Her: The Object Form of She

ByKhamis Maiouf
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Quick Answer

Her is the object form of she: I called her. Sit with her. The same spelling also appears before a noun to show possession: her bag. The form used without the noun is hers.

Example: I called her yesterday.

HER (OBJECT) in Action — See the Pattern

  • I called her yesterday. — Her is an object pronoun.
  • Give her the keys. — Her names the person getting them.
  • Sit next to her. — Use the object form after next to.

When to Use HER (OBJECT)

Use she as subject and her as object, usually for one woman or girl: She helped Amir. Amir helped her. Make sure it is clear who the pronoun refers to.

Object her can follow a verb or preposition: call her, help her, to her, with her. Possessive her goes with a noun: I like her coat. In that sentence, her is possessive even though it appears after like. Look for the noun, not just the word before her.

Compare three sentences: I spoke to her uses an object; That is her coat uses her before a noun; That coat is hers uses hers without repeating coat. An object does not always mean a person receiving a physical action.

The Rule in One Line: Her can be an object or a possessive form before a noun. Hers is the possessive pronoun used without that noun.

Real-Life Examples With HER (OBJECT)

Read the sentence and notice the job of the highlighted pronoun.

  • Can you help her with the bags? — Her is the object of help.
  • I gave her a present. — The present was given to her.
  • Tom called her last night. — Tom is the subject; her is the object.
  • Are you talking to her? — After to.
  • I saw her at the supermarket. — Her is the person I saw.

Three Mistakes to Avoid With HER (OBJECT)

Compare each incorrect full sentence (✗) with its correction (✓).

Use her as an object

✗ I called she yesterday.
✓ I called her yesterday.

She is the subject form. Use her after called here.

Use her before a noun

✗ This is hers bag.
✓ This is her bag.

Hers stands without bag: This bag is hers.

Choose the subject form in a statement

✗ Her is waiting outside.
✓ She is waiting outside.

She is the subject of is waiting; her is not the subject form.

Remember: Her can be an object or a possessive form before a noun. Hers is the possessive pronoun used without that noun.

Test Yourself: HER (OBJECT)

Choose an answer to see your feedback immediately. Your first answer counts towards your score.

Question 1 of 5

1. Sara was at the cafe. I saw _______ there yesterday.

2. Sara needs help with the bags. Can you help _______?

3. The card is for Sara. He gave _______ a beautiful card.

4. Sara was on the bus. I sat next to _______.

5. This coat belongs to Sara. This coat is _______.

Practise the pattern

Write three sentences: include with her in the first, her book in the second, and is hers at the end of the third. Check the job of each form.

Next, study it for a singular thing or animal, and for expressions about weather and time. Animals can also be called he or she when appropriate.

Next lesson: Personal Pronoun IT — Subject and Object for Things and Animals

Further reference: British Council: personal pronouns.

Further reference: Cambridge: possessive forms.

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