it was him

USAGE SUMMARY

"it was him" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to indicate that it was a certain person who was responsible for something. For example, "We found out who broke the window - it was him!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

It was him, of course.

The New York Times

"Glad it was him".

The New York Times - Sports

Hallelujah, it was him.

The New York Times

I think it was him.

The New Yorker

It was him or her.

The New Yorker

"If it was him, why?

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

"It's him, Matthew.

The New York Times

"It's him".

The New York Times - Sports

It's him being himself".

The New York Times - Sports

"It's him," he said.

The New Yorker

How could it be him?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was him" to clearly identify a person as responsible for an action or event. This phrasing is direct and easily understood in most contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "it was he" in informal contexts; while grammatically correct, "it was him" is more common in contemporary English. Use "it was he" primarily in formal writing or speech.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was him" primarily functions as a declarative statement identifying a specific male individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable expression, used to pinpoint someone responsible for something or as the person being referenced.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Wiki

10%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was him" is a grammatically sound and commonly employed expression used to identify a male individual, often emphasizing their responsibility or involvement in a particular event. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and appropriateness in various contexts, with its primary usage found in News & Media. While "it was he" is grammatically correct, "it was him" is more prevalent in modern English. Remember to clearly identify the subject and avoid confusion by choosing the correct pronoun. Consider alternatives like "he was the one" or "he is responsible" for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

he was the one

Focuses on identifying the person as the actor or cause.

he is the person responsible

Emphasizes accountability and involvement.

it was his doing

Highlights his action or intervention.

he was the perpetrator

Identifies him as the one who committed an action, usually negative.

he was the culprit

Synonymous with perpetrator, but slightly less formal.

he is the individual in question

More formal way to identify the person being discussed.

the person in question was him

Reverses the sentence structure for emphasis.

he was the actor

Highlights his role or participation in an event.

he is the one to blame

Assigns blame or responsibility for something negative.

it is attributable to him

More formal and indirect way of assigning responsibility.

FAQs

What does "it was him" mean?

The phrase "it was him" is used to identify a male person as being responsible for something or as being the person referred to or sought.

Is it grammatically correct to say "it was him"?

While some may argue about the strict grammatical correctness of "it was him" versus "it was he", the former is widely accepted and commonly used in modern English, especially in informal contexts.

When should I use "it was him" instead of "it was he"?

"It was him" is suitable for everyday conversation and informal writing. "It was he" is more appropriate for formal settings or when adhering to strict grammatical rules.

Are there alternatives to saying "it was him"?

Yes, you can use alternatives like "he was the one", "he is responsible", or "he did it" depending on the context.