his going

USAGE SUMMARY

"his going" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is typically used when describing someone's departure or leaving, and "his" indicates that the subject is male. Example: "She was disappointed by his going, as she had been looking forward to spending more time with him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

His going became expedient.

The Guardian - Sport

"There's discussion about his going to Washington.

The New Yorker

His going broke my heart.

The Guardian

"His going back to Muscatine was not my idea.

The New York Times

All signs point to his going out with a bang.

The New York Times

Richard makes his going down, the fast way.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

I suspect most of the trouble was [caused by his] going to live in places like Vietnam.

Independent

The week before his going-away party at Justice, the offer letter from Justice O'Connor arrived.

Harvard University

He said that was his "going-away present" to his successors.

The New York Times

A few days after his going-away party, he reflected on his tenure at the Pentagon.

The New Yorker

He described the pants as his "going-out clothes," a category distinct from business casual.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “"his going"” when you want to emphasize the action of leaving and its impact or consequences, rather than just stating the fact of departure.

Common error

Avoid confusing “"his going"” with similar phrases that might not convey the intended possessive meaning. For example, ensure that the context clearly indicates that “"his"” refers to the person performing the action of "going".

Linguistic Context

The phrase “his going” functions as a noun phrase, specifically a gerund phrase, where 'going' acts as a noun modified by the possessive pronoun 'his'. This construction allows the action of leaving to be treated as a subject or object within a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

62%

Academia

18%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

6%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, “his going” functions as a gerund phrase used to describe someone's departure and its implications. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts. It is particularly prevalent in news and media, as well as academic settings. While alternatives like “his departure” exist, “his going” maintains a versatile, neutral tone suitable for diverse communicative purposes. When using this phrase, focus on emphasizing the action and its impact, avoiding potential misunderstandings by ensuring clarity in the possessive form.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

his departure

A more formal synonym emphasizing the act of leaving.

him leaving

A more direct way to state that he is leaving.

his exit

Similar to departure, but can also refer to a stage or scene.

when he left

Indicates the timing of his leaving.

his moving on

Implies progression to a new phase or location.

him going away

Focuses on the distance created by his leaving.

the fact that he left

A more descriptive way to refer to his departure.

his withdrawal

Suggests a retreat or removal from a situation.

his abandonment

Implies leaving something or someone behind, often with negative connotations.

him taking off

An informal way of saying he left or departed.

FAQs

How can I use “his going” in a sentence?

You can use “his going” to describe the act of someone leaving, often emphasizing the impact or consequences of that departure. For example, “His going surprised everyone” or “The company's share price increased after his going”.

What are some alternatives to “his going”?

Alternatives include "his departure", "him leaving", or "his exit". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is “his going” formal or informal?

“His going” is generally considered neutral in formality and is acceptable in both formal and informal contexts, though more formal options like “his departure” may be preferred in certain settings.

What does “his going” imply?

“His going” implies the act of a male person departing or leaving. It can also suggest the ramifications or aftermath of that departure, focusing on its effect or significance.