Most job titles do not distinguish between binary or non-binary options. For example, doctor, electrician, engineer, lecturer, plumber, teacher or architect can be used to refer to anybody. However, in many cases -man has traditionally been used as a suffix (for example, postman, policeman or chairman). More recently, the suffix -woman also started to be used (postwoman, policewoman or chairwoman), but it is now generally accepted that there is no need for gender-specific terms and that more gender-neutral terms are preferable.



When referring to a particular person, then, try to avoid binary options if there is no need to be gender-specific. Therefore, not



but



When referring to the position rather than the person occupying it, always use the gender-neutral version(s).