Was ist he? Verwendung auf Englisch

Okay, let's break down how to use the word "he" correctly in English. It's a pronoun, specifically a masculine singular pronoun, and it refers to a male person. Here's a comprehensive guide:

1. Basic Usage: Referring to a Male Person

• Most Common Use: "He" is used to refer back to a male person that has already been mentioned or is understood.

  • Example: "John is a talented musician. He plays the guitar beautifully." (Here, "He" refers back to "John.")
  • Example: "My brother always helps me with my homework. He is very responsible." (Referring to your brother.)

2. Pronoun Agreement - Crucially Important!

• Must agree in number and gender: “He” only works if you’ve previously introduced the person as male. Don't use "he" to refer to a female. Use "she" instead.

  • Incorrect: "John is a talented musician. She plays the guitar beautifully."
  • Correct: "John is a talented musician. He plays the guitar beautifully." OR "My sister is a talented musician. She plays the guitar beautifully."

3. When the Person's Identity is Known or Assumed

• Established Identity: If you’ve already clearly established that someone is male, you can use "he” without explicitly stating it beforehand.

  • Example: "The doctor told me to rest. He said I needed a week off.” (You know the doctor is male.)
  • Example: "The detective examined the scene. He found a crucial clue.” (It's understood the detective is male).

• Assumed Identity (Use with caution!): Sometimes, you can infer someone's gender, but this can be risky and should be done carefully, especially in formal writing. It's generally best to be specific if possible.

  • Example (Potentially Problematic): "The student excelled in the exam. He worked very hard." (If you’re not sure of the student's gender, this is better to rephrase.)
  • Better Alternative: "The student excelled in the exam. The student worked very hard." OR “The student worked very hard and excelled in the exam.”

4. "He," "Him," and "His" - Related Words

• "He" is the pronoun (referring to a male).
• "Him" is the object pronoun (used when "he" is the object of a verb or preposition).
  • Example: "I gave the book to him."
• "His" is the possessive adjective (shows ownership by a male).
  • Example: "This is his car.”

5. Avoiding Gender Bias

• Use neutral language when possible: If you’re unsure of someone’s gender, or if it’s not important, avoid using pronouns altogether. Rephrase the sentence.

  • Instead of: “He finished the report.”
  • Try: “The worker finished the report.” OR “The person finished the report.”

• Use Singular “They” (Increasingly Accepted): As a non-binary inclusive option, “they/them/their” is becoming increasingly common as a singular, gender-neutral pronoun. (e.g., "If someone needs help, they should contact the volunteer.")

6. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using "he" to refer to a female: This is a very common error. Always double-check your pronoun agreement.
• Overusing "he": Vary your sentence structure to avoid repetitive use of "he."

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Resources for Further Learning:

• Grammarly Blog - Pronoun Agreement: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/pronoun-agreement/
• Merriam-Webster - Pronouns: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pronouns

Do you want me to:

• Give you more examples?
• Explain a specific situation (e.g., using "he" in a formal letter)?
• Talk about the use of “they/them” as a pronoun?