he fired him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'he fired him' is correct and can be used in written English.
For example, you could say "The boss was incredibly disappointed with his employee's behavior, so he fired him immediately."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

(Actually, he fired him twice).

The New York Times - Books

(Falk said he resigned; Marbury said he fired him).

The New York Times - Sports

Upon learning of his technology officer's action, Mr. Justen says he fired him.

The New York Times

Mr. Pope said he left on his own terms and continued to be paid; Mr. Kushner said he fired him.

The New York Times

He fired him for blaming his poor investment results on everything except himself.

Harvard Business Review

Mr. Comey said he was confused and concerned by Mr. Trump's changing explanation for why he fired him.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

If he fires him, it will be without cause, and that will create a crisis.

The New Yorker

Why didn't he run a background check on his C.T.O.? And why did he fire him without first putting a plan in place to protect the software?

The New York Times

A buyout provision would require Behring to give Knox between $200,000 and $400,000 if he fires him.

Los Angeles Times

On Tuesday, she fired him and he was escorted off campus, which is customary.

The New York Times

But Mr. Robben's department chairwoman had the final say: she fired him last year, he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about someone being fired, consider the context and choose a phrase that matches the tone. "He fired him" is direct and neutral, suitable for news reports. More formal or informal alternatives may be appropriate depending on the audience.

Common error

Avoid using the passive voice ("He was fired by him") when the active voice ("He fired him") is clearer and more direct. Passive voice can sometimes obscure who performed the action.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he fired him" functions as a declarative statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct phrase. It relates an action (firing) performed by one subject upon another.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

96%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he fired him" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe the termination of someone's employment. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It's primarily used in neutral contexts, particularly in news and media reporting. When using this phrase, it's important to consider the tone and context, choosing alternatives such as "he dismissed him" or "he let him go" if a more formal or euphemistic tone is desired. Avoid passive voice constructions to maintain clarity and directness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he dismissed him

Uses a more formal term for firing.

he terminated his employment

A more bureaucratic and formal way of stating the firing.

he let him go

A softer, more euphemistic way of saying he was fired.

he gave him the sack

An informal, idiomatic way to say he was fired.

he ousted him from his position

Emphasizes removal from a position of power.

he removed him from the team

Specifically refers to removing someone from a team or group.

he discharged him

Implies a formal release, often from a duty or obligation.

he relieved him of his duties

A more formal way of saying someone's responsibilities were taken away.

he showed him the door

An idiomatic expression meaning to dismiss someone.

he gave him his marching orders

Implies a forceful and decisive firing.

FAQs

What does "he fired him" mean?

The phrase "he fired him" means that one person (referred to as "he") terminated the employment of another person (referred to as "him"). It's a direct way of saying someone was dismissed from their job.

What can I say instead of "he fired him"?

You can use alternatives like "he dismissed him", "he let him go", or "he terminated his employment" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it grammatically correct to say "he fired him"?

Yes, "he fired him" is grammatically correct. It follows the standard subject-verb-object order in English.

Which is correct, "he fired him" or "he was fired by him"?

"He fired him" is more direct and active. "He was fired by him" is passive and less clear. While grammatically correct, the active voice is generally preferred for its clarity and conciseness. Use "he fired him" unless you need to emphasize the person who was fired.