How to Use His and Her Correctly: 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. Learn 'his', 'her', and 'their' differences.
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 What Is the Difference Between His and Her?
1. What is the difference between 'his' and 'her'?
His and her are possessive adjectives indicating ownership. His shows possession by a male, while her shows possession by a female. Both are used before a noun. For example: That is his car. That is her book.
2. Is 'his' for a boy or girl?
His is a possessive adjective used to show possession by a male, whether a boy or a man. It always comes before the noun it modifies. For instance: That's his toy; This is his house.
3. What is the difference between 'her' and 'hers'?
Her is a possessive adjective used before a noun (e.g., her car). Hers is a possessive pronoun and stands alone (e.g., The car is hers). They both indicate possession by a female.
4. How do I use 'his' or 'her' correctly?
Use his for a male possessor and her for a female possessor. Always place these possessive adjectives before the noun they modify to indicate ownership. Incorrect usage often results in confusing sentence meaning.
5. What is the rule for 'his' and 'her'?
The basic rule is to match the possessive adjective (his/her) to the gender of the possessor. His is for males, her is for females. This applies to people and sometimes to animals of known gender.
6. What are some examples of sentences using 'his' and 'her'?
Here are some examples: * That is his bicycle. * She picked up her bag. * He wore his new shoes. * This is her favorite dress. The examples show how to use his and her correctly before nouns.
7. What if the gender of the possessor is unknown or unclear?
If the gender is unknown, using 'their' is increasingly common and considered acceptable in modern English. Traditionally, 'his or her' was used, but 'their' is more concise and inclusive.
8. What are common mistakes with 'his' and 'her'?
Common mistakes include using his for a female and vice-versa. Another mistake is using them with plural nouns or inanimate objects when it's grammatically incorrect.
9. Can 'his' and 'her' be used for animals?
Yes, his and her can be used for animals when their gender is known. For example: The cat groomed her kittens. The dog buried his bone.
10. What's the difference between his, her, and their?
His shows possession by a single male; her shows possession by a single female; their shows possession by more than one person (male, female, or a mix). They are all possessive adjectives, used before the noun.
11. How to use his or her?
Use his for male possession and her for female possession. Place them directly before the noun showing what is owned. For example: That's his book, and this is her pen.
12. What is the possessive pronoun for 'his' and 'her'?
The possessive pronouns corresponding to 'his' and 'her' are 'his' and 'hers', respectively. 'His' and 'hers' are used when the pronoun stands alone without a noun.
