Definition of He
Quick Meaning of He
A word you use to talk about a man, boy, or male animal when you've already mentioned his name.
Detailed Definition of He
A third person singular masculine pronoun referring to a male person or animal
How to Pronounce He
Stress pattern: O (1-syllable word).
Tip: At word start, 'h' is always pronounced /h/. In unstressed positions, sometimes sounds like /i/ or reduced to schwa.
Watch out: Confused with 'huh' /hʌ/ or sounds like 'he' from other languages with different vowel sounds.
Origin and Etymology of He
From Old English 'hē', originally a masculine demonstrative pronoun.
How to Use He in a Sentence
Each example shows “he” with a CEFR level so learners can pick examples that match their fluency.
-
“My brother is a teacher. He works at a school near here.”
-
“John called yesterday. He wanted to invite you to his party.”
-
“The dog loves playing fetch. He runs very fast.”
Synonyms and Antonyms of He
Common Synonyms for He
Smart Synonyms for He — When to Use Each
- him
- when used as the object of a verb
- his
- for possession or relationship belonging to the male
Antonyms of He
Common Collocations with He
These phrases pair with “he” in everyday English:
- he said
- he went
- he is
- he was
- he can
Common Mistakes When Using He
Even fluent speakers slip up with “he”. Here’s how to avoid the most common errors:
- ✗ Wrong: My father left his keys. He took he to the park.
- ✓ Correct: My father left his keys. He took him to the park.
- Why: Use 'him' (object form) after a verb. 'He' is for the subject position only.
- ✗ Wrong: John and him went to the store.
- ✓ Correct: John and he went to the store.
- Why: Use 'he' in subject position with compound subjects. 'Him' is only for objects or after prepositions.
Words Confused With He
- He vs He's: 'he' is the pronoun; 'he's' is 'he is' (pronoun + verb contraction)
Frequently Asked Questions About He
What is the meaning of "He"?
A word you use to talk about a man, boy, or male animal when you've already mentioned his name.
How do you pronounce "He"?
The IPA is /hiː/. At word start, 'h' is always pronounced /h/. In unstressed positions, sometimes sounds like /i/ or reduced to schwa.
What part of speech is "He"?
"He" is an interjection at A1 level (Common European Framework).
What are synonyms for "He"?
Common synonyms include him (object form), his (possessive), that man.
How do you use "He" in a sentence?
For example: "My brother is a teacher. He works at a school near here."