he

he
I strong UK [hiː] / US [hɪ] weak UK [ɪ] / US UK [hɪ] pronoun***
Summary:

He is used as the subject of a verb. Some people prefer to use he after the verb "to be" but this sounds very formal and old-fashioned: It is he whom I love. In American English, however, "This is he" is the usual way that a man replies on the telephone when someone asks to speak to him: "May I speak with John?" "This is he."
Words that may cause offence:
He, him, his, and himself are sometimes used for referring to a person of either sex, for example in writing about something that may apply to a man or to a woman. However, many people think that this use suggests that women are not included or that men are more important than women. To avoid causing offence, you can use expressions such as he or she, he/she, she/he, him/her, or him/herself in writing. In conversation, many people say they, them, their, and themselves to refer to a person without mentioning whether the person is male or female.
1) used for referring to a man, boy, or male animal when they have already been mentioned or when it is obvious which one you are referring to

I told William, but he didn't believe me.

Like all dogs, he'll chase a rabbit if he sees one.

2) old-fashioned used in a general way for referring to any person whether they are male or female

Everyone has a right to say what he thinks.

3) He used in written English for referring to God
See:
them

II UK [hiː] / US [hɪ] noun [singular] spoken
a male animal

I like your parrot. Is it a he or a she?


English dictionary. 2014.

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