute.
Common
Mutual good, shared by more than one.
Common
A tract of land in common ownership; common land.
Common
The people; the community.
Common
(legal) The right of taking a profit in the land of another, in common either with the owner or with other persons; so called from the community of interest which arises between the claimant of the right and the owner of the soil, or between the claimants and other commoners entitled to the same right.
Common
(obsolete) To communicate (something).
Common
(obsolete) To converse, talk.
Common
(obsolete) To participate.
Common
(obsolete) To have a joint right with others in common ground.
Common
(obsolete) To board together; to eat at a table in common.
Common
Belonging or relating equally, or similarly, to more than one; as, you and I have a common interest in the property.
Though life and sense be common to men and brutes.
Common
Belonging to or shared by, affecting or serving, all the members of a class, considered together; general; public; as, properties common to all plants; the common schools; the Book of Common Prayer.
Such actions as the common good requireth.
The common enemy of man.
Common
Often met with; usual; frequent; customary.
Grief more than common grief.
Common
Not distinguished or exceptional; inconspicuous; ordinary; plebeian; - often in a depreciatory sense.
The honest, heart-felt enjoyment of common life.
This fact was infamousAnd ill beseeming any common man,Much more a knight, a captain and a leader.
Above the vulgar flight of common souls.
Common
Profane; polluted.
What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
Common
Given to habits of lewdness; prostitute.
A dame who herself was common.
Common
The people; the community.
Common
An inclosed or uninclosed tract of ground for pleasure, for pasturage, etc., the use of which belongs to the public; or to a number of persons.
Common
The right of taking a profit in the land of another, in common either with the owner or with other persons; - so called from the community of interest which arises between the claimant of the right and the owner of the soil, or between the claimants and other commoners entitled to the same right.
Common
To converse together; to discourse; to confer.
Embassadors were sent upon both parts, and divers means of entreaty were commoned of.
Common
To participate.
Common
To have a joint right with others in common ground.
Common
To board together; to eat at a table in common.
Common
A piece of open land for recreational use in an urban area;
They went for a walk in the park
Common
Belonging to or participated in by a community as a whole; public;
For the common good
Common lands are set aside for use by all members of a community
Common
Of no special distinction or quality; widely known or commonly encountered; average or ordinary or usual;
The common man
A common sailor
The common cold
A common nuisance
Followed common procedure
It is common knowledge that she lives alone
The common housefly
A common brand of soap
Common
Common to or shared by two or more parties;
A common friend
The mutual interests of management and labor
Common
Commonly encountered;
A common (or familiar) complaint
The usual greeting
Common
Being or characteristic of or appropriate to everyday language;
Common parlance
A vernacular term
Vernacular speakers
The vulgar tongue of the masses
The technical and vulgar names for an animal species
Common
Of or associated with the great masses of people;
The common people in those days suffered greatly
Behavior that branded him as common
His square plebeian nose
A vulgar and objectionable person
The unwashed masses
Common
Of low or inferior quality or value;
Of what coarse metal ye are molded
Produced...the common cloths used by the poorer population
Common
Lacking refinement or cultivation or taste;
He had coarse manners but a first-rate mind
Behavior that branded him as common
An untutored and uncouth human being
An uncouth soldier--a real tough guy
Appealing to the vulgar taste for violence
The vulgar display of the newly rich
Common
To be expected; standard;
Common decency
Common Curiosities
Why is common gender important in language?
Common gender is important for promoting gender neutrality and inclusivity in language, ensuring that expressions and terms do not favor one gender over another.
What is neuter gender?
Neuter gender refers to nouns that denote neither male nor female characteristics, typically inanimate objects or abstract concepts, like "table" or "happiness".
What is common gender?
Common gender refers to nouns that are applicable to either male or female entities, such as "doctor" or "teacher".
Can a noun be both common and neuter?
No, a noun cannot be both common and neuter as they represent different gender categories.
What pronouns are used with neuter nouns?
The pronoun "it" is typically used with neuter nouns.
Where is neuter gender commonly used?
Neuter gender is commonly used in languages that have grammatical gender for inanimate objects and abstract ideas, such as in German or Russian.
How do pronouns work with common gender nouns in English?
Pronouns like "they" or "them" are often used with common gender nouns to maintain gender neutrality.
What impact does gender neutrality have on language learning?
Gender neutrality can simplify language learning by reducing the complexity of gendered language rules, promoting a more inclusive approach.
What are some challenges associated with using neuter gender in gendered languages?
Challenges include ensuring accuracy in grammatical agreement and sometimes confusion in translation or interpretation where gender is ambiguous.
Is the use of common gender increasing in modern English?
Yes, the use of common gender is increasing as English evolves to become more inclusive and gender-neutral.
How do languages with gendered nouns handle common gender?
Languages with gendered nouns often have specific forms or adaptations for common gender to accommodate inclusivity.
How can one identify a common gender noun in English?
A common gender noun in English does not explicitly indicate male or female characteristics and can be applied universally.
Do all languages have neuter gender?
Not all languages have neuter gender; it depends on the language's grammatical structure.
What is an example of a neuter noun in English?
"Information" is an example of a neuter noun in English.
Are there any rules for converting nouns between genders in gendered languages?
Yes, many gendered languages have grammatical rules that dictate how nouns can change gender based on their usage and context.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
