Gender-Neutral Language: A Guide

Gender-neutral language—also known as gender-inclusive language—is language that aims to avoid gender assumptions and gender biases in speaking and writing. In English, this means using gender-neutral first-person pronouns like “they,” avoiding overtly gendered terms in favor of genderless ones, and using gendered words of equal status. Other languages, especially Romance languages like Spanish and French, have other kinds of grammatical gender and different techniques for how to avoid assumptions and bias.

Gender-neutral language promotes gender equality since it minimizes the chances of making gendered assumptions and maintaining biases. When people use or hear gendered language, they unconsciously or consciously reinforce gender stereotypes, limiting themselves and the individuals around them by communicating that people of certain gender identities must look, act, or be a certain way. In contrast, when people use gender-neutral words, they avoid perpetuating gender biases and instead contribute to ideas that gender identity doesn’t have to limit who a person is or can be.

You can recognize and remove gender bias in your language in these three main ways:

• Avoid previously gendered nouns, verbs, and adjectives. Many words in the English language reflect gender, including general nouns (like “mankind”), job titles (like “fireman,” “stewardess,” “policeman,” “mailman,” or “chairman”), verbs (like “manned the booth”), and adjectives (like “manned spaceflight”). Keep a close eye out for these unconscious gender biases and replace them with gender-neutral terms (like “humankind,” “firefighter,” “flight attendant,” “police officer,” “mailperson,” “chairperson,” and “staffed” or “crewed”).
• Make sure that gendered words are equal. One way to perpetuate unconscious gender bias through language is to use gender-specific words on unequal terms—for instance, describing a room of “men and ladies” or “men and girls” rather than “men and women”; these constructions elevate the masculine form and minimize the feminine form. In situations where you must use gender-specific language like this, ensure you use terms equal in status.
• Use the pronoun “they”. Historically, the English language used the masculine pronouns “he” and “his” when referring to a nonspecific individual (e.g., “Each student should bring his book”). To avoid the gendered “he,” substitute it for the gender-neutral pronoun “they,” either by using the word “they” as a singular pronoun (or singular they) or revising the construction to be plural (e.g., “Each student should bring their book.” or “All students should bring their books.”) Avoid using the phrase “he or she.” Even though it includes the feminine pronoun, it excludes gender nonconforming and nonbinary people. In situations where you need to refer to a specific person, use the gender-neutral form “they” until you know the person’s gender identity and particular pronoun, and then use the correct pronoun moving forward (in addition, avoid the term “preferred pronouns,” since this suggests a preference rather than a basic right).

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