Z ziawj2 Member Joined Oct 3, 2010 Member Type English Teacher Native Language Chinese Home Country China Current Location China Dec 8, 2010 #1 Usually tender is used to describe women, while gentle is used to describe men. So we prefer saying Mom is tender instead of gentle. Is that right?
Usually tender is used to describe women, while gentle is used to describe men. So we prefer saying Mom is tender instead of gentle. Is that right?
Barb_D Moderator Staff member Joined Mar 12, 2007 Member Type Other Native Language American English Home Country United States Current Location United States Dec 8, 2010 #2 No, I can't agree with that at all. Tender might be more often used to describe someone's disposition and gentle might be used to describe how something was done: a tender disposition, a gentle touch. They don't have genders associated with them.
No, I can't agree with that at all. Tender might be more often used to describe someone's disposition and gentle might be used to describe how something was done: a tender disposition, a gentle touch. They don't have genders associated with them.