him
him — pronoun
1. The object form of "he" — used instead of "he" when the male being (a man, a boy
The object form of "he" — used instead of "he" when the male being (a man, a boy, or a male creature of any kind) is the grammatical object of a sentence: it comes after a verb, after a preposition, or after a linking verb such as "be." The referent is someone already introduced or clearly understood from the situation.
Trang called him twice last night but got no answer.
object of verb: called him
The package is for Asher — please give it to him.
after preposition: to him
Ayana sat next to him during the long bus ride.
If you see Mateo, tell him the meeting time has changed.
The puppy followed Walid everywhere, and Nila fed him treats.
- her
Female equivalent — used when referring to a female person or animal as the object
文法句型
verb + him
preposition + him
be + him
用法筆記
Object of a verb or preposition. Unlike subject "he" (which goes before the verb), "him" goes after the verb or preposition. Frequently used with the verb "be" in formal English: "It was him who called." (Some grammar guides prefer "It is he" in very formal writing, but "It is him" is standard in everyday speech.)
常見錯誤
2. A traditional use of the male object pronoun where the person's gender is either
A traditional use of the male object pronoun where the person's gender is either unknown or not relevant. It appears after verbs and prepositions in older or formal English, treating the male form as a default for any person. In contemporary writing, "them" (singular they) has largely replaced this pattern.
If a student wishes to appeal, the school must notify him of the procedure.
generic reference: a student ... him
The hotel will greet each guest and show him to the room.
When someone calls, ask him to leave a message.
When a patient arrives, the nurse should assist him to the waiting area.
- them
Modern gender-neutral alternative; singular "they/them" is now widely accepted where traditional grammar used "he/him"
文法句型
indefinite antecedent + verb + him
preposition + him (generic)
用法筆記
This generic use of "him" is increasingly seen as outdated. Many style guides now recommend "them" (singular they) instead: "If a student wishes to appeal, the school must notify them." However, "him" in this sense still appears in older texts, legal documents, and formal policies. Distinguish from sense 1: in sense 1 the referent is clearly male; in sense 2 the referent could be any person regardless of gender.