him
Pronoun
UK/hɪm/US/hɪm/
Used as the object form of 'he', referring to a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified.
Example Sentences
She handed him the keys before leaving.
They saw him standing at the bus stop.
The teacher congratulated him for his excellent presentation.
Marie guided him through the unfamiliar building.
We didn’t recognize him at first because he wore a disguise.
His family trusted him wholeheartedly despite the misunderstandings.
We spotted him in the crowd and waved frantically, hoping he would notice us and come over to join the celebration.
Because the manager had spoken with him privately earlier, we waited outside the office to see if there would be any changes to his position or responsibilities.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
An object pronoun used to refer to a male individual in third-person context.This pronoun is employed when referring to a male person as the object of a sentence or clause. For example, in the sentence “I saw him at the store,” “him” functions as the object of the verb “saw.” It can also serve as the indirect object, as in “I gave him the book,” where “him” receives the object “book.” Additionally, it’s used after prepositions (e.g., “Talk to him about the plan,” “Sit next to him,” etc.). Because it is specifically masculine, it’s important to ensure that the person being referenced prefers masculine pronouns or that the individual is, in fact, male. In formal writing, “him” is the correct third-person singular objective form of “he,” so it helps maintain clarity about who is receiving or affected by the action. When writing or speaking, placing “him” properly ensures grammatical coherence. Incorrect usage, such as substituting “him” for “he” (e.g., “Him went to the store”), is a frequent mistake. Paying attention to the function of pronouns in a sentence—subject versus object—prevents confusion. Overall, “him” is a straightforward way to indicate a male individual who is not the subject but rather the recipient of an action or in a relationship with a preposition.
Alternatives
Alternatives to this pronoun can arise from context or social considerations. If the person prefers gender-neutral language, “them” might be appropriate. In cases where you refer to multiple individuals, “them” or “those men” could also be used if accuracy and inclusion are priorities. While “him” is the standard object pronoun for a male, sometimes rewriting the sentence to avoid the pronoun can make sense—especially if you want to emphasize the individual’s name or maintain formal style. For instance, instead of “I handed the folder to him,” you might say, “I handed the folder to Michael,” or “I gave Michael the folder.” These variations can help avoid excessive pronoun use and possible ambiguity, especially if multiple male individuals are present. Nonetheless, “him” remains the most direct and commonly accepted pronoun when speaking of a singular male in everyday contexts.
Writing
When writing, using “him” properly is crucial for grammatical clarity. First, confirm that the person you’re referencing identifies with he/him pronouns. Next, ensure it appears in the object position, not as the subject. For instance, “I invited him to the meeting” is correct, whereas “Him came to the meeting” is not.Pay attention to coherence in a paragraph: if multiple male individuals are involved, alternating names and pronouns helps reduce confusion. For formal pieces, avoid overusing pronouns by substituting the person’s name occasionally. This creates a smoother reading experience without risking repetitive phrasing. Also, respect inclusivity and correctness—if someone’s pronouns differ, it’s essential to honor that. Grammar guides often emphasize the difference between subject (“he”) and object (“him”), so double-check your sentence structure. Keeping these points in mind ensures your writing remains clear, accurate, and respectful when referencing a male individual as an object in the sentence.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “him” is a basic way to reference a male individual when he’s not the one performing the action. You might say, “I met him at the movies,” or “I gave him a call.” People typically understand its meaning immediately: it identifies which male you’re talking about as the direct recipient of your action. It’s also common in casual settings to mix in a person’s name for clarity: “I saw John earlier and asked him about the party.” This approach prevents confusion if multiple men are around. Remember, if you’re chatting informally but still care about correct grammar, make sure “him” is used as an object pronoun, never as the subject. Most importantly, consider politeness—if someone’s pronouns differ (for instance, they use “they/them” instead of “he/him”), show respect by using the correct ones.
Etymology
The pronoun “him” originates from the Old English “him,” which was the dative form of “he.” Over time, English syntax evolved, and the dative case merged with the accusative, both becoming the modern objective case. This shift paralleled broader language developments that moved English away from its once highly inflected roots toward a more analytic structure.Historically, “him” stems from the Proto-Germanic *himē, sharing linguistic ties with cognates in other Germanic tongues. As English simplified its grammatical cases, “him” persisted as the standard objective pronoun for third-person singular masculine references. Its usage remains a core aspect of English grammar, recognized and utilized in both formal and informal contexts. Understanding its background helps illustrate the general trend in English: reducing inflections but preserving essential pronoun forms for clarity.