his
Determiner
UK/hɪz/US/hɪz/
Belonging to or associated with a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified.
Example Sentences
This is his car.
She read his letter with great interest.
The teacher admired his dedication throughout the semester.
We followed his instructions carefully to avoid mistakes.
They discovered his hidden talents during the rehearsal.
Doctors praised his determination to recover after the accident.
Proud of his achievements, the family organized a surprise party to celebrate his hard work and perseverance.
Despite several setbacks, he maintained his composure and pushed through every obstacle, proving his resilience.
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Pronoun
UK/hɪz/US/hɪz/
Used to refer to something belonging to or associated with a male person or animal previously mentioned or easily identified.
Example Sentences
That's not my jacket; it's his.
The book on the table is his, not yours.
We thought the coat was hers, but we realized it was his after checking the pockets.
He left early, so I assumed the backpack was his and took it to lost and found.
If you find the glove with the initials RJ, it's his because those are his initials.
It's never right to take something that’s rightfully his.
Everyone believed the missing phone was unclaimed, but he reclaimed it, stating confidently that it was his, despite the confusion caused by multiple similar models.
After their lengthy discussion, they agreed the final decision was his to make, and they would respect whatever choice he arrived at.
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Synonyms
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How to Use
Indicates something belongs to a male individual.This term is a possessive determiner and pronoun used to show that something belongs to or is associated with a male individual. For example, “Is that his book?” clarifies that the book belongs to him rather than someone else. It can also stand in for a noun to avoid repetition, as in “This desk is his,” which means the same as “This desk belongs to him.” Positionally, “his” can appear before a noun (“his coat”) or function independently without a following noun (“That seat is his”). In formal or academic writing, it provides a concise way to denote possession while keeping sentences clear. However, remember to use it only when referring to someone who uses he/him pronouns. If you’re uncertain about a person’s gender identity or pronouns, consider a neutral alternative like “their.” One challenge in writing or speech arises if multiple male subjects appear in a conversation or text. In such cases, substituting proper names intermittently can help prevent confusion about whose belongings you are referencing. Using “his” in moderation helps maintain clarity, especially in longer discussions featuring multiple male individuals. Overall, “his” is straightforward: it signals ownership or association with a masculine subject and simplifies expression by replacing lengthier possessive constructions such as “belonging to the man” or “belonging to the boy.”
Alternatives
Alternatives to this pronoun generally revolve around different possessive forms, whether for gender neutrality or clarity. For a neutral approach, “their” is increasingly common in modern usage, especially when referring to a person of unspecified or non-binary gender. Instead of “his computer,” you might say “their computer” to include broader identities or if the individual’s gender is unknown. When specifying ownership for multiple people, “their” remains a useful alternative, indicating possession shared by more than one individual. If you need to emphasize an individual by name for clarity, you could simply restate the name in a possessive form (e.g., “Michael’s coat”) rather than using a pronoun. In certain documents or narratives, substituting pronouns with a person’s name can help reduce ambiguity and keep the text concise. Overall, these alternatives offer flexibility in a variety of contexts, from formal writing to inclusive conversation, allowing you to adapt your language to specific needs and preferences while still effectively indicating possession.
Writing
When writing with this pronoun, clarity about who or what is being referred to is paramount. If you have multiple male subjects, be cautious in your usage to avoid confusion—for instance, repeating “his” too often in a paragraph can obscure who owns what. In formal or academic contexts, you might vary between a person’s name and pronoun to ensure the reader can easily track references. Additionally, double-check that you are correctly respecting each individual’s chosen pronouns. Using the wrong possessive determiner can be disrespectful or misleading. In some cases, you may opt for more explicit references like “the department head’s decision” rather than “his decision” to emphasize the person’s role or to avoid pronoun repetition. Finally, ensuring you don’t overuse “his” in a paragraph will keep the text from feeling monotonous or confusing. Strategic variation and thoughtful editing can make your writing more readable and precise.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, this pronoun is straightforward and commonly used. You might say “Don’t forget to bring his jacket!” or “I just saw his new phone, and it’s awesome!” to make it clear whose item you’re talking about. It usually feels natural in quick exchanges or informal chats. Still, be mindful in group situations—if people aren’t certain which ‘he’ you mean, reintroduce the person’s name. If you’re talking about your friend Mark in a group context, you might say, “Mark just left his wallet on the table.” This small clarification prevents confusion and keeps the conversation flowing smoothly. Additionally, if you’re unsure of someone’s pronouns, it’s courteous to ask rather than assume. Simple gestures like this help foster respect and comfort in casual interactions.
Etymology
The pronoun “his” originates from Old English “hises” or “his,” which was the genitive (possessive) form of the pronoun “he.” These Old English pronouns were more heavily inflected than modern English, indicating grammatical case through distinct endings. Over time, English shed many inflectional endings, but “his” remained as the standard possessive marker for masculine singular references.Historically, “his” has served dual functions as both a determiner (e.g., “his book”) and an independent pronoun (“That book is his”). Cognates exist in other Germanic languages, reflecting a common linguistic heritage. As English has evolved, usage norms around pronouns, including “his,” have shifted slightly to reflect changing attitudes about gender and inclusivity. Nonetheless, this pronoun retains its longstanding role in representing ownership or association for a singular male individual, bridging centuries of linguistic development from Old English to the present.