When to Use Him vs Her: Simple Rules and Common Mistakes
Understanding the difference between "him" and "her" is essential for using English pronouns correctly. These words are often confused by students during exams and in everyday conversation. Knowing when to use each helps you avoid common grammar mistakes in writing and speaking. This will help you improve both your school and competitive exam skills.
| Word | Type | Gender | Main Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| him | Object Pronoun | Male | Used as the object of a verb or preposition | I met him at the park. |
| her | Object Pronoun / Possessive Adjective | Female | Object pronoun: as the object of a verb/preposition Possessive adjective: to show ownership (her book) |
I called her yesterday. Her bag is blue. |
Difference Between Him and Her
The main difference between "him" and "her" is their gender reference and grammatical use. "Him" is used for males as the object of a verb or preposition, while "her" is used for females either as an object pronoun or to show possession. Getting this right is important for accurate sentence structure in English.
Definitions and Pronoun Rules
"Him" is the object form of "he" and should only refer to one male. "Her" is the object form of "she" and refers to one female. "Her" can also act as a possessive adjective, describing something that belongs to a female. Always match the gender and grammatical function when choosing between "him" and "her."
Usage Rules for "Him" and "Her"
- "Him" is only used for a male person or animal as an object pronoun.
- "Her" is used for a female person or animal as an object pronoun.
- Use "her" as a possessive adjective: to describe something belonging to a female.
- Never use "him" for females, or "her" for males as object pronouns.
Examples: Him vs Her in Sentences
- I gave him the book. (male object)
- We saw her at the store. (female object)
- Can you call him, please? (ask about a boy/man)
- Mary forgot her keys. (possessive adjective: keys belong to Mary)
- The dog followed him home.
- The teacher noticed her answer was correct.
- I will invite him to the party.
- She gave her friend a gift.
- They helped him with his homework.
- I sat next to her during the movie.
Common Mistakes and Helpful Tips
- Do not use "him" for a female, and do not use "her" for a male as object pronouns in standard English.
- Remember: "him" is always about a male; "her" can be object pronoun (female) or possessive adjective (female's).
- For objects, use "it," not "him" or "her," unless talking about animals with known gender.
- In spoken English, some may call pets "him" or "her" based on the pet’s gender.
- Tip: If you can replace the word with "he" in the subject (he -> him), it is "him"; if "she" (she -> her), it is "her".
Practice Questions: Him or Her?
- 1. Sarah gave _____ a letter. (him/her)
- 2. I met _____ at the library. (him/her)
- 3. Please talk to _____ after class. (him/her)
- 4. John brought _____ lunch. (him/her)
- 5. The teacher asked _____ to answer. (him/her)
Try to fill in the blanks using the right pronoun. Answers: 1. him, 2. her, 3. him, 4. her, 5. him
Why Learning Him and Her Is Important
Correctly using "him" and "her" improves your writing, speaking, and exam performance. Understanding object pronouns helps you sound professional and clear. Mastery of pronouns also supports competitive exams like Olympiads and board tests. At Vedantu, we explain grammar in ways that are easy for all learners.
To learn more about personal pronouns, visit our Personal Pronouns page. You can also try more pronoun exercises or read about object pronouns for extra practice.
In summary, the difference between "him" and "her" is in their gender and sentence role. "Him" is for males as objects, and "her" is for females as objects or showing ownership. Knowing this helps you write and speak English confidently and correctly every time.
FAQs on Difference Between Him and Her in English Grammar
1. When do we use "him" and "her" in a sentence?
Use him as the object pronoun for a male and her as the object pronoun for a female. This means they replace nouns that receive the action of the verb. For example: "I gave the book to him." "She spoke to her friend."
2. Can "him" be used for girls or only boys?
No, "him" is the object pronoun for males only. Using "him" to refer to a female is grammatically incorrect. The correct object pronoun for a female is always her. This is a key difference in English gender pronoun rules.
3. Is "her" a possessive pronoun or an object pronoun?
"Her" can be both. As a possessive pronoun, it shows ownership (e.g., "That's her car."). As an object pronoun, it receives the action of the verb (e.g., "I gave the gift to her."). Understanding this distinction is crucial for mastering English grammar and avoiding common mistakes in pronoun usage.
4. What are some example sentences using "him" and "her"?
Here are some examples illustrating the correct use of him and her: I saw him at the store. She talked to him about the project. The teacher praised her for her hard work. He gave the present to her. These examples show how to use him and her in various sentence structures.
5. Can you use both "him" and "her" in the same sentence?
Yes, you can use both "him" and "her" in the same sentence, as long as they refer to different people. For example: "She gave the book to him, and he gave it to her." This showcases correct use of object pronouns. Proper pronoun usage is essential.
6. When to use her or him?
Use him for male recipients of an action, and her for female recipients. It's all about who receives the verb's action. Understanding subject vs. object pronouns is key.
7. Is her for a boy or a girl?
Her is used for a girl or woman; it is a female object pronoun. Remember that "him" is for a boy or man.
8. Where to use him and her?
Use him and her after action verbs (as object pronouns). For example: "I gave the gift to him." "She wrote a letter to her." Understanding object pronouns is crucial for grammar.
9. Can we use him for females?
No, using him for females is grammatically incorrect in English. Use her for females.
10. How do him and her work as pronouns?
Him and her are object pronouns; they replace nouns receiving the action. Knowing the difference between subject and object pronouns is essential for clear communication and proper grammar.
11. Him use for boy or girl?
Him is used only for a boy or man. It's the object pronoun for the masculine gender.
12. Her is used for?
Her is used for a girl or woman. It functions as the object pronoun for the feminine gender. Understanding object pronouns is a key part of grammar.
13. Her used for boy or girl?
Her is used for a girl or woman, not a boy. Him is the object pronoun for males.
14. Difference between his and her?
His shows possession for males, while her shows possession for females. Both are possessive pronouns indicating ownership. This is an important distinction for grammar.
