to him

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "to him" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to an action or statement directed towards a male individual. Example: "I need to explain the situation to him before making any decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Credit to him".  .

BBC

Pray to Him, daily.

WikiHow

To him?

The New York Times - Magazine

Price motioned to him.

The New Yorker

"You talked to him".

The New Yorker

It's easy to him".

The New York Times - Magazine

To him, maybe.

The New York Times

All new to him.

The New York Times - Sports

Hats off to him.

The New York Times

What happened to him?

The New York Times

That's important to him.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "to him", ensure the context clearly indicates the male individual being referred to. Avoid ambiguity by providing sufficient context or using the person's name.

Common error

Avoid using "to him" when a reflexive pronoun (himself) is more appropriate. For example, instead of "He gave the book to him", use "He gave the book to himself" if he is giving the book to himself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "to him" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase, indicating direction or recipient of an action or statement. As Ludwig shows, it specifies the male individual towards whom something is directed. For example, "I spoke to him" indicates he was the receiver of the speech.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

30%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "to him" is a common and grammatically sound prepositional phrase used to indicate the recipient or direction of an action towards a male individual. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and prevalence across various contexts, notably in news, wikis and science. When writing, remember to check context, ensuring you are not confusing with "himself" for reflexive actions. Consider alternatives like "for him" when the intention is to indicate benefit rather than direction. Keep in mind the register or formality should be neutral but context sensitive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

for him

Expresses benefit or purpose, instead of direction.

towards him

Indicates direction or approach in a more literal, spatial sense.

directed at him

Emphasizes the intentionality of the action or communication.

in his direction

Similar to "towards him", but can also imply a less direct or specific action.

for his benefit

Specifically highlights that something is being done to help or advantage the male individual.

on his behalf

Indicates acting as a representative or advocate for the male individual.

with regard to him

Introduces a topic concerning the male individual.

concerning him

A more concise alternative to "with regard to him", focusing on the subject matter.

regarding him

Another concise alternative to "with regard to him", similar to 'concerning him'.

in relation to him

Highlights the connection or association with the male individual.

FAQs

How do I use "to him" in a sentence?

Use "to him" when you want to indicate that something is being given, said, or done towards a specific male individual. For example, "I gave the book to him."

What can I say instead of "to him"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "for him", "towards him", or "directed at him".

Is it ever incorrect to use "to him"?

Yes, it can be incorrect if the context requires a reflexive pronoun like "himself". Ensure that the action is directed towards someone other than the subject performing the action. If the action is directed back to the subject, use "himself".

What's the difference between "to him" and "for him"?

"To him" indicates direction or conveyance, while "for him" indicates benefit or purpose. "I sent a letter to him" means I directed the letter to his location. "I baked a cake for him" means the cake was made to benefit him.