Female v Women

[raytay]

Talk about the female of a profession or activity.

Newspaper journalists tend to write: female singers; women journalists; women lawyers; women footballers.

When speaking, most people I know use female for all professions. This does not happen on TV when most journalists seem to prefer women journalists etc.

1) If I am writing, how should I know which is preferred for a particular profession?
2) If I am speaking and introducing in front of the team a group of footballers do I say women footballers, lady footballers, or ladies footballers?

 

[Tdol]

Try searching for the term on Google with female and then with women and use the more common. We do say 'ladies' football', but I'd use women if talking to the players. ;-)

 

[MikeNewYork]

Talk about the female of a profession or activity.

Newspaper journalists tend to write: female singers; women journalists; women lawyers; women footballers.

When speaking, most people I know use female for all professions. This does not happen on TV when most journalists seem to prefer women journalists etc.

1) If I am writing, how should I know which is preferred for a particular profession?
2) If I am speaking and introducing in front of the team a group of footballers do I say women footballers, lady footballers, or ladies footballers?

Many people believe that "woman/women" shopuld not be used as an adjective to identify gender. We don't usually say "man journalist" or "man lawyer". Nevertheless, the practice is common and likely to endure. :wink:

 

[Casiopea]

Talk about the female of a profession or activity.

Newspaper journalists tend to write: female singers; women journalists; women lawyers; women footballers.

When speaking, most people I know use female for all professions. This does not happen on TV when most journalists seem to prefer women journalists etc.

1) If I am writing, how should I know which is preferred for a particular profession?
2) If I am speaking and introducing in front of the team a group of footballers do I say women footballers, lady footballers, or ladies footballers?

You could refer to all the players as 'players', and when it's necessary to make a distinction why not try "non-female players'?

All the best,