his, her

Do not presume maleness in constructing a sentence. Usually it is possible, and always preferable, to reword the sentence to avoid gende. Be sure the context makes clear that only one person is involved.

gender-neutral language

In general, use terms that can apply to any gender. Such language aims to treat people equally and is inclusive of people whose gender identity is not strictly male or female.

For example: Chairman can be chair, councilman can be council member.

While some -person constructions, such as chairperson and spokesperson, are commonly used, avoid tortured or unfamiliar constructions such as snowperson, baseperson or freshperson. Similarly, don’t use siblinghood in place of brotherhood or sisterhood.

The terms U.S. representative, representative, member of Congress are preferred. Congressman and congresswoman are acceptable because of their common use. Do not use congressperson.

woman, women, female, females

Use female as an adjective, not woman. She is the first female governor of North Carolina. Use women to describe a group of women, not females.

If you prefer to avoid the term female altogether, reword. Not: She is the first woman governor of North Carolina, but She is the first woman to hold the governor's office in North Carolina.

The term women includes trans women and does not need to be specified to include them. No need to say women and trans women.

If you wish to include other gender identities when speaking of people as a group, choose phrases like women and other marginalized genders or women and nonbinary people.

For gender-related guides relating to LGBTQIA writing, please see the LGBTQIA tab.