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A2 determiner #100 most common 8 min read

his

Top 100

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips his in 30 Seconds

Explanation his in your Level:

At the A1 level, learners are introduced to 'his' as a basic way to show ownership. It is used in very simple sentences to describe family members and personal belongings. For example, 'His name is Tom' or 'His father is a doctor'. At this stage, the focus is on distinguishing 'his' from 'her' and 'my'. Learners practice identifying male subjects and using the corresponding possessive. The goal is to build a foundation for describing people and their immediate world. Teachers often use pictures of boys and men to elicit the word, helping students make the mental connection between the male gender and the word 'his'. It is one of the first determiners learned after 'my' and 'your'.

At the A2 level, students expand their use of 'his' to include more varied nouns and everyday situations. They start using it to describe routines, such as 'He eats his breakfast at 8 AM' or 'He drives his car to work'. The distinction between 'his' (possessive) and 'him' (object) becomes more important here. Learners are expected to use 'his' correctly in short paragraphs and simple stories. They also begin to see 'his' used with adjectives, like 'his new house' or 'his favorite hobby'. This level focuses on increasing fluency and accuracy in daily communication, ensuring that the possessive matches the subject consistently throughout a conversation.

By the B1 level, learners use 'his' to discuss more abstract concepts and complex relationships. They might talk about 'his opinion', 'his experience', or 'his goals'. At this stage, students are expected to maintain correct possessive usage even in longer, more detailed sentences with multiple clauses. They also encounter 'his' in more formal contexts, such as work emails or academic texts. B1 learners should be comfortable using 'his' as a possessive pronoun ('The choice was his') and understand its role in common idiomatic expressions. The focus shifts from simple ownership to using the word to provide clarity in more sophisticated narratives and arguments.

At the B2 level, students have a high degree of accuracy with 'his' and can use it in a wide range of registers. They understand the nuances of using 'his' in formal writing versus informal speech. B2 learners are also aware of the social implications of using 'his' as a generic pronoun and can choose more inclusive alternatives like 'their' when appropriate. They can use 'his' to create emphasis, such as 'It was his own decision', and are familiar with literary uses of the word. At this level, the focus is on using 'his' naturally and flexibly, ensuring it contributes to the overall cohesion and style of their writing and speaking.

C1 learners use 'his' with precision and stylistic flair. They can navigate complex sentence structures where 'his' might refer back to a distant antecedent without losing clarity. They are sensitive to the rhythmic and rhetorical effects of using possessives in literature and persuasive speaking. At this level, students can analyze how the use of 'his' contributes to characterization in a text. They are also fully aware of the historical evolution of the word and its changing role in modern English. The focus is on mastery of tone and the ability to use 'his' in a way that reflects a deep understanding of English grammar and social conventions.

At the C2 level, 'his' is used with the effortless accuracy of a native speaker. Learners can use it in highly specialized or technical contexts, as well as in creative writing where they might play with traditional gender roles or archaic language. They have a complete grasp of all idiomatic and metaphorical uses of the word. C2 speakers can use 'his' to convey subtle shades of meaning, such as irony or distance, through its placement and emphasis. At this ultimate level of proficiency, the word 'his' is just one of many tools used to construct complex, nuanced, and perfectly articulated thoughts in any situation.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

his in 30 Seconds

A possessive determiner used to show that something belongs to a male person or animal.
Always placed before the noun it describes, such as 'his hat' or 'his friend'.
Must match the gender of the owner, not the gender of the object being owned.
Can also be used as a possessive pronoun, meaning 'belonging to him' (e.g., 'It is his').

The word his is a possessive determiner used to indicate that something belongs to or is associated with a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified. In the English language, possessive determiners are essential for establishing relationships between people and objects, or between people and other people. When we use 'his', we are specifically pointing to a singular male subject. This word is one of the most fundamental building blocks of English grammar, appearing early in the learning process (CEFR A1/A2) because it allows speakers to describe the world around them in terms of ownership and connection. For example, if you see a boy with a bicycle, you would say, 'That is his bicycle.' The word 'his' replaces the need to repeat the boy's name, making communication more efficient and natural.

Grammatical Category: Possessive Determiner (also functions as a possessive pronoun).
Gender Specification: Exclusively used for male subjects (men, boys, or male animals).
Syntactic Position: Always placed before the noun it modifies (e.g., 'his car', 'his idea').

Beyond simple physical ownership, 'his' is used to describe characteristics, relationships, and abstract concepts. You might talk about 'his personality', 'his sister', or 'his favorite color'. In these cases, 'his' doesn't mean he 'owns' his sister in a legal sense, but rather that she is the sister related to him. This versatility is why 'his' is ubiquitous in every form of English communication, from the simplest nursery rhymes to the most complex legal documents. It provides a clear, gendered reference point that helps listeners keep track of who is being discussed in a narrative.

John forgot his umbrella at the office yesterday.

The dog wagged his tail when he saw the treat.

The artist showcased his latest paintings at the gallery.

Every man must do his duty to the community.

The king wore his crown during the ceremony.

Using his correctly requires understanding its relationship with the subject of the sentence. It must always refer back to a male antecedent. If you are talking about Mark, you use 'his'. If you are talking about a group of people, you use 'their'. If you are talking about a female, you use 'her'. The most common structure is [his + noun]. For example, 'his phone', 'his shoes', 'his dinner'. You can also insert adjectives between 'his' and the noun: 'his expensive new phone'. This flexibility allows for detailed descriptions while maintaining the clarity of who the object belongs to.

Basic Structure: [Possessive Determiner] + [Noun] -> 'His house is big.'
With Adjectives: [Possessive Determiner] + [Adjective] + [Noun] -> 'His blue car is fast.'
As a Pronoun: Used alone to replace the noun phrase -> 'That book is his.'

It is important to distinguish 'his' from 'he's'. 'He's' is a contraction of 'he is' or 'he has', while 'his' is purely possessive. This is a frequent point of confusion for learners. To check if you are using the right word, try replacing it with 'he is'. If the sentence still makes sense, you should use 'he's'. If it doesn't, you likely need 'his'. For example, 'He's going to the store' (He is going) vs 'His store is closed' (He is store is closed - incorrect). Mastery of 'his' also involves understanding its use in idiomatic expressions and formal writing, where it often precedes abstract nouns like 'intentions', 'legacy', or 'perspective'.

The boy brushed his teeth before going to bed.

The professor explained his theory to the students.

He held his breath as the race began.

The chef shared his secret recipe with the apprentice.

Tom finished his homework early so he could play.

You will hear his in almost every conversation involving a male third party. In storytelling, it is the primary way to describe a male protagonist's actions and possessions. In news reporting, journalists use it to refer to male politicians, athletes, or public figures. For instance, 'The President signed the bill with his lucky pen.' In sports, commentators constantly use it: 'The striker took his shot from thirty yards out.' It is a word that provides immediate context and clarity in fast-paced speech.

In Literature: Used to build character depth through descriptions of personal items and traits.
In Professional Settings: Used to attribute work, opinions, or responsibilities to male colleagues.
In Pop Culture: Common in song lyrics and movie dialogue to denote romantic or familial ties.

In academic and formal writing, 'his' was traditionally used as a generic possessive for any person (e.g., 'Each student must bring his book'). however, modern English has shifted toward more inclusive language, often using 'their' or 'his or her' in these contexts. Despite this shift, 'his' remains the standard and correct choice whenever the specific subject is known to be male. Hearing 'his' in a conversation immediately signals to the listener that the focus is on a male individual, helping to narrow down the mental search for who is being discussed.

The actor thanked his family during the awards speech.

The doctor checked his watch before the surgery.

The pilot announced his arrival at the destination.

The detective followed his instincts to solve the case.

The coach praised his team for their hard work.

The most frequent error involving his is confusing it with the contraction 'he's'. While they sound somewhat similar in fast speech, they have completely different grammatical functions. 'His' shows possession, while 'he's' is a subject-verb combination. Another common mistake is using 'his' when the gender of the person is unknown or when referring to a female. In modern English, using 'his' as a default for everyone is often seen as outdated or exclusionary. Learners should also be careful not to add an apostrophe to 'his' (e.g., 'hi's'), as this is never correct in English.

His vs. He's: Mistake: 'He's car is red.' Correct: 'His car is red.'
Gender Mismatch: Mistake: Using 'his' for a girl named Sarah. Correct: 'Sarah lost her keys.'
Apostrophe Error: Mistake: Writing 'hi's' or 'his''. Correct: Always 'his'.

Furthermore, some learners confuse 'his' with 'him'. 'Him' is an object pronoun used after a verb or preposition (e.g., 'I saw him'), whereas 'his' is a determiner that must be followed by a noun (e.g., 'I saw his car'). Mixing these up can lead to sentences like 'I saw his', which is incomplete unless 'his' is being used as a possessive pronoun in a very specific context. To avoid these mistakes, it is helpful to always look for the noun that follows. If there is a noun, 'his' is likely the correct choice. If there is no noun, you might need 'him' or the possessive pronoun 'his'.

Incorrect: He's dog is barking. Correct: His dog is barking.

Incorrect: Give it to his. Correct: Give it to him.

Incorrect: The cat licked his paw (if female). Correct: The cat licked her paw.

Incorrect: This is hi's coat. Correct: This is his coat.

Incorrect: His is tall. Correct: He is tall.

To fully understand his, it is helpful to compare it with other possessive determiners. Each one corresponds to a different subject. 'Her' is the female equivalent, 'its' is for non-human or inanimate objects, and 'their' is for plural subjects. Using the correct one is vital for clarity. If you use 'his' when you should use 'their', your listener will be looking for a single man instead of a group. Alternatives to 'his' are rare because it is a functional word, but in formal contexts, one might use 'belonging to him' or 'of his' to add emphasis or variety to the sentence structure.

His vs. Her: 'His' is for males; 'Her' is for females. (e.g., 'His tie' vs 'Her scarf').
His vs. Their: 'His' is singular; 'Their' is plural or gender-neutral. (e.g., 'His car' vs 'Their car').
His vs. Its: 'His' is for people/male animals; 'Its' is for things/unspecified animals.

In some cases, you might use a person's name with an apostrophe-s instead of 'his'. For example, 'David's house' instead of 'his house'. This is necessary when you first introduce the person or when there are multiple men in the conversation and you need to be specific. Once the identity of the person is clear, switching to 'his' makes the speech flow better. Another alternative in very formal or legal English is the phrase 'of the said male', though this is never used in everyday conversation. Understanding these comparisons helps learners choose the most precise word for their intended meaning.

Comparison: This is his bag. This is her bag.

Comparison: His name is John. My name is Paul.

Comparison: The boy lost his way. The bird lost its way.

Comparison: His shoes are clean. Their shoes are dirty.

Comparison: His idea was good. Your idea was better.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

In Early Modern English (like in the King James Bible), 'his' was also used for inanimate objects because 'its' had not yet become common.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /hɪz/

US /hɪz/

Usually unstressed in a sentence unless being emphasized for contrast.

Rhymes With

is biz whiz quiz fizz viz tiz riz

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like 'he's' (/hiːz/).
Pronouncing it with a voiceless 's' (/hɪs/) like the word 'hiss'.
Dropping the 'h' in formal contexts where it should be clear.
Confusing the vowel sound with 'he' (/hiː/).
Over-emphasizing the word when it should be a quick function word.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize in text.

Writing 2/5

Slight difficulty distinguishing from 'he's'.

Speaking 1/5

Common and easy to use in speech.

Listening 2/5

Can be hard to hear if the 'h' is dropped.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

he him my your

Learn Next

her its their our

Advanced

possessive pronouns genitive case gender-neutral pronouns

Grammar to Know

Possessive Determiners

His, her, and their are determiners.

Subject-Verb Agreement

His dog barks (singular).

No Apostrophe in Possessive Pronouns

It is his (not hi's).

Antecedent Agreement

John (male) -> his.

Placement before adjectives

His big red car.

Examples by Level

His name is Ben.

Il s'appelle Ben.

Simple possessive used before a name.

This is his dog.

C'est son chien.

Possessive determiner followed by a common noun.

His car is blue.

Sa voiture est bleue.

Possessive used to describe an object's color.

He likes his school.

Il aime son école.

Possessive used with a verb of preference.

His house is big.

Sa maison est grande.

Possessive used to describe a property.

His dad is tall.

Son père est grand.

Possessive used for family relationships.

Where is his book?

Où est son livre ?

Possessive used in a question.

His apple is red.

Sa pomme est rouge.

Possessive used with a fruit.

He lost his keys at the park.

Il a perdu ses clés au parc.

Possessive used with a past tense verb.

His sister lives in London.

Sa sœur habite à Londres.

Possessive used for family members living elsewhere.

He finished his work early.

Il a fini son travail tôt.

Possessive used with the noun 'work'.

His favorite food is pizza.

Sa nourriture préférée est la pizza.

Possessive used with the adjective 'favorite'.

He took his dog for a walk.

Il a emmené son chien en promenade.

Possessive used in a common daily routine.

His phone is on the table.

Son téléphone est sur la table.

Possessive used to indicate location.

He forgot his umbrella again.

Il a encore oublié son parapluie.

Possessive used with the adverb 'again'.

His eyes are green.

Ses yeux sont verts.

Possessive used for physical features.

The manager expressed his concerns during the meeting.

Le directeur a exprimé ses inquiétudes pendant la réunion.

Possessive used with abstract nouns.

He is proud of his achievements.

Il est fier de ses accomplissements.

Possessive used after the preposition 'of'.

His decision changed everything.

Sa décision a tout changé.

Possessive as the subject of the sentence.

The author wrote about his childhood.

L'auteur a écrit sur son enfance.

Possessive used to describe a life period.

He shared his vision for the future.

Il a partagé sa vision de l'avenir.

Possessive used with a visionary concept.

His car broke down on the way to the interview.

Sa voiture est tombée en panne sur le chemin de l'entretien.

Possessive used in a narrative context.

He spent his vacation in the mountains.

Il a passé ses vacances à la montagne.

Possessive used for a period of time.

His advice was very helpful.

Ses conseils ont été très utiles.

Possessive used with an uncountable noun.

The scientist published his findings in a prestigious journal.

Le scientifique a publié ses résultats dans une revue prestigieuse.

Possessive used in a professional/academic context.

He was known for his dedication to the cause.

Il était connu pour son dévouement à la cause.

Possessive used to describe a character trait.

His performance exceeded all expectations.

Sa performance a dépassé toutes les attentes.

Possessive used with an evaluative noun.

The architect presented his plans for the new museum.

L'architecte a présenté ses plans pour le nouveau musée.

Possessive used for professional output.

He struggled to maintain his composure.

Il a eu du mal à garder son sang-froid.

Possessive used with an emotional state.

His influence on the industry is undeniable.

Son influence sur l'industrie est indéniable.

Possessive used to describe impact.

He based his argument on solid evidence.

Il a fondé son argument sur des preuves solides.

Possessive used in a logical context.

His legacy will live on for generations.

Son héritage perdurera pendant des générations.

Possessive used for long-term impact.

The philosopher's work is defined by his relentless pursuit of truth.

L'œuvre du philosophe est définie par sa quête incessante de la vérité.

Possessive used in a complex philosophical description.

He articulated his stance with remarkable clarity.

Il a articulé sa position avec une clarté remarquable.

Possessive used with a formal noun for 'opinion'.

His prose is noted for its rhythmic elegance.

Sa prose est remarquée pour son élégance rythmique.

Possessive used in literary criticism.

The diplomat navigated the crisis with his characteristic poise.

Le diplomate a traversé la crise avec son calme caractéristique.

Possessive used with a personal attribute.

He dedicated his life to the eradication of poverty.

Il a consacré sa vie à l'éradication de la pauvreté.

Possessive used for a lifelong commitment.

His interpretation of the text was quite controversial.

Son interprétation du texte était assez controversée.

Possessive used for an intellectual act.

He found himself at the mercy of his own ambition.

Il s'est retrouvé à la merci de sa propre ambition.

Possessive used with 'own' for psychological depth.

His contribution to the field cannot be overstated.

Sa contribution au domaine ne peut être surestimée.

Possessive used in a high-register formal statement.

The protagonist's downfall was precipitated by his hubris.

La chute du protagoniste a été précipitée par son orgueil démesuré.

Possessive used with a classical literary term.

He wielded his authority with both firmness and compassion.

Il a exercé son autorité avec à la fois fermeté et compassion.

Possessive used with a power-related noun.

His oeuvre spans over five decades of artistic innovation.

Son œuvre s'étend sur plus de cinq décennies d'innovation artistique.

Possessive used with a specialized French loanword.

He was haunted by the ghosts of his past mistakes.

Il était hanté par les fantômes de ses erreurs passées.

Possessive used in a metaphorical, evocative sense.

His mastery of the instrument was evident from the first note.

Sa maîtrise de l'instrument était évidente dès la première note.

Possessive used to describe high-level skill.

He meticulously documented his travels across the continent.

Il a méticuleusement documenté ses voyages à travers le continent.

Possessive used in a detailed narrative context.

His rhetoric was designed to incite passion and action.

Sa rhétorique était conçue pour inciter à la passion et à l'action.

Possessive used with a term for persuasive speech.

He remained steadfast in his convictions despite the pressure.

Il est resté ferme dans ses convictions malgré la pression.

Possessive used with deeply held beliefs.

Common Collocations

his own

his life

his way

his time

his hand

his family

his work

his best

his mind

his name

Common Phrases

on his own

— Doing something without help or being alone.

He lives on his own.

in his shoes

— In his situation or position.

I wouldn't want to be in his shoes.

at his best

— Performing at the highest possible level.

He is at his best in the morning.

by his side

— Next to him or supporting him.

She stayed by his side.

of his own accord

— Doing something voluntarily without being asked.

He left of his own accord.

for his sake

— For his benefit or well-being.

We did it for his sake.

to his face

— Directly to him, not behind his back.

I told him to his face.

under his belt

— Safely achieved or experienced.

He has many years of experience under his belt.

keep his word

— To do what he promised.

He always keeps his word.

lose his cool

— To become angry or lose control.

He finally lost his cool.

Often Confused With

his vs he's

He's is a contraction of 'he is' or 'he has'.

his vs him

Him is an object pronoun, not a possessive.

his vs her

Her is the feminine possessive.

Idioms & Expressions

"A man of his word"

— A person who can be trusted to keep a promise.

You can trust him; he's a man of his word.

Informal/Neutral

"In his element"

— In a situation where he is comfortable and excels.

On the football field, he is in his element.

Informal

"Get his goat"

— To annoy or irritate him significantly.

That loud music really gets his goat.

Slang/Informal

"Know his stuff"

— To be very knowledgeable about a subject.

The new mechanic really knows his stuff.

Informal

"Mind his P's and Q's"

— To be careful about his behavior and manners.

He had to mind his P's and Q's at the dinner.

Idiomatic

"Take his breath away"

— To astonish or surprise him greatly.

The view from the top took his breath away.

Informal

"Wet his whistle"

— To have a drink, especially an alcoholic one.

He stopped at the pub to wet his whistle.

Old-fashioned

"Keep his chin up"

— To remain optimistic in a difficult situation.

He's trying to keep his chin up after the loss.

Informal

"Pull his weight"

— To do his fair share of the work.

He needs to start pulling his weight in the office.

Informal

"Burn his bridges"

— To do something that makes it impossible to return to a previous state.

He burned his bridges when he insulted the boss.

Informal

Easily Confused

his vs he's

They sound similar in fast speech.

He's is a verb phrase; his is a possessive.

He's (he is) happy with his (possessive) gift.

his vs him

Both refer to a male third person.

Him is the object; his shows ownership.

I gave him his book.

his vs its

Both are singular possessives.

His is for males; its is for things.

The man took his hat; the dog took its bone.

his vs whose

Both are possessive words.

Whose is for questions/relative clauses; his is for statements.

Whose is this? It is his.

his vs their

Both are third-person possessives.

His is singular; their is plural.

He has his car; they have their car.

Sentence Patterns

His [noun] is [adjective].

His car is fast.

He [verb] his [noun].

He lost his keys.

It was one of his [plural noun].

It was one of his best ideas.

He is known for his [abstract noun].

He is known for his kindness.

His [noun] having [verb-ing]...

His work having been completed, he left.

To each his own [noun].

To each his own preference.

What is his [noun]?

What is his name?

This is his [noun].

This is his house.

Word Family

him

himself

he's

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely High

Common Mistakes

He's dog is small. → His dog is small.
You need the possessive 'his', not the contraction 'he is'.
Sarah lost his bag. → Sarah lost her bag.
Sarah is female, so you must use 'her'.
I like hi's shirt. → I like his shirt.
Possessive pronouns and determiners do not use apostrophes.
The boy took him book. → The boy took his book.
'Him' is an object pronoun; 'his' is the possessive determiner needed here.
Every person must bring his passport. → Every person must bring their passport.
In modern English, 'their' is preferred for gender-neutral singular subjects.

Tips

Check the Noun

If there is a noun right after the word, 'his' is likely correct.

No Apostrophes

Never write 'hi's' or 'his''. It is always just 'his'.

Soft H

Practice saying 'his' quickly in sentences like 'It's his car'.

Context Clues

If you hear 'iz', check if the speaker is talking about a man's possession.

Avoid Repetition

Use 'his' to replace a man's name once you have already mentioned it.

Gender Match

Always make sure the 'his' matches the person owning the object, not the object itself.

His Own

Use 'his own' to add emphasis to the fact that something belongs to him.

Formal Writing

In very formal writing, ensure 'his' has a clear male antecedent.

His vs He's

Remember: He's = He is. His = Possession.

Inclusive Language

Be aware that 'their' is often preferred over 'his' for general groups.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'H' for 'He' and 'IS' for 'Is belonging'. 'His' is what 'He' has.

Visual Association

Imagine a boy holding a sign that says 'MINE' over his bike. That is 'his' bike.

Word Web

he him possessive male ownership determiner singular belonging

Challenge

Try to write five sentences about a famous man using 'his' in every sentence.

Word Origin

Derived from the Old English word 'hēs', which was the genitive form of 'hē' (he). It has been used in English for over a thousand years to denote possession by a male subject.

Original meaning: Of him / belonging to him.

Germanic

Cultural Context

Be careful using 'his' as a default for people whose gender you don't know; 'their' is safer.

The shift from 'his' to 'their' for gender-neutrality is a major trend in modern English.

His Dark Materials (Book series by Philip Pullman) His Girl Friday (Classic film) To Each His Own (Popular song and phrase)

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Family

his mother
his brother
his son
his wife

Possessions

his car
his house
his phone
his money

Body

his head
his arm
his hair
his eyes

Work

his job
his boss
his office
his career

Emotions

his fear
his joy
his anger
his love

Conversation Starters

"What is his favorite movie?"

"How does he spend his weekends?"

"What is his job like?"

"Where does his family live?"

"What is his best quality?"

Journal Prompts

Describe a man you admire and his greatest achievements.

Write about a friend and his favorite hobbies.

Think of a male relative and describe his personality.

Write about a famous person and his impact on the world.

Describe a character from a book and his motivations.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, in modern English, 'his' is used specifically for males. Historically it was more neutral, but that is no longer the case.

Yes, it can be a possessive pronoun. For example, 'The book is his.' In this case, it stands alone.

No, never. 'His' is already possessive, so it doesn't need an apostrophe like a name does.

Use 'his' before a noun (his car) and 'him' after a verb (I saw him).

You can use 'their' as a singular gender-neutral possessive instead of 'his'.

Yes, if the animal is known to be male. Otherwise, 'its' is often used.

No, you should use 'its' for objects. 'His' is only for people or animals.

In casual, fast speech, the 'h' sound is often omitted if the word isn't emphasized.

Yes, it is one of the most frequently used words in the English language.

It is considered A1/A2 level, meaning it is one of the first words a beginner learns.