You are here:
General Writing and Grammar Help/Use of He/Him
Advertisement
Question
I'm writing the following sentence and I'm uncertain of the correct use of he or him:
A draft of unanimous consent is attached appointing you and he/him.
Can you let me know which is correct and explain why? Many thanks
I am glad you asked this so I can get on one of my favorite soapboxes!
~~
=he= and =him= are misused today with shocking regularity.
~~
=he= is always the subject of a sentence (the thing the verb is working on).
=he= is also used in the non-subject part of a sentence ("predicate") when the verb is =to be=
=him= is used with a preposition, such as =for,= =at=, =with=, =from=, and so on ("object of a preposition").
=him= is also used as a "direct object," which is something in the predicate that names what the subject of the sentence is doing.
=he= is never used with a preposition; it is never used as a direct object.
=him= is never used as a subject or in the predicate part of a sentence when the verb is =to be=.
~~
Here is =him= used when it should be =he=:
It is him calling the plays. [=is= is a form of the verb =to be=]
(when answering the phone:) This is him. [same problem]
Him and Sally ate the chocolate. [=him= is never the subject of a sentence]
And the reverse:
I see he over there. [direct object]
I am going with he to buy chocolate. [object of a proposition]
~~
The word to use in your example is =him.= This fellow is being appointed.
mb
Related Articles
Answers by Expert:
Martha Beth Lewis
Expertise
I will answer questions having to do with grammar, plurals, punctuation, capitalization, mood, person, tense, and so on, as well as word usage and word choice. If you want a quick answer to a specific question, particularly if you wish to use formal American English for business or academic purposes (MLA), I can give you a timely response. I also can address word choice, clarity, structure, and similar concerns involving English as a second language. If you want advice of a deeper editorial nature (e.g., substantive [line] editing), please consult an Expert who offers this sort of assistance.
Experience
I was employed as an editor for the graduate school at a major U.S. university and specialized in dissertations. I have over 200 publications in professional journals, consumer magazines, and newspapers. I am the author of five books and numerous syllabi in an arts field. I also am a freelance line editor, copy editor, and proofreader (over 40 years), and I have written or edited countless community organizations' newsletters and promotional materials.
Organizations
Note: When using a word as a word in a sentence, such as:
Put a period after the word dog,
=dog= should be set in italics.
Since I do not have access to italics here, I shall use = on either side of the word or phrase that properly should appear in italics. For the above example:
Put a period after the word =dog=.
Also, ~~please do not mark your questions as private~~. I will change them to public because I don't want to type the same answer twice! Thanks for your understanding.
Publications
If you submit a question to other Experts or the pool, I'd appreciate it if you would not submit it to me, also. It's like asking several people out on a date and choosing among those who said yes! This implies my time and particular expertise are worth nothing to you. Remember: I'm a volunteer!
Education/Credentials
Education
B.A., summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
Ph.D.
Awards and Honors
I ask that you ~~come back to read my answer~~. I've taken time to write the best response I can, so you should come back to read it! It's disheartening to respond to a question, only to see later that the person has not bothered to come back. Remember: I'm a volunteer!
Past/Present Clients
I am happy to help you - that's why I volunteered - but please remember I *am* a volunteer and extend me normal courtesies such as no multiple submissions and not bothering to come back for your answer.
mb
©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.