Use 'him' when a male is the receiver of an action, not the doer.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Used as the object of a sentence.
- Refers specifically to a male person or animal.
- Follows verbs or prepositions in a sentence.
Overview
'Him' is the objective case of the third-person singular masculine pronoun 'he'. While 'he' is used as the subject of a sentence (the doer of the action), 'him' is used when the male is the receiver of the action or the object of a preposition. 2) Usage Patterns: In English, word order is critical. Because 'him' is an object pronoun, it typically follows the verb or the preposition. For example, in 'I saw him,' 'saw' is the verb and 'him' is the object being seen. In 'Give the book to him,' 'to' is the preposition, and 'him' is the target of the preposition. 3) Common Contexts: It is used extensively in daily conversation, storytelling, and professional communication whenever a male subject is the focus of an action. It is gender-specific, meaning it is used exclusively for males, distinguishing it from 'her' (female) and 'it' (inanimate objects or animals). 4) Similar Words Comparison: 'He' is the subject form (e.g., 'He likes coffee'), whereas 'him' is the object form (e.g., 'I like him'). 'His' is the possessive form, indicating ownership (e.g., 'That is his car'). Understanding the difference between these three forms is essential for grammatical accuracy in English.
Usage Notes
The word 'him' is neutral in register, meaning it is used in both casual and formal settings. It is essential to ensure the antecedent (the person being referred to) is clear to the listener. Always ensure gender agreement when using this pronoun.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using 'him' as the subject of a sentence, such as 'Him went home.' Another error is using 'he' when an object is required, such as 'I saw he.' Always verify if the pronoun is performing the action or receiving it.
Memory Tip
Remember that 'He' starts the action, and 'hiM' ends the action, just like the 'm' at the end of 'hiM' stands for the 'Man' who is the object.
Word Origin
The word 'him' originates from the Old English 'hine', which was the accusative case of 'he'. It has evolved over centuries to become the standard object pronoun for masculine singular nouns in English.
Cultural Context
In modern English, the use of gendered pronouns like 'him' is increasingly discussed in the context of gender inclusivity. While 'him' remains the standard for males, some individuals may use different pronouns.
Examples
I saw him at the store yesterday.
everydayI saw him at the store yesterday.
The director requested that we contact him immediately.
formalThe director requested that we contact him immediately.
Don't listen to him, he doesn't know anything.
informalDon't listen to him, he doesn't know anything.
The author describes him as a complex character.
academicThe author describes him as a complex character.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Give him a hand
Help him
Leave him alone
Stop bothering him
Keep him posted
Keep him updated
Often Confused With
'He' is a subject pronoun used for the person doing the action. 'Him' is an object pronoun used for the person receiving the action.
'His' is a possessive adjective used to indicate that something belongs to a male. It is not an object pronoun.
Grammar Patterns
Think of the action receiver
If the male is receiving the action, use 'him'. If he is doing the action, use 'he'.
Do not swap with subject pronouns
Avoid saying 'Him went to the store.' This is a common error; always use 'He' for the subject.
Gendered pronouns in English
English distinguishes gender only in third-person singular pronouns. Be mindful of using the correct pronoun based on the individual's gender identity.
Test Yourself
Choose the correct pronoun to complete the sentence.
I invited ___ to the party last night.
Because the person is the object of the verb 'invited', we use the object pronoun 'him'.
Identify the correct sentence.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
In this sentence, 'him' correctly follows the verb 'tell'.
Reorder the words to form a correct sentence.
saw / at / I / the / him / park
The subject 'I' comes first, followed by the verb 'saw' and the object 'him'.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsGenerally, no. 'Him' is an object pronoun, so it should follow a verb or preposition, while 'He' (the subject pronoun) is used at the start of sentences.
Yes, it can be used for male animals if the speaker knows the gender of the animal. It is standard for referring to any male entity.
'Him' is an object pronoun representing the person himself. 'His' is a possessive adjective used to show ownership of an object.
No, 'him' is used in all registers of English. It is equally appropriate in casual conversation and formal written documents.
Summary
Use 'him' when a male is the receiver of an action, not the doer.
- Used as the object of a sentence.
- Refers specifically to a male person or animal.
- Follows verbs or prepositions in a sentence.
Think of the action receiver
If the male is receiving the action, use 'him'. If he is doing the action, use 'he'.
Do not swap with subject pronouns
Avoid saying 'Him went to the store.' This is a common error; always use 'He' for the subject.
Gendered pronouns in English
English distinguishes gender only in third-person singular pronouns. Be mindful of using the correct pronoun based on the individual's gender identity.
Examples
4 of 4I saw him at the store yesterday.
I saw him at the store yesterday.
The director requested that we contact him immediately.
The director requested that we contact him immediately.
Don't listen to him, he doesn't know anything.
Don't listen to him, he doesn't know anything.
The author describes him as a complex character.
The author describes him as a complex character.
Learn it in Context
Related Grammar Rules
Related Phrases
Related Vocabulary
More general words
about
A1On the subject of; concerning something.
above
A2In a higher place than something or someone.
accident
A2An unfortunate event causing damage or injury.
action
A2The process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim.
after
A2Following in time or place; later than.
afterward
A2At a later or subsequent time.
again
A2Another time; once more.
aged
B1Of a specified age.
alive
A2Living, not dead.
all
A2The whole quantity or extent of something; every single one.