The tip embedded in the lesson

Bonjour Elle,

 "Masculine always wins in French" -- this is an unfortunate way of explaining that in French grammar, preference is given to the masculine.

Take the third-person plural subject pronouns ils / elles, for example. If there is a mixed group of male / female to be expressed, then ils is used to refer to that mixed group. So to use the term "wins" is a bit clumsy and leads to the confusion that you have experienced.

I hope this helps to clarify the grammar for you.

Bonne continuation

Jim