I bit him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I bit him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to communicate that you used your teeth to physically injure someone. For example: "John had been bullying me for weeks, so I finally snapped and bit him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

I bit him again.

The New York Times - Magazine

I was so angry I bit him.

The Guardian - Books

"I had a dream that he bit me and I bit him back".

The New Yorker

"He had his fingers in my mouth, but I don't think I bit him," Burrows said.

The New York Times - Sports

Biting, however — as in, "Mommy, he stole my soccer ball, so I bit him" — generally isn't one of them.

The New York Times - Sports

I didn't think about it, I bit him on the shoulder.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

Jason, however, denies the alleged dick-biting, saying "How could I bite him?

Vice

I once saw a guy be mean to one and it bit him on the face.

The Guardian - Travel

And it bit him.

The New York Times

He blames Jody, the beautiful redheaded vampire who bit him ("I wanted us to be together," she tries to explain) and has given him a whole new set of problems.

The New York Times

As he wound up putting it, "I felt if I met another king I should bite him!" Roosevelt also saw enough to sense dire trouble brewing.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "I bit him" to clearly and directly communicate a biting action. Ensure the context makes it clear whether the biting was literal (physical) or figurative (e.g., in a competitive sense).

Common error

Avoid using "I bit him" in formal writing unless the context specifically calls for it. It is generally more appropriate for narrative or informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I bit him" functions as a declarative statement indicating a completed action. Ludwig AI shows examples primarily used in narrative contexts to describe a past event where the speaker physically bit another person.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Sport

25%

Books

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I bit him" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe a past biting action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usage in various narrative contexts, often implying aggression or defense. While versatile, its suitability varies; it fits well in personal anecdotes and news reports but may seem out of place in formal or professional discourse. Ludwig's analysis reveals its frequent presence in news, sports, and literary sources, marking it as a widely understood yet context-dependent phrase. Alternative phrasing, like "I sank my teeth into him", can amplify the intensity, while "I nipped him" softens the aggression, showcasing the importance of selecting the right phrase for nuanced communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I attacked him with my teeth

Clearly indicates a deliberate and aggressive action using one's teeth.

I sank my teeth into him

Emphasizes the force and aggression of the bite, suggesting a more violent action.

I bit down on him

Emphasizes the downward motion and pressure of the bite.

I took a bite out of him

Focuses on the action of biting as a means of taking something from the person, either literally or metaphorically.

I clamped my teeth on him

Highlights the firm and unyielding nature of the bite.

I chomped on him

Implies a forceful and possibly noisy bite.

I lacerated him with a bite

Focuses on the injury caused by the bite, emphasizing the tearing of the skin.

I nipped him

Suggests a light, playful bite rather than an aggressive attack.

I gnawed at him

Indicates a persistent, irritating action, either literally or metaphorically.

I countered by biting him

Indicates the bite was a reaction to a previous action performed by another person. This alternative provides much more context.

FAQs

What does "I bit him" mean?

The phrase "I bit him" means that the speaker physically used their teeth to bite another person. It implies an act of aggression, defense, or, in some rare contexts, playfulness.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "I bit him"?

The phrase "I bit him" is suitable in informal contexts, personal narratives, or when describing a specific incident. It's less appropriate in formal writing or professional settings unless directly relevant to the topic.

What are some alternative ways to say "I bit him"?

You could use more descriptive alternatives depending on the context, such as "I sank my teeth into him", "I took a bite out of him", or "I nipped him".

Is "I bit him" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I bit him" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard subject-verb-object structure in English.