the sight of him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'the sight of him' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use this phrase in a sentence to refer to something that someone saw, usually to describe how it made them feel or react. For example, "The sight of him walking away made her heart sink."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Sick of the sight of him?

Independent

The sight of him made me anxious.

The New Yorker

My heart sank at the sight of him.

The New York Times

I felt sick at the sight of him reading.

The New Yorker

But Mom is distracted by the sight of him anyway.

The New Yorker

Davey and Donny are gobsmacked at the sight of him.

The New Yorker

Students in Harvard Yard jeered at the sight of him.

The New York Times

But the sight of him was so funny.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Derbyshire must be the sick of the sight of him.

The Guardian - Sport

Greenwood was drunk & ugly, & the sight of him distressed the writer.

The New Yorker

She turned ashen at the sight of him, but she steadied herself.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the sight of him" to vividly describe an emotional reaction triggered by someone's appearance. For instance, 'The sight of him brought tears to her eyes' effectively conveys a strong emotional impact.

Common error

Avoid using "the sight of him" when you intend to describe a different sensory experience, such as hearing his voice or feeling his touch. This phrase is specifically visual.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the sight of him" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence or clause. It refers to the visual perception of a specific male individual and often carries emotional weight, as demonstrated by Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the sight of him" is a versatile phrase used to express the emotional impact of seeing someone. It functions as a noun phrase and is commonly found in news and media contexts. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. While its tone is generally neutral, the specific emotion conveyed depends heavily on the context. When using this phrase, ensure it accurately reflects a visual stimulus and the resulting emotional response. Consider alternatives like "the vision of him" or "his appearance" to fine-tune your meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the vision of him

Focuses on the visual aspect, suggesting a more idealized or dreamlike perception.

the image of him

Implies a mental picture or memory, potentially less immediate than the direct experience.

the spectacle of him

Highlights the dramatic or striking nature of the appearance.

the picture of him

Similar to 'image', suggesting a static or framed representation.

his appearance

A more neutral and general term for how someone looks.

seeing him

A simpler way to express the act of perceiving someone visually.

the look of him

Focuses on the specific expression or aspect of his face or demeanor.

his presence

Emphasizes the general feeling or impact of his being there, not solely visual.

being in his presence

Highlights the experience of being near him, encompassing more than just sight.

encountering him

Focuses on the act of meeting or coming across him, rather than just seeing him.

FAQs

How can I use "the sight of him" in a sentence?

You can use "the sight of him" to describe a strong emotional reaction to seeing someone, such as "The sight of him after all those years was overwhelming."

What are some alternatives to "the sight of him"?

Alternatives include "the vision of him", "the image of him", or "his appearance", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "the sight of him" formal or informal?

"The sight of him" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.

What emotions are typically associated with "the sight of him"?

The emotions associated with "the sight of him" can vary greatly depending on the context, ranging from joy and relief to sadness and fear.