Which one is common gender?

Common gender refers to a gender that can be used for both males and females. It is not specific to any one gender, making it inclusive of both sexes. In English, some nouns can be categorized as common gender because they can refer to either a male or a female. One such example is the noun “child.” A "child" can refer to both a boy and a girl, making it a common gender noun. Unlike specific gender nouns like “man” or “woman,” which refer only to males and females respectively, “child” is neutral and does not specify gender. Other examples of common gender nouns include “teacher,” “doctor,” and “friend,” as these terms can be used to describe a person of any gender. The usage of common gender terms helps to avoid gender bias and promotes inclusivity. In both formal and informal speech, it is important to understand when and how to use such nouns to ensure clarity and equality in communication. For instance, if we were to say, "The child is playing outside," there is no indication of whether the child is a boy or a girl. This makes "child" a clear example of common gender, which is an important concept in the study of English grammar.