Identify the Common Gender Noun Used in the Following Sentence: The Officer was on the Prowl for the Girl Who Killed Her Husband.

Answer: The correct answer is D. Officer.

Explanation:

A common gender noun is a noun that can refer to both males and females without specifying gender. In this sentence:

“Prowl” is a verb, not a noun.
“Husband” is specifically masculine.
“Girl” is specifically feminine.
“Officer” is a common gender noun because it can refer to both male and female officers.

Understanding Common Gender Nouns

Common gender nouns refer to professions, roles, or titles that do not indicate a specific gender. Some other examples include:

Doctor (can be male or female)
Teacher (can be male or female)
Artist (can be male or female)
Student (can be male or female)

Importance of Common Gender Nouns in English Grammar

In modern English, many gender-specific nouns are being replaced with common gender nouns to promote inclusivity. For example:

• Instead of “policeman” or “policewoman,” we use “police officer.”
• Instead of “chairman,” we use “chairperson.”
• Instead of “actor” and “actress,” many now use “actor” for both genders.

Fun Fact

Some nouns have changed over time to become gender-neutral. For instance, “stewardess” is now commonly referred to as “flight attendant.” This shift helps eliminate unnecessary gender distinctions in professional titles.

In the given sentence, “Officer” is a common gender noun because it can refer to both male and female officers. Understanding common gender nouns helps in using gender-neutral language, which is important in both spoken and written English. 

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