his being

USAGE SUMMARY

"his being" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to refer to someone's existence or their state or condition. For example, "His being so ill left me worried."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

What's wrong with his being different?

The New York Times

His message is his being there.

The New Yorker

Caution had been ingrained in his being.

The New York Times

("His" being Ashton Kutcher's).

The New York Times

Mentions his being a guest of Lucullus Circle.

The New Yorker

Prior to his being shot.

The Washington Post

It's hardwired into his being.

The New York Times

Shouldn't you count on his being arrested?

The New York Times

That could lead to his being discharged.

The New York Times

I didn't mind his being there.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

His being in Pa.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Employ "his being" to transition smoothly into an explanation or justification, replacing wordier constructions like "because he is". For example, "His being late caused the meeting to be rescheduled."

Common error

Avoid using "his being" when a simpler possessive pronoun + noun construction would suffice and sound more natural. For instance, prefer "His presence was noted" over "His being there was noted" in simpler contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "his being" functions primarily as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun within a sentence. It commonly appears as the subject or part of a prepositional phrase, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples. The expression encapsulates a state or condition attributed to the subject.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

16%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "his being" functions as a gerund phrase, commonly used to express a reason or condition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, noting its presence across diverse domains like news, science, and business. While versatile, remember to use it judiciously, ensuring it provides clarity and avoids unnecessary wordiness. Pay attention to potential errors and consider simpler alternatives where appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

him existing

Replaces the gerund phrase with a simple noun and gerund form.

the fact that he is

Rephrases using "the fact that" to emphasize the reality of his state.

him being present

Adds specificity by highlighting his presence in a particular situation.

the state of his existence

Formal rephrasing emphasizing the condition of his life.

his very presence

Focuses on the impact of his presence alone.

the condition of him being

Uses "condition" to denote the situation he's in.

him in actuality

Emphasizes the reality of his current state.

his state of affairs

Replaces "being" with a broader term for his overall situation.

his current situation

Highlights his circumstances at a specific time.

his living state

Focuses on the fact that he is alive and in a certain condition.

FAQs

How can I use "his being" in a sentence?

You can use "his being" to describe a reason or condition, such as "His being late caused a problem" or "His being ill meant he couldn't attend the meeting."

What are some alternatives to "his being"?

Alternatives include phrases like "the fact that he is", "him existing", or simply using a possessive adjective and noun construction where appropriate.

Is it always appropriate to use "his being"?

While grammatically correct, "his being" can sometimes sound stilted or overly formal. Consider whether a simpler construction might be more effective. Read the "Misunderstanding the Grammatical Role" section for more info.

What is the grammatical function of "his being" in a sentence?

The phrase "his being" typically functions as a gerund phrase, acting as a noun. It can serve as the subject or object of a sentence or clause. For example, in the sentence "His being honest is his best quality", the phrase acts as the subject.