his was

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "his was" is not correct or usable in written English.
You could use a phrase like "his was the..." or "his was a..." to make it grammatically correct. Example: His was the answer to all of my questions.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

His was flat, idealized.

The New York Times

His was a mind.

The New Yorker

His was up there.

The New York Times

His was "Hawk".

The New York Times

His was emotional work.

University of California, Berkeley

His was a "circumstantial stance".

The New York Times

His was a ferocious honesty.

The New York Times

His was an outstanding performance.

The New York Times - Sports

His was all about monsters!

Yale University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

pcDNA3.1-LacZ/V5-His was from Invitrogen.

Human Molecular Genetics

Expression vector pQE9-His was purchased from Addgene (Cambridge, MA).

Biochemistry

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure that the phrase "his was" is followed by a completing phrase or clause to provide context and meaning. For instance, "his was the deciding vote" is more complete than simply "his was."

Common error

Avoid using "his was" without specifying what 'was' refers to. This can lead to ambiguity and make your writing unclear. Always provide the necessary context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "his was" functions primarily as a possessive pronoun followed by a form of the verb 'to be'. It often acts as a substitute for a noun phrase, indicating possession or association. Ludwig examples show it used in various comparative statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Academia

21%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "his was" is used to indicate possession or association, often in comparison or contrast. Ludwig AI marks it as grammatically "incorrect" needing a completion to be fully correct. While frequently used, especially in News & Media, the phrase benefits from added context to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity. To ensure your writing is clear and effective, always specify what 'was' refers to when using "his was".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that belonged to him

Emphasizes ownership or belonging.

in his possession

Highlights the state of ownership.

something he owned

Reiterates the concept of ownership more broadly.

the one he had

Highlights a specific item or quality he had.

his particular item

Focuses on a specific item that he possesses.

what he possessed

Focuses on the items or qualities he owned.

the thing he controlled

Emphasizes control and possession.

a quality of his

Similar to 'his characteristic' but slightly more general.

the attribute he had

Highlights a specific attribute.

his characteristic

Emphasizes a trait unique to him.

FAQs

How can I properly use "his was" in a sentence?

To use "his was" correctly, ensure it's followed by a phrase that clarifies what you're referring to. For example, "His was a bold move" or "His was the only dissenting vote" are both clear.

What phrases are similar to "his was"?

Alternatives include phrases like "that belonged to him", "what he possessed", or "something he owned", depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "his was" by itself?

While frequently used, "his was" often requires additional context to be grammatically complete. Without it, the meaning may be unclear or ambiguous.

Can you provide examples of how "his was" is used in different contexts?

The phrase "his was" can be used in various scenarios, such as describing someone's contribution, opinion, or possession. Examples include "His was a decisive action" or "His was the only car in the lot".