he is funny

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is funny" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who has a good sense of humor or makes others laugh. Example: "Whenever he tells a joke, everyone bursts into laughter because he is funny."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

He is fat, he is funny.

Independent

He is funny, sometimes screamingly so.

The Guardian - Books

Particularly as he is funny, energetic and very rude.

Independent

He is funny in a troubled-nut way.

The New Yorker

As Baddiel said, he is funny to the bone.

Independent

He is funny, self-deprecating and wary of reporters.

The New York Times - Sports

'That would be an affectation.' He is funny.

The Guardian

But he is funny and imaginative and wonderful.

The Guardian - Tech

Lindsey Graham's problem may be that he is funny.

The Guardian

He is funny and engaging — almost impossible not to like.

The New York Times

"He is funny, nice and fun to be with, but there is an underside.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is funny" when you want to directly state someone's ability to make others laugh or their possession of a humorous quality.

Common error

In formal writing, avoid overusing the phrase "he is funny". Consider alternatives like "he possesses a sharp wit" or "he demonstrates a keen sense of humor" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is funny" serves as a subject complement, attributing a quality (funniness) to the subject (he). It functions as a descriptive adjective phrase that follows a linking verb (is). As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "he is funny" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to describe someone who is amusing or has a good sense of humor. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability. While very versatile, it's important to consider context: in more formal settings, alternatives like "he possesses a sharp wit" may be more suitable. As seen in the numerous examples provided by Ludwig, this phrase frequently appears in news and media to describe individuals, demonstrating its prevalent usage across various domains.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he is hilarious

Uses a stronger adjective to indicate a higher degree of funniness.

he's amusing

Uses a different adjective to convey the same meaning of causing laughter.

he has a sense of humor

Focuses on possessing a characteristic rather than directly stating a quality.

he is comical

Uses a more formal adjective to describe someone who is funny.

he makes me laugh

Shifts the focus to the effect the person has on the speaker.

he's a riot

Employs a more informal and emphatic expression for someone very funny.

he's a card

Uses an idiomatic expression to describe someone who is funny and eccentric.

he's witty

Suggests a specific type of humor that is clever and intellectual.

he's a comedian

Indicates that someone is professionally funny, not just casually amusing.

he is jocular

Employs a less common, more formal adjective to indicate a cheerful and humorous nature.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "he is funny"?

You can use alternatives like "he is hilarious", "he has a sense of humor", or "he is amusing" depending on the context.

How to use "he is funny" in a sentence?

Use "he is funny" to describe someone who evokes laughter or possesses a comical quality. For example: "Even though he tells the same jokes, he is funny every time."

Is it appropriate to use "he is funny" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "he is funny" might be too informal for academic or professional contexts. Consider more sophisticated alternatives like "he possesses a sharp wit" or "he demonstrates a keen sense of humor".

What's the difference between "he is funny" and "he is hilarious"?

"He is funny" is a general statement about someone's humor, while ""he is hilarious"" indicates a higher degree of amusement or comedic talent. Hilarious suggests that someone is extremely funny.