In more technical terms, commas are used between two or more “coordinate” adjectives that modify the same noun–“co-ordinate” in that they equally/independently modify the noun. The general rule is that commas should be used to separate two or more adjectives that independently modify a noun. (1) Does the sentence still make sense if the word “and” is inserted between the two adjectives in question? So in terms of the word order alone, long straight black is fine. I think that whether or not the female -ess noun is used just depends on whether or not native speakers use that word frequently in the language. When we have a specifically feminine version of a noun which ends with the -ess suffix, like in huntress, sorceress, anchoress, etc.
- But for any given word, the only way to tell whether such a feminized version exists is to look it up in the dictionary.
- It isn’t that important, and some words can’t be feminised, such as the ones mentioned in the question.
- “The pilot” is the person in direct chrage of flying the aircraft.
When it needs to be unambiguous, this sense is usually called an ‘aircraft pilot’, though it may be further qualified by the type of aircraft the pilot normally flies (for example ‘fighter pilot’, ‘cargo pilot’, or ‘bomber pilot’). There are a few other suffixes that indicate female gender but the rules of spelling get even more obscure. Some words in -er have feminine counterparts in -ress.1 And most words that end with -man can be feminized by changing it to -woman. Is there a rule by which a native speaker would create feminine forms?
These terms went obsolete so long ago that most people these days don’t even know that baker once had a feminine version. In other words, you can’t really go about creating feminine equivalents of random occupational words; you can merely use feminine equivalents, if they exist. Or is creating feminine forms simply not so important for native speakers?
What’s the difference between ‘aviator’ and ‘pilot’?
- “The hair is black and straight, but also long”?
- Personally I like the two comma version the best, of the ones given.
- We cannot separate “mobile” from “phone” because the “mobile phone” forms a unit that “new” is modifying.
- Unfortunately English, especially Americanized English, has a tendency to outright steal words from other languages so spelling in English isn’t as easy as some more orderly languages.
- (2) Does the sentence still make sense if the order of the adjectives in question is switched?
So in this case, the adjectives are NOT coordinate adjectives, and a comma should NOT be used. As for whether to use commas, and if using them, where to place them– If you mess with that word order in the slightest you’ll sound pin up aviator game like a maniac. The aviator took the controls and piloted the balloon through the storm. Contemporary use of the -ette suffix for a female would be highly controversial if not borderline insulting.
When it needs to be unambiguous, this sense is usually called a ‘ship pilot’ or ‘maritime pilot’. In the past, the term ‘aviator’ could be applied to the pilot, the navigator, or the flight engineer. There are no rules for learning them without just learning each word as you discover it.
Unfortunately English, especially Americanized English, has a tendency to outright steal words from other languages so spelling in English isn’t as easy as some more orderly languages. Guess I’m just ‘old fashioned’. That having been said, I find a certain charm to gender specific terms. Note also that there is a tendency towards using one word for all genders. But for any given word, the only way to tell whether such a feminized version exists is to look it up in the dictionary. As with most things in English, no, there isn’t a general rule.
Are feminine nouns ending with -ess the only proper option for females?
Many suffixes get the same meaning,such as development,oppression,their suffixes both mean state,so how do I choose the right suffix without dictionary. Lioness is the female lion. I, personally, would assume the suffix ess fits well with titles given to a person of nobility. Here’s my understanding of the suffix ess.
Is there a general rule how to create feminine words?
Find the answer to your question by asking. It is, however, rare to hear people in the third category referred to as “aviators.” They meet the dictionary definition, and Wikipedia includes them, but in a separate list at the bottom of the page because they get in on a technicality. In most modern usage, ‘aviator’ is not typically heard much outside of academic settings, and is generally considered borderline archaic ‘Aviator’ is anybody operating an aircraft. I agree that “aviator” is a bit more old-fashioned.
Are feminine nouns ending with -ess the only proper option for females?
No matter the order, it all adds up to “long straight black hair” “The hair is black and straight, but also long”? “The hair is long and straight, but also black”, The situation with long straight black hair is a little more complicated.
What’s the difference between ‘aviator’ and ‘pilot’?
“A pilot” is a person qualified to assume such a role, or a person who frequently does so. All of those directly responsible (in the air) for keeping an aircraft flying as intended.
Is there a general rule how to create feminine words? I would leave out the redundant “got” and just say “I have long, straight, black hair.” Coordinating adjectives, which these are, should be separated by commas.
See similar questions with these tags. I, personally, wouldn’t feminize any words that are gender neutral. The word actor is a gender neutral word that defines an occupation. So “lion” becomes “lioness” and “author” becomes “authoress” So “hunter” becomes “huntress” and “enchanter” becomes “enchantress” So “aviator” becomes “aviatrix” and “administrator” becomes “administratrix”
People would normally attempt to use, if possible, a genderless word so as not to cause possible offence, It isn’t that important, and some words can’t be feminised, such as the ones mentioned in the question. But these are not rules you can count on because “protector” can become “protectress” and don’t even bother looking for “actrix” in your spell check dictionary! If the word ends in “-ter”then drop the -ter in favor of “-tress” Words with distinctly feminine forms are usually old.
Is there a general rule how to create feminine words?
Personally I like the two comma version the best, of the ones given. If it would require an “and” to clarify the meaning, then a comma is needed. We cannot separate “mobile” from “phone” because the “mobile phone” forms a unit that “new” is modifying. The sentence would still make sense if we switched it to either The aviator took the controls and navigated the balloon through the storm. The aviator took the controls and flew the balloon through the storm.
There are a number of words you can choose here. First is “-trix” Best examples I can think of would be aviator/aviatrix and dominator/dominatrix. If they don’t, then they use the male noun for both genders. Idiomatic means that there is no firm grammar rule and you have to learn each one on a case-by-case basis. Does it always work like in the emperor and empress case, where the gender is somehow clearly distinct (at least for me) ? Is it always wrong to use, like, hunter for a female hunter too or sorcerer for a female sorcerer too and so on?
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