women teachers or female teachers

[phoebemia]

1. In our school, there are 20 woman teachers, and 15 man teachers.
2. In our school, there are 20 women teachers, and 15 men teachers.
3. In our school, there are 20 female teachers, and 15 male teachers.

Which of the above sentences are grammatically correct? Which are more appropriate?

I think when a noun is used as a modifier, it doesn't need the plural form.
I think number 3 is more appropriate. I don't know why, just feel it that way.

 

[Amigos4]

Please share your thoughts. We will respond.

 

[SoothingDave]

Unfortunately, the question "are women female?" is now a source of controversy.

 

[phoebemia]

Unfortunately, the question "are women female?" is now a source of controversy.

I tried to search in the Internet for this modifier question. But those articles are long and complicated, far beyond my reading ability. I guess they are talking about respect shown in the language, right? I only ask this question just for foreign language learning purpose.

What would you say if you have to talk about this topic, how many women and how many men?

 

[Amigos4]

Unfortunately, the question "are women female?" is now a source of controversy.

I agree with you, SD. However, I don't think there is much debate in China regarding the gender status of public employees.
I'm waiting to hear what phoebemia thinks the correct answer should be..

 

[phoebemia]

I agree with you, SD. However, I don't think there is much debate in China regarding the gender status of public employees.
I'm waiting to hear what phoebemia thinks the correct answer should be..

That's true. There's hardly debate on this in China.

I think when a noun is used as a modifier, it doesn't need the plural form.
I think number 3 is more appropriate. Just feel it that way. No offence.

 

[Amigos4]

Number 3 works for me! I would leave out the commas: In our school there are 20 female teachers and 15 male teachers.

 

[phoebemia]

Number 3 works for me! I would leave out the commas: In our school there are 20 female teachers and 15 male teachers.

So if it's in real life abroad, I should avoid such a topic, right? Since it's sensitive.

But what if it's in an unprofessional English exam, where I use English the most, should I choose woman teachers or women teachers, if there're only these two options?

 

[Tarheel]

Say "woman teachers" or "female teachers".

 

[Rover_KE]

Unfortunately, the question "are women female?" is now a source of controversy.

Those afraid of offending anybody could say 'In our school there are 35 teachers, of whom 15 are male'.

 

[emsr2d2]

Those afraid of offending anybody could say 'In our school there are 35 teachers, of whom 15 are male'.

I'm not sure how that gets round the potential offence (of the perpetually offended). The question "Are women female?" can just as easily be "Are men male?"
The question of gender identity is a minefield in many countries these days.

 

[jutfrank]

Use sentence 3, phoebemia.