He vs. Him

Attribute	He	Him
Subject Pronoun	He	Him
Objective Pronoun	-	Him
Possessive Pronoun	His	His
Reflexive Pronoun	Himself	Himself
Used as a subject	Yes	No
Used as an object	No	Yes
Used to indicate possession	Yes	Yes
Used for reflexive actions	Yes	Yes

Introduction

When it comes to the English language, pronouns play a crucial role in communication. Two commonly used pronouns are "he" and "him." While they may seem similar, they have distinct attributes that set them apart. In this article, we will explore the differences and similarities between "he" and "him" and understand how they are used in different contexts.

Subject Pronoun: He

The pronoun "he" is a subject pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal who is the subject of a sentence. It is the nominative form of the pronoun, indicating that it is used when the person or animal is performing the action. For example, in the sentence "He is running," "he" is the subject pronoun as it refers to the person who is performing the action of running.

One of the key attributes of "he" is that it is used when the pronoun is the subject of a sentence or clause. It is also used when the pronoun is part of a subject complement, such as in the sentence "The winner is he." In this case, "he" is used to complete the subject and provide additional information about the person being referred to.

Furthermore, "he" is used to refer to a male person or animal in a gender-specific context. It is important to note that "he" is not used to refer to inanimate objects or non-living things. For example, we would not say "He is a book" as it does not make grammatical sense.

Additionally, "he" can be used in combination with other words to form compound subjects. For instance, in the sentence "He and his brother are playing soccer," "he" is used along with "his brother" to form a compound subject, indicating that both individuals are engaged in the activity.

In summary, "he" is a subject pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal who is the subject of a sentence or clause. It is used in gender-specific contexts and can form compound subjects when combined with other words.

Object Pronoun: Him

The pronoun "him" is an object pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal who is the object of a verb or preposition. It is the accusative form of the pronoun, indicating that it is used when the person or animal is receiving the action. For example, in the sentence "I gave him a gift," "him" is the object pronoun as it refers to the person who is receiving the gift.

One of the key attributes of "him" is that it is used when the pronoun is the object of a sentence or clause. It is also used when the pronoun is part of an object complement, such as in the sentence "I consider him a friend." In this case, "him" is used to complete the object and provide additional information about the person being referred to.

Furthermore, "him" is used to refer to a male person or animal in a gender-specific context, just like "he." However, unlike "he," "him" can also be used to refer to inanimate objects or non-living things. For example, we can say "I saw him at the store" when referring to a book or any other object.

Additionally, "him" can be used in combination with other words to form compound objects. For instance, in the sentence "I invited him and his brother to the party," "him" is used along with "his brother" to form a compound object, indicating that both individuals are being invited.

In summary, "him" is an object pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal who is the object of a verb or preposition. It is used in gender-specific contexts and can refer to both animate and inanimate objects. It can also form compound objects when combined with other words.

Usage Examples

To further understand the attributes of "he" and "him," let's explore some usage examples:

Examples of "he"

• He is a talented musician who plays the piano beautifully.
• John said he would be here by 7 PM.
• Sheila and he are going on a vacation together.
• He loves to read books and expand his knowledge.
• When he arrived at the party, everyone cheered for him.

Examples of "him"

• I gave him a birthday present that he really liked.
• She saw him at the park, walking his dog.
• They consider him a valuable member of the team.
• My sister and I invited him and his girlfriend to dinner.
• After the game, the coach congratulated him on his performance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while "he" and "him" may seem similar, they have distinct attributes that differentiate them. "He" is a subject pronoun used when the pronoun is the subject of a sentence or clause, referring to a male person or animal. On the other hand, "him" is an object pronoun used when the pronoun is the object of a verb or preposition, also referring to a male person or animal. While "he" is used in gender-specific contexts and cannot refer to inanimate objects, "him" can be used in both animate and inanimate contexts. Understanding the differences between "he" and "him" is essential for effective communication in the English language.