# his

/ˈhɪz/ (US) · /hˈɪz/ (UK) · CEFR A1 · Pronoun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/his
Updated: 2026-05-31

## Definition

belonging to a man or boy who has already been mentioned. You use it to show that something is owned by him.

For teachers: the third-person singular masculine possessive pronoun or determiner. Used to indicate possession or association with a male subject previously identified.

## Examples

- He left his keys on the table.
- The doctor asked the patient to describe his symptoms in detail during the physical examination.
- While the architect designed the exterior of the building, his primary focus remained on the structural integrity of the foundation rather than the aesthetic finish.

## Pitfalls

- Not "The book is he's." but "The book is his." — Learners often confuse the possessive 'his' with the contraction 'he's' (he is/he has).

## Usage notes

- Functions as both a possessive determiner (before a noun) and a possessive pronoun (standing alone).

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.