Personal Pronoun HE — How to Talk About a Man or Boy
Quick Answer
He is a subject pronoun, usually for one man or boy: He works here. He is tired. Use it when it is clear who you mean.
Example: Tom is my neighbour. He lives nearby.
HE in Action — See the Pattern
- Tom is my neighbour. He lives nearby. — He refers to Tom.
- He drinks tea every morning. — He is the subject of drinks.
- Is he your brother? — He remains the subject in a question.
When to Use HE
Use he as the subject and him as an object: He called me. I called him. A subject is not always doing an action. In He is tired, the sentence describes his state.
In positive present-simple statements, most verbs with he take -s or -es: he works, he watches. Some forms need special attention: he is, he has. After does, does not or a modal such as can, use the base form: Does he work here? He does not work today. He can work tomorrow.
Use a name first if the reference would be unclear. The pronoun should match the person you mean. This lesson practises he with the men and boys in the examples.
The Rule in One Line: Compare he works, does he work and I know him. The sentence structure determines both the pronoun and the verb form.
Real-Life Examples With HE
Read the sentence and notice the job of the highlighted pronoun.
- He works in a bank. — A positive present-simple statement.
- He is my best friend. — He goes with is.
- Every morning he goes for a run. — The form is goes.
- He doesn’t like spicy food. — Use like after doesn’t.
- Does he have two children? — Use have after does.
Three Mistakes to Avoid With HE
Compare each incorrect full sentence (✗) with its correction (✓).
Choose the subject form
✗ Him works in a hospital.
✓ He works in a hospital.
Him is an object form, as in I know him.
Distinguish he from his
✗ His lives in London.
✓ He lives in London.
His can show possession. He refers to the person as the subject here.
Use the correct present-simple form
✗ He work in a hospital.
✓ He works in a hospital.
Add -s in this positive statement, but use work after does or can.
Remember: Compare he works, does he work and I know him. The sentence structure determines both the pronoun and the verb form.
Test Yourself: HE
Choose an answer to see your feedback immediately. Your first answer counts towards your score.
1. Tom is a teacher. _______ works in a school.
2. I am talking about my brother. _______ is here.
3. Tom likes coffee. Every day _______ drinks coffee.
4. Tom has two cats. Replace Tom with a personal pronoun: _______ has two cats.
5. Does he _______ here?
Practise the pattern
Write a statement with he, a question with does he, and a sentence with him. Name the person first so the meaning is clear.
The next lesson practises him after verbs and prepositions.
Next lesson: Him: The Object Form of He
Further reference: British Council: personal pronouns.
Further reference: British Council: present simple.
I’m Khamis Maiouf. I’m studying Health and Social Care and have completed Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Level 3 Hairdressing. I have taught ESOL in my community and helped students with GCSE English. I run English Teacher Site to help people learn and practise English.