Definition of “He”
“He” is a third-person singular pronoun in the English language, used to refer to a male or a masculine-gendered person as the subject of a sentence. It can refer to a boy, man, or a male animal. “He” functions as the subject of the verb, meaning the individual referred to by “he” is the one performing the action. In traditional use, “he” is exclusively used for males, but historically, it was sometimes used generically to refer to a person whose gender was unknown (though this practice is now outdated and replaced by gender-neutral pronouns like “they”).
Uses of “He”
1. Referring to a Male Person
The most common use of “he” is to refer to a man, boy, or male in the subject position of a sentence.
- Examples:
- “He is my brother.”
- “He went to the store to buy groceries.”
- “He plays football every weekend.”
2. Referring to a Male Animal
“He” can also refer to a male animal when the gender is known.
- Examples:
- “That dog is strong; he can jump very high.”
- “He is a brave lion.”
3. Historical Use as a Gender-Neutral Pronoun
In older or more formal contexts, “he” was sometimes used to refer to an unspecified person when gender was not known, but this usage is considered outdated and is generally avoided today in favor of more inclusive language such as “they.”
- Examples (outdated):
- “Each student must bring his own notebook.” (used generically in the past)
- “If anyone needs help, he can ask the teacher.”
Grammatical Role of “He”
1. Subject Pronoun
“He” functions as a subject pronoun, which means it is used to indicate who is performing the action in a sentence. It is always used in reference to a singular male person or male animal.
- Examples:
- “He runs every morning.” (Subject of the verb “runs”)
- “He likes reading books.” (Subject of the verb “likes”)
2. Possessive Form: “His”
The possessive form of “he” is “his”, which is used to show ownership or possession by the male person or animal referred to.
- Examples:
- “He left his jacket in the car.”
- “His favorite color is blue.”
3. Object Form: “Him”
The object form of “he” is “him”, which is used when the male person or animal is receiving the action in a sentence.
- Examples:
- “I gave him the book.” (Him is the object receiving the book)
- “She saw him at the park.”
4. Reflexive Form: “Himself”
The reflexive form of “he” is “himself,” which is used when the subject and the object refer to the same person. This form shows that the action is done by and for the same individual.
- Examples:
- “He fixed the problem himself.”
- “He hurt himself while playing soccer.”
Common Phrases with “He”
1. “He who”
This phrase is used in more formal or literary contexts to introduce a general truth or statement about a group of people, referring to males in particular.
- Examples:
- “He who dares, wins.”
- “He who hesitates is lost.”
2. “He said, she said”
This common phrase refers to a situation where two people have different versions of the same event, and there is no clear way to determine who is telling the truth.
- Examples:
- “It’s just a case of he said, she said. No one knows what really happened.”
Common Mistakes with “He”
1. Using “He” for Non-Human Objects
In English, “he” should not be used for inanimate objects or non-human things (unless personified in literature or stories). Inanimate objects are typically referred to as “it.”
- Incorrect: “The chair is broken, he needs to be fixed.”
- Correct: “The chair is broken, it needs to be fixed.”
2. Confusing “He” with “They” in Gender-Neutral Contexts
Some writers or speakers still mistakenly use “he” in situations where the gender of the person is unknown or irrelevant. The modern preference is to use “they” to avoid gender bias and be more inclusive.
- Incorrect: “If someone is late, he should notify the office.”
- Correct: “If someone is late, they should notify the office.”
3. Mixing Up Subject and Object Pronouns
Sometimes, “he” is mistakenly used where “him” should be used, especially in more complex sentences. “He” is the subject of the sentence, while “him” is the object.
- Incorrect: “The teacher gave he the book.”
- Correct: “The teacher gave him the book.”
Importance of “He” in Communication
“He” plays an important role in communication by allowing speakers and writers to refer specifically to male individuals or male animals. Its proper usage is essential for clear, concise communication, especially in contexts where the gender of the subject is known and relevant.
As the use of gender-neutral language becomes more prominent, it’s important to know when to use “he” appropriately and when to opt for more inclusive alternatives, such as “they,” to avoid gender bias and ensure everyone feels respected and represented.
Conclusion
“He” is a third-person singular pronoun used to refer to male individuals or male animals in the subject position of a sentence. Understanding its correct usage, along with its possessive (“his”), object (“him”), and reflexive (“himself”) forms, is essential for proper grammar. As society moves toward more inclusive language, knowing when to use “he” versus gender-neutral pronouns is becoming increasingly important for both spoken and written communication.