His vs. Her — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 16, 2024
"His" and "Her" are possessive pronouns, with "his" used for male possessors and "her" for female possessors.
Difference Between His and Her
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"His" is a possessive pronoun used to indicate that something belongs to or is associated with a male, while "her" is used in the same way but for a female.
In terms of grammar, both "his" and "her" function similarly as modifiers to nouns, but "his" can also act as a possessive adjective and a possessive pronoun, whereas "her" serves as a possessive adjective and requires a following noun.
Usage of "his" does not change whether it's before a noun or on its own, e.g., "his book" or "the book is his." On the other hand, "her" needs to be followed by a noun and cannot stand alone, e.g., "her book" but not "the book is her" (it would be "the book is hers").
The choice between "his" and "her" depends strictly on the gender of the person being referred to, reflecting traditional distinctions in gender in language.
While both serve to assign ownership or association, "his" and "her" are also cultural markers that can influence the perception of gender roles through language usage.
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Comparison Chart
Function
Possessive pronoun/adjective
Possessive adjective
Usage Example
His book is on the table.
Her book is on the table.
Standalone Usage
Can stand alone (e.g., It is his.)
Cannot stand alone (needs "hers" instead)
Gender Association
Male
Female
Grammatical Role
Can replace a noun
Must accompany a noun
Compare with Definitions
His
Signifying that something is of or for a male.
His role in the project was crucial.
Her
Belonging to or associated with a female.
Her car is the red one.
His
Belonging to or associated with a male.
His jacket is in the closet.
Her
Signifying that something is of or for a female.
Her involvement in the community is extensive.
His
Reflecting possession or association with a male.
His opinion on the matter is well respected.
Her
Used to indicate a thing previously mentioned belongs to a female.
She forgot her keys.
His
Used to indicate a thing previously mentioned belongs to a male.
He dropped his wallet.
Her
Indicating a relationship or attachment to a female.
Her dedication to her work is admirable.
His
Indicating a relationship or attachment to a male.
His performance was impressive.
Her
Reflecting possession or association with a female.
Her ideas contributed significantly to the meeting.
His
Used as a modifier before a noun
His boots.
His plans.
Her
Used as a modifier before a noun
Her boots.
Her accomplishments.
His
Belonging to him.
Her
A female
The dog is a her. See Usage Notes at be, I1.
His
Belonging to a person of unspecified gender.
Her
Belonging to her (belonging to that female, or in poetic or old-fashioned language that ship, city, season, etc).
This is her book
His
(obsolete) Its; belonging to it. (Now only when implying personification.)
Her
Belonging to a person of unspecified gender to counterbalance the traditional "his" in this sense.
His
(archaic) Used as a genitive marker in place of ’s after a noun, especially a masculine noun ending in -s, to express the possessive case.
Her
The form of she used after a preposition, as the object of a verb, or (deprecated) with a conjunction; that woman, that ship, etc.
Give it to her
He wrote her a letter
He treated her for a cold
Him and her went for a walk
His
That which belongs to him; the possessive case of he, used without a following noun.
The decision was his to live with.
Her
(informal) A female person or animal.
I think this bird is a him, but it may be a her.
His
Alternative spelling of His
Her
The form of the objective and the possessive case of the personal pronoun she; as, I saw her with her purse out.
His
Belonging or pertaining to him; - used as a pronominal adjective or adjective pronoun; as, tell John his papers are ready; formerly used also for its, but this use is now obsolete.
No comfortable star did lend his light.
Who can impress the forest, bid the treeUnfix his earth-bound root?
Her
Of them; their.
On here bare knees adown they fall.
His
The possessive of he; as, the book is his.
Common Curiosities
What is the function of "his" in a sentence?
"His" can function as both a possessive pronoun and possessive adjective, indicating male possession.
Does the use of "his" or "her" affect the meaning of a sentence?
Yes, it specifies the gender of the owner, which can be crucial for clarity in communication.
What is the historical origin of "his" and "her"?
Both pronouns have roots in Old English, with "his" from "hīs" and "her" from "hire."
How does the choice of "his" or "her" impact language inclusivity?
The choice can either reinforce traditional gender roles or, if misused, can lead to misgendering, impacting inclusivity.
Can "her" be used without a noun?
No, "her" cannot be used without a noun; it requires "hers" when used without a noun.
How do "his" and "her" contribute to grammatical structure?
Both function as possessive adjectives, but "his" can also replace a noun directly.
What are examples of "his" used as a pronoun?
An example is "The decision was his to make."
Is there a difference in formality between "his" and "her"?
No, both are standard English and equally formal.
Are there gender-neutral alternatives to "his" and "her"?
Yes, "their" is often used as a gender-neutral possessive pronoun.
What are common mistakes made with "his" and "her"?
A common mistake is using "her" where "hers" should be used, particularly when the noun is omitted.
Are "his" and "her" interchangeable?
No, they are not interchangeable and are used based on the gender of the person to whom something belongs.
Can "his" and "her" be used for groups or only individuals?
Typically, they are used for individuals, but can be extended metaphorically to groups represented by a gendered leader.
What are examples of "her" used correctly in a sentence?
An example is "Her presentation was well-received."
What is a stylistic consideration when choosing between "his" and "her"?
Stylistically, ensuring the correct gender pronoun is used respects the individual's gender identity and aids in clear communication.
Can "his" and "her" be pluralized?
No, for plural possessive pronouns, "their" is used instead.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
