Part of Speech

Pronoun

Pronunciation

/hɪz/

Definitions

• Pronoun: A possessive pronoun used to indicate ownership or association by a male subject. For example, "That is his book."
• Pronoun: Refers to something belonging to or associated with a male person previously mentioned or easily identified. "His car is parked outside."

Usage Examples

• The teacher asked if anyone had completed his homework.
• James lost his keys yesterday.
• His opinion matters in this decision-making process.

Etymology

The word "his" comes from Old English "his," which was the genitive form of the pronoun "he." It is used to indicate possession or association and has been in use since before the 12th century. The word is part of the broader group of possessive pronouns in English that have evolved from Proto-Germanic roots.

Synonyms

• His own
• Belonging to him

Antonyms

• Hers
• Theirs
• My
• Your

Translations

Regional Pronunciation Variations

The pronunciation of "his" is generally uniform across English-speaking regions, with slight differences in accents. In some dialects, such as African American Vernacular English (AAVE), "his" may be pronounced more phonetically as /hɪz/ instead of the standard /hɪz/.

Historical Usage

Historically, the possessive form of "he" (his) has been used in English since Old English times. In Old English, the word "his" was used to indicate possession and continued to evolve into its modern form. Early on, possessive pronouns were used more flexibly and often had different forms based on grammatical case. Over time, the word "his" became standardized as the possessive form for masculine subjects.

Cultural Nuances

The use of "his" as a gender-specific possessive pronoun has become increasingly scrutinized in modern discussions of gender and language. In some contexts, the use of gender-neutral alternatives, such as "their," has become preferred in an effort to be more inclusive of non-binary and genderqueer individuals. This shift reflects broader societal changes and the evolving understanding of gender identity and expression.

More Information

In English grammar, "his" is an essential possessive pronoun used to show ownership, association, or relationship to a male subject. It is one of the most common possessive pronouns in English, along with "her" (feminine), "its" (neutral), and "their" (plural or gender-neutral). While "his" specifically refers to male ownership, modern language trends encourage more inclusive terms, especially in cases where the gender of the subject is unknown or irrelevant. Understanding these shifts is important for adapting to evolving language norms and ensuring inclusivity in communication.