Him vs. His

Attribute	Him	His
Gender	Male	Male
Possessive pronoun	Himself	His own
Usage	Used as an object pronoun	Used as a possessive pronoun
Function	Refers to a male person or animal	Shows possession or ownership

Introduction

When it comes to pronouns, "him" and "his" are two commonly used words that can sometimes be confusing for English learners. While both words are used to refer to a male person or object, they have distinct attributes that set them apart. In this article, we will explore the differences between "him" and "his" in terms of their usage, meaning, and grammatical functions.

Usage

The word "him" is typically used as an object pronoun in a sentence. It is used to refer to a male person or object that is the recipient of an action. For example, in the sentence "I gave him the book," "him" is used to indicate the person who received the book. On the other hand, the word "his" is a possessive pronoun that shows ownership or belonging. For instance, in the sentence "This is his car," "his" indicates that the car belongs to the male person being referred to.

Meaning

While both "him" and "his" are used to refer to a male person or object, they convey different meanings in a sentence. "Him" is used to indicate the object of an action or the recipient of something. It is often used in sentences where the male person is receiving something or being acted upon. On the other hand, "his" is used to show possession or ownership. It indicates that something belongs to the male person being referred to.

Grammatical Functions

From a grammatical perspective, "him" is classified as an object pronoun, while "his" is considered a possessive pronoun. Object pronouns are used as the object of a verb or preposition in a sentence, while possessive pronouns show ownership or belonging. For example, in the sentence "She gave him a gift," "him" is the object of the verb "gave." In contrast, in the sentence "This is his house," "his" shows that the house belongs to the male person.

Examples

Here are some examples to illustrate the differences between "him" and "his" in context:

• "I saw him at the store." (him as an object pronoun)
• "He lost his keys." (his as a possessive pronoun)
• "She gave him her phone number." (him as an object pronoun)
• "His dog is very friendly." (his as a possessive pronoun)

Conclusion

In conclusion, while "him" and "his" are both used to refer to a male person or object, they serve different grammatical functions and convey distinct meanings in a sentence. "Him" is used as an object pronoun to indicate the recipient of an action, while "his" is a possessive pronoun that shows ownership or belonging. Understanding the differences between these two pronouns can help improve your English language skills and communication. Next time you use "him" or "his" in a sentence, remember their unique attributes and use them correctly.