about him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to introduce something that is related to, or refers to, a particular person or male entity. For example, "John's colleagues had a lot to say about him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I worry about him.

The New Yorker

We're worried about him.

The New Yorker

This isn't about him.

The New York Times

A word about him.

Independent

But not about him.

The New York Times - Books

"It was about him".

The New York Times

"I'm worried about him.

Independent

How about him?

The New York Times - Sports

I worried about him.

The New York Times - Science

"They complain about him.

Independent

Also anecdotes about him.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "about him", ensure the context clearly identifies who "him" refers to, avoiding ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid using "about him" without a clear antecedent for "him". Ensure your audience knows exactly who you're referencing to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about him" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, where "about" serves as the preposition and "him" is the object of the preposition. Ludwig demonstrates its use in various contexts, ranging from expressing concern to indicating the subject of discussion.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Wiki

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "about him" is a versatile and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to reference or discuss a specific male individual. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, its usage is correct and appears frequently across various contexts, particularly in news and media. When employing "about him", clarity in pronoun reference is key to avoid ambiguity. Alternative phrases such as "concerning him" or "regarding him" can offer a more formal tone. Overall, "about him" serves as a common and effective way to direct attention or convey information related to a male subject in a wide range of writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Concerning him

Replaces "about" with "concerning", maintaining the focus on the male subject.

Regarding him

Substitutes "about" with "regarding", indicating a similar focus on the subject.

In relation to him

Uses a more formal structure to indicate a connection or relevance to the male subject.

Referring to him

Focuses on the act of making reference to the male individual.

Relating to him

Highlights the connection or association with the male subject.

With respect to him

Emphasizes consideration or deference toward the individual.

In his regard

Frames the phrase to highlight esteem or consideration.

On the subject of him

More explicitly introduces the male individual as the topic of discussion.

As for him

Introduces the male individual as a new topic of consideration.

Per him

A shortened, more direct way of indicating something is according to his information or wishes.

FAQs

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

You can use "about him" to refer to information, feelings, or discussions concerning a specific male individual. For example, "Everyone was curious about him" or "She had mixed feelings about him".

What's a more formal alternative to "about him"?

For a more formal tone, consider using "regarding him" or "concerning him". These alternatives offer a slightly more elevated style while maintaining the same meaning.

Is it correct to say "about he" instead of "about him"?

No, "about he" is grammatically incorrect. "Him" is the objective form of the pronoun and should be used after prepositions like "about". The correct usage is "about him".

In what situations is it best to avoid using "about him"?

While generally acceptable, avoid using "about him" if the context is unclear or if a more specific and descriptive phrase would provide better clarity. Sometimes, using the person's name or a more descriptive title is more effective.