Neutral wording
One way to use gender-inclusive language is to express yourself in a neutral way. Here are some examples:
- Police officers / firefighters …
(instead of: policemen / firemen) - Chairperson / chair …
(instead of: chairman) - Humankind / humanity …
(instead of: mankind)
| + | Always neutral |
| – | In some cases, it may appear artificial or awkward |
Use plurals
A sentence like “The applicant must write his application in English” implicitly excludes all female applicants, and should be avoided.
One way of avoiding the generic male is to explicitly state both genders:
- The applicant must write his/her application in English.
However, this not only excludes anyone who identifies as non-binary, but can be clumsy and make texts unnecessarily long.
An easy solution is to use the plural:
- Applicants must write their applications in English.
Easy to understand, inclusive and concise.
A word on pronouns
Male nouns take male pronouns (he/his), female nouns take female pronouns (she/her), and plural nouns take plural pronouns (they/them). Straightforward, right? Not always!
- Increasingly, the pronoun “they” is used as a singular pronoun referring to a person of an unspecified gender, for instance “the candidate should attach their CV”. Originally frowned upon in academic language, this is now increasingly accepted in place of he/she or his/her, and can make your writing more concise and gender-sensitive.
- If you feel uncomfortable using the word “they” in this context yourself, it can often be avoided by using a plural noun: “Candidates should attach their CVs”.
- Another instance where “they” is now commonly used in the singular is as a gender-neutral pronoun to refer to someone who does not identify with a gender-specific pronoun (he or she).
Frequently asked questions
Why is gender-sensitive language important in academic writing?
Academic integrity requires academic language to be as ethical and inclusive as possible. Using gender-sensitive language promotes equality and ensures that all genders are represented and treated fairly. It also helps keep writing clear and precise.
Do I always have to use they/them/their as pronouns?
When writing about specific individuals, use the pronouns they identify with, if you know them. This might include he/him, she/her, they/them, or others. If you are unsure, it is polite to ask.
Continue browsing
This article was published in August 2025 and last updated in November 2024.