him

IPA/hɪm/
KK[hˈɪm]IPA/hɪm/

him — 代名詞

1. The object form of "he" — used instead of "he" when the male being (a man, a boy

1.代名詞A1
釋義

他

指已提及的男性或雄性動物

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.

例句

Trang called him twice last night but got no answer.

Trang 昨晚打了兩次電話給他，但都沒人接。

object of verb: called him

The package is for Asher — please give it to him.

這個包裹是給 Asher 的——請交給他。

after preposition: to him

反義詞
  • 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

❌Him went to the store.
✅He went to the store.
💡"Him" is the object form; use "he" as the subject before the verb.
❌I saw he at the park.
✅I saw him at the park.
💡After a verb like "saw," use the object form "him," not the subject form "he."

2. A traditional use of the male object pronoun where the person's gender is either

2.代名詞B2
釋義

此人；對方

性別不明或不重要時所指的人

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.

例句

If a student wishes to appeal, the school must notify him of the procedure.

若學生提出申訴，校方應將程序通知此人。

generic reference: a student ... him

The hotel will greet each guest and show him to the room.

飯店會接待每位客人，並帶他前往房間。

同義詞
  • 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This generic use of "him" is increasingly seen as outdated.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.

常見錯誤

❌Using 'him' generically in conversation or modern writing where 'them' sounds more natural.
✅If anyone calls, tell them I will be late.
💡Singular 'them' is now the standard choice for gender-neutral reference.