Her vs. Him: What's the Difference?
Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Published on October 27, 2023
"Her" is a feminine pronoun, while "Him" is a masculine pronoun.
Key Differences
"Her" and "Him" are both personal pronouns in the English language. "Her" is specifically used as a possessive determiner, referring to something that belongs to a female, and also as an object pronoun for a female. On the other hand, "Him" is solely used as an object pronoun for a male. Both words represent gender-specific entities or persons, with "Her" focusing on the female aspect and "Him" on the male.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
Usage of "Her" and "Him" is essential in sentences to provide clarity. If we were talking about a book that belongs to a female, we would say, "This is her book." Conversely, if we're discussing a male being given something, we'd state, "I gave it to him." Both "Her" and "Him" serve the purpose of establishing a clear subject or ownership in context.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
In terms of position in a sentence, "Her" can act both as an object pronoun and a possessive determiner. For instance, "I spoke to her" (object pronoun) and "Her coat is blue" (possessive determiner). "Him", however, only takes on the role of an object pronoun, as in "She called him."
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
When learning English, understanding the distinction between "Her" and "Him" is pivotal. Since "Her" can serve two functions and "Him" only one, learners need to be cautious about their application. Both "Her" and "Him" are integral in daily conversations, making it crucial to master their proper use.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
In the broader scope of linguistics, "Her" and "Him" contribute to the gendered nature of the English language. While both words are gender-specific, they each cater to different genders, with "Her" for females and "Him" for males. This distinction is mirrored in many other languages, where gender plays a role in the grammatical structure.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Usage Frequency
Used more often due to dual function
Used specifically as object pronoun
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
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Her and Him Definitions
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Her
Indicating ownership or relation to a female entity.
Her sister is coming today.
Harlon Moss
Oct 10, 2023
Her
Belonging to her (belonging to that female, or in poetic or old-fashioned language that ship, city, season, etc).
This is her book
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Her
Belonging to a person of unspecified gender to counterbalance the traditional "his" in this sense.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Her
The form of she used after a preposition, as the object of a verb, or (deprecated) with a conjunction; that woman, that ship, etc.
Give it to her
He wrote her a letter
He treated her for a cold
Him and her went for a walk
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Her
(informal) A female person or animal.
I think this bird is a him, but it may be a her.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Her
The form of the objective and the possessive case of the personal pronoun she; as, I saw her with her purse out.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Him
With nominative effect: he, especially as a predicate after be, or following a preposition.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Him
(informal) A male person or animal.
I think this bird is a him, but it may be a her.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Him
The objective case of he. See He.
Him that is weak in the faith receive.
Friends who have given him the most sympathy.
I never saw but Humphrey, duke of Gloster,Did bear him like a noble gentleman.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
FAQs
Can "Her" be used as both object pronoun and possessive determiner?
Yes, "Her" can function in both roles.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
How do I differentiate between "Her" as an object and as a determiner?
In sentences like "I told her" it's an object. In "Her book", it's a determiner.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 27, 2023
Is the same true for "Him"?
Yes, "Him" can refer to non-human entities perceived as male.
Sara Rehman
Oct 27, 2023
Can "Him" be placed at the beginning of a sentence for emphasis?
Yes, e.g., "Him being the expert, we listened."
Janet White
Oct 27, 2023
Can "Him" be used as a possessive determiner?
No, "Him" is solely an object pronoun.
Sara Rehman
Oct 27, 2023
Why is gender distinction important in English?
It adds clarity and specificity to sentences.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
Do other languages have equivalents to "Her" and "Him"?
Yes, many languages have gendered pronouns.
Aimie Carlson
Oct 27, 2023
Can "Her" and "Him" be used interchangeably?
No, they cater to different genders and functions.
Janet White
Oct 27, 2023
Are "Her" and "Him" subject pronouns?
No, "She" is the subject pronoun for "Her", and "He" for "Him".
Janet White
Oct 27, 2023
Is "Her" the opposite of "His"?
Not exactly. "Her" can be equivalent to "Him" or "His" depending on context.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
Can "Her" refer to non-human entities?
Yes, if the entity is perceived or referred to as female.
Sara Rehman
Oct 27, 2023
Is it ever grammatically correct to use "Him" as a subject?
No, "He" is the correct subject pronoun.
Janet White
Oct 27, 2023
Is "Her" always followed by a noun?
Not always. It is when used as a determiner, but not as an object pronoun.
Sara Rehman
Oct 27, 2023
Are there neutral alternatives to "Her" and "Him"?
Yes, "Them" can be used as a neutral singular pronoun.
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
Is it correct to say "book of him" instead of "his book"?
No, the correct possessive pronoun for masculine is "his".
Janet White
Oct 27, 2023
Can "Her" start a sentence similarly?
Yes, e.g., "Her being the doctor, she knew best."
Sawaira Riaz
Oct 27, 2023
In what scenarios might "Him" be preferred over "He"?
When the male is the object, like "I saw him."
Aimie Carlson
Oct 27, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
