I found him

USAGE SUMMARY

"I found him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that you have located a person or object previously mentioned. For example, "I was looking for my keys but couldn't find them. Then, I noticed my brother had them in his pocket--I found him!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I found him intense".

Independent

Later, I found him compliant.

The New Yorker

Ultimately, I found him convincing.

The New York Times

I found him by accident.

The New York Times

"I found him not.

The Guardian

Then I found him.

The New York Times - Magazine

"I found him".

The New York Times - Style

I found him pedestrian.

The New Yorker

I found him crying.

The Guardian

Finally I found him.

The Guardian

I found him straightening up the terrace.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I found him" to clearly indicate that you located a specific person you were looking for or encountered unexpectedly.

Common error

Ensure the context makes it clear who "him" refers to, avoiding ambiguity about the person being located. Use the person's name instead of 'him' if possible.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I found him" serves as a declarative statement indicating the successful location of a previously sought or lost person. It expresses a completed action of finding someone, as supported by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Formal & Business

2%

Science

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0.5%

Reference

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "I found him" is a grammatically sound and very common phrase used to indicate the successful location of a person. As Ludwig AI highlights, its primary function is to declare the finding, with a neutral register applicable across varied contexts, most frequently in news and media. While simple, clarity is key, and context should eliminate any ambiguity about who "him" refers to. Consider synonyms like "I located him" or "I came across him" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I located him

Replaces "found" with a more formal synonym, "located", emphasizing the act of finding someone.

I discovered him

Shifts the focus to the act of discovering something new about the person, rather than just finding their location.

He was found by me

Uses a passive voice, changing the sentence structure but retaining the core meaning.

I came across him

Indicates a chance encounter, suggesting the meeting was unplanned.

I encountered him

Similar to "came across", but slightly more formal, suggesting a meeting or confrontation.

I tracked him down

Implies a more deliberate and persistent search to find the person.

I spotted him

Suggests a quick and perhaps unexpected recognition of the person.

I identified him

Focuses on recognizing or confirming the person's identity after a search.

I detected him

Suggests a more subtle or investigative way of finding someone.

I unearthed him

Implies discovering something hidden or long lost about the person.

FAQs

What does "I found him" mean?

It means that you located a specific person, either after searching for them or by chance encounter.

How can I use "I found him" in a sentence?

For example, you could say, "I lost my friend at the concert, but after searching for an hour, "I found him" near the stage."

What can I say instead of "I found him"?

You can use alternatives like "I located him", "I discovered him", or "I came across him depending on the context".

Is "I find him" grammatically correct?

While "I find him" is grammatically correct, it has a different meaning. It suggests you have a particular opinion or feeling about him, rather than that you located him. For example, "I find him to be a kind person".