that of his

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'that of his' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
The phrase is used to refer to a preceding noun or pronoun in a sentence. For example: "John's success was due to his hard work, something that of his parents could not have achieved."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Mr Daley's machine was different from that of his father.

The Economist

His approach is more informal than that of his predecessors.

The Economist

Frank Cioffi's background differed from that of his Oxford contemporaries.

Independent

He compared its architecture to that of his public school.

The New Yorker

Special laws protect his property and that of his family.

The Economist

Ben's childhood was different from that of his siblings.

The New York Times

How did it compare with that of his parents?

The New York Times

His own, as well as that of his company.

The New Yorker

Like that of his predecessors, his gamble paid off.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

His comedy – and that of his peers – betrays this, and more.

Independent

He smelled the stink of the explosives mixed with that of his own burned flesh.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "that of his", ensure clear reference to the noun it replaces to avoid ambiguity. For example, instead of 'His performance mirrored that of his teammates', specify 'His performance mirrored the dedication of his teammates'.

Common error

Avoid using "that of his" when referring to plural nouns. Use "those of his" instead to maintain grammatical correctness. For example, instead of 'His achievements surpassed that of his rivals', say 'His achievements surpassed those of his rivals'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that of his" functions as a determiner and pronoun, used to avoid repeating a noun while indicating possession or comparison. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase helps to form concise comparisons across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Wiki

19%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

7%

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that of his" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase employed for comparison or indicating possession related to a male individual. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a versatile tool for concise and clear communication. While it appears most often in news and media contexts, it also finds a place in wiki entries and scientific writing. Remember to use "that of his" for singular nouns and "those of his" for plural nouns to ensure grammatical accuracy. When aiming for brevity and clarity, "that of his" proves to be a valuable asset in your writing toolkit.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

his own

Replaces the comparative structure with a simple possessive, emphasizing direct ownership.

specific to him

Emphasizes exclusivity or a strong connection only to him.

belonging to him

Uses a more explicit and descriptive way to indicate possession.

in his possession

Emphasizes the state of being owned or controlled by him.

his property

Focuses specifically on physical or intangible assets he owns.

his particular

Stresses the uniqueness or individuality of something associated with him.

related to him

Indicates a connection or association, broadening the scope beyond direct possession.

characteristic of him

Shifts the focus to attributes or qualities inherent to him.

attributed to him

Highlights the source or origin being linked back to him.

traceable to him

Highlights that the origin is connected and can be assigned to him.

FAQs

How can I use "that of his" in a sentence?

Use "that of his" to compare something belonging to him with something else. For example, "His approach is more informal than "that of his predecessors"".

What are some alternatives to "that of his"?

Alternatives include "his own", "belonging to him", or rephrasing the sentence for clarity. For example, instead of "His life matched that of his clients", you could say "His life matched his clients' in luxury".

Is "that of him" grammatically correct?

No, "that of him" is not grammatically correct. The correct form is "that of his" when referring to something belonging to a male individual. "That of him" sounds unnatural and deviates from standard English usage.

When should I use "that of his" versus "those of his"?

Use "that of his" for singular nouns, and "those of his" for plural nouns. For example, "His car is newer than that of his brother" versus "His cars are newer than those of his brothers".