Abstract: This paper focuses on the application of markedness theory to the use of gender nouns in English. It is discovered that in English, personal masculine nouns tend to be unmarked while personal feminine nouns are marked, and that the distinction is not so clear-cut with animal nouns, for either masculine or feminine ones can be marked or unmarked. However, it is not unusual that asymmetry as well as markedness reversals and neutralization occur in the use of both personal and animal gender nouns.

Key words: gender nouns, unmarkedness, markedness, asymmetry, markedness reversal, neutralization