In many languages, every noun has a grammatical gender. A table, a phone or the sun may be "he" or "she" in your first language. So learners often say, "The kettle, he is broken," or "My phone, she doesn't work." In English, almost all things are simply "it". In this episode: • Things are "it" • Cars, boats and machines as "she" • Animals and babies • Singular "they" for one person • Scene: a busy hallway • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key phrases from this episode: The table's wobbly. It needs fixing. — the table is it. The sun's out. It's lovely and warm. — the sun is it. Where's my phone? It was on the sofa. — the phone is it. She's a lovely old car. — I'm fond of this car (casual, affectionate). Isn't she a beauty? — said about a boat or a car (casual). Come on, start, old girl! — said to an old car or machine (casual, playful). Is it a he or a she? — a natural, casual question about a pet. What's the baby called? — a friendly question. Is it a boy or a girl? — a common question about a new baby. Someone left their umbrella. — one person, not known. If anyone rings, tell them I'm out. — anyone, one person. Each child should bring their own lunch. — each child, any child. A friend of mine said they'd pop round later. — you don't need to say more. Real British English: the complete spoken course for learners worldwide — modern British accent, everyday grammar, phrasal verbs, idioms, slang, he/she/it for things, and real conversations at home. Listen, repeat out loud, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair.