is it him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is it him" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when asking for confirmation about someone's identity, particularly in informal contexts. Example: "I thought I saw someone familiar; is it him?" Alternative expressions include "is it he" and "is that him."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

And it may well save couples from the angst and anguish of, "Is it me or is it him, is it her, is it – is it?" You know, "Because of the treatment, is it something I've had for a while but we haven't discussed, 'what's the problem?' (Jason, age 35, partner, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, HP).

BMC Cancer

But is it him?

The Guardian

Four others had the other two winners, including new entrant Thomo (is it him?), while another 13 of you had at least one winner yesterday.

The Guardian - Sport

Or is it him screaming "No," in a sexually explicit celebration of Women's Day?

Huffington Post

Every time you look at a new text on your phone, is it him?

WikiHow

Is it him, is it her, is it the kid, is it money, time, is it their jobs, is it their parents?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Was it him?

The New York Times - Arts

Or was it him?

The Guardian

Was it him after power too?

The Guardian - Sport

Was it him or was it her playing?

The New Yorker

Or is it not him?

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the level of formality required; "is it he" is a more formal alternative, though less commonly used.

Common error

Avoid using "is it he?" in informal contexts where "is it him?" is more appropriate. While grammatically correct, 'he' sounds overly formal and can be jarring in casual conversation. "Is it him?" is generally acceptable in most modern contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is it him" functions as an interrogative phrase, used to question or confirm the identity of a male individual. It is a direct way to ask if the person in question is who the speaker suspects or believes them to be, as illustrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is it him" serves as a direct and commonly used interrogative to confirm a male individual's identity. As indicated by Ludwig, it maintains grammatical correctness and exhibits a neutral to informal register, making it versatile across various contexts, especially in news and media. While sources like The New York Times and The Guardian frequently employ this phrase, it's important to ensure that the referent for 'him' is clear to avoid ambiguity. As Ludwig AI highlights, this phrase is a straightforward way to seek clarity in identifying someone, balancing both informality and broad understandability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Could that be him?

Emphasizes possibility and speculation about someone's identity.

Is that really him?

Adds emphasis on the authenticity of the person's identity.

Can it be him?

Expresses surprise or disbelief at the possibility of someone's presence.

Could it actually be him?

Adds emphasis and surprise to the question.

Might it be him?

Suggests a weaker possibility compared to "is it him".

Is he the one?

Refers to a specific person previously mentioned or known.

Is he truly the one?

Similar to 'is he the one', emphasizes on the truthfulness of his role.

Is he the person we're looking for?

Inquires about if the identified person is the person being sought.

Do you think that's him?

Adds another person's opinion in the interrogative.

Is he the individual in question?

More formal and precise way of asking about someone's identity.

FAQs

How do I use "is it him" in a sentence?

Use "is it him" to inquire about someone's identity when you are unsure, as in, "I saw someone who looked familiar; "is it him"?"

What are some alternatives to "is it him"?

Alternatives include "is that really him?", "could that be him?", or "can it be him?", depending on the context and the degree of certainty you want to express.

Is it ever appropriate to say "is it he" instead of "is it him"?

While grammatically correct, "is it he" is very formal and rarely used in contemporary English. "Is it him?" is generally preferred in most situations.

What's the difference between "is it him" and "is that him"?

"Is it him?" is a general inquiry about someone's identity. "Is that him?" usually refers to a specific person you are pointing to or have just seen.