When to Use His and Her with Rules and Examples
Learning the difference between "his" and "her" is vital for accurate English grammar, especially in exams, writing, and spoken English. These words help show who owns something and are common in questions and class assignments. Mastering their use will boost your marks and confidence in communication.
| Word | Gender | Type | Usage | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| His | Male | Possessive Adjective | Before a noun | His pen is blue. |
| Her | Female | Possessive Adjective | Before a noun | Her book is interesting. |
Difference Between His and Her
The difference between "his" and "her" is simple. "His" means something belongs to a boy or man. "Her" shows something belongs to a girl or woman. Both are possessive adjectives, placed before a noun to indicate ownership.
| Point of Difference | His | Her |
|---|---|---|
| Used for | Boys, men, male animals | Girls, women, female animals |
| Position in Sentence | Before a noun | Before a noun |
| Example | This is his backpack. | This is her backpack. |
| Possessive of | He, him | She, her |
Example sentences:
- His shoes are under the table.
- Her dress is very beautiful.
- I borrowed his notebook for class.
- She forgot her lunch at home.
His: Meaning and Usage
"His" is a possessive adjective used to show that something belongs to a male person or animal. Use "his" only if you are talking about a boy, man, or a male animal. Always put "his" before a noun.
- This is his car. (The car belongs to a male.)
- His bag is on the chair. (The bag belongs to a boy or man.)
- The puppy wagged his tail. (The puppy is male.)
Her: Meaning and Usage
"Her" is a possessive adjective used to show something belongs to a female person or animal. Use "her" when you refer to a girl, woman, or female animal. "Her" is always placed before a noun.
- This is her phone. (The phone belongs to a female.)
- Her umbrella is red. (The umbrella belongs to a woman or girl.)
- The cat licked her paw. (The cat is female.)
Rules for Using His and Her
- Use "his" for males and "her" for females.
- Never use "his" for a girl or woman, or "her" for a boy or man.
- Both words must come before a noun: his bag, her book.
- Do not use "his" or "her" with a plural noun if ownership is shared (use "their").
- For animals, use "his" or "her" only if you know the animal's gender.
Common Mistakes with His and Her
- Wrong: Her is a good boy.
Right: His is a good boy.
Why: "His" is used for a boy. - Wrong: His mother is cooking dinner. (if talking about a girl)
Right: Her mother is cooking dinner.
Why: "Her" is for a girl. - Wrong: The dog wags his tail. (if the dog is female)
Right: The dog wags her tail.
His and Her: Fill-in-the-Blanks Practice
| Sentence | Correct Word |
|---|---|
| Ramesh forgot _____ homework. | his |
| Sara loves _____ puppy. | her |
| He opened _____ book. | his |
| She lost _____ pen. | her |
Tips for Remembering the Difference
- Connect "his" to "he" (both for boys/men).
- Connect "her" to "she" (both for girls/women).
- Always think about the owner’s gender before choosing the word.
- Practice with sentences daily for exams and real use.
- For objects or unknown gender, use "their" in modern English.
More Examples with His and Her
- His favorite subject is science.
- Her hobby is painting.
- John lost his keys.
- Priya called her friends.
How This Helps in Exams and Daily English
Knowing when to use "his" or "her" is tested in class work, homework, and competitive exams. It also helps in daily conversation and formal writing. Vedantu recommends regular practice with exercises to avoid mistakes and improve fluency.
Further Learning at Vedantu
For a complete understanding, read about possessive adjectives, personal pronouns, and try possessive pronouns exercises. Practice quizzes help you master these concepts for exams and daily use.
In summary, the difference between "his" and "her" is clear: use "his" for males and "her" for females. Both show possession before a noun. Understanding this rule is key for accurate, error-free English in school, exams, writing, and speech.
FAQs on Difference Between His and Her in English Grammar
1. What is the difference between his and her in English grammar?
The main difference between his and her is that his is used for a male owner, while her is used for a female owner. Both words are possessive determiners that show ownership.
- His book = the book belongs to a boy or man.
- Her bag = the bag belongs to a girl or woman.
2. Is his and her a possessive adjective?
Yes, his and her are possessive adjectives (also called possessive determiners) in English grammar. They describe who owns something and come before a noun.
- His car is new.
- Her dress is beautiful.
3. How do you use his in a sentence?
You use his before a noun to show that something belongs to a male person or animal. It functions as a possessive determiner.
- John forgot his keys.
- The dog wagged his tail.
4. How do you use her in a sentence?
You use her before a noun to show that something belongs to a female person or animal. It acts as a possessive determiner.
- Maria loves her family.
- The cat licked her paw.
5. What is the difference between her and hers?
The difference is that her is a possessive adjective used before a noun, while hers is a possessive pronoun used without a noun.
- This is her pen. (before noun)
- This pen is hers. (no noun after it)
6. What is the difference between his and him?
The difference is that his shows possession, while him is an object pronoun.
- I saw him. (object of the verb)
- I borrowed his book. (shows ownership)
7. Can his and her be used without a noun?
No, his and her as possessive adjectives must be followed by a noun.
- Correct: This is his car.
- Incorrect: This car is his (Here, his works as a possessive pronoun, which is acceptable, but not as a determiner).
8. Are his and her gender-specific pronouns?
Yes, his refers to males and her refers to females in traditional English grammar. They show gender-based possession.
- The boy lost his phone.
- The girl lost her phone.
9. What are common mistakes when using his and her?
A common mistake is confusing her as an object pronoun with her as a possessive adjective.
- Correct (possessive): She forgot her wallet.
- Correct (object): I called her.
10. What part of speech are his and her?
In the phrase “his book” or “her bag,” his and her function as possessive determiners (possessive adjectives). They modify a noun and show ownership.
- They come before a noun.
- They answer the question “Whose?”
- They agree with the owner, not the object.
