very him

USAGE SUMMARY

'very him' is not correct and usable in written English.
You can use the phrase 'very much so' to indicate agreement or affirmation. For example: Are you enjoying your new job? Yes, very much so.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

He thinks it's very him.

The New York Times

That's very him – he's a sweet, generous, fascinating man.

Independent

Was it also very him, she was asked.

The New Yorker

Days later, I found very him sick, so I took him to the hospital and, of course, I paid the bill and the medicines for the treatment; you just can't say no, you don't want to say no! Check out -40/96° and Mikel Aristregi's other photo-documentaries on his website.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I feel very near him.

The New Yorker

I was very near him.

The Guardian

That's very much him".

The New York Times

Very like him.

Huffington Post

Be VERY reverential to Him, when praying.

WikiHow

He follows him very closely.

The New York Times

How very good of him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "very him" in formal writing. Instead, opt for grammatically correct alternatives like "typical of him" or "very much like him".

Common error

A common mistake is using "very" directly before a pronoun. Remember that "very" typically modifies adjectives or adverbs, not pronouns. Instead of "very him", use constructions that correctly employ adjectives or adverbs to describe someone's characteristics.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very him" is an attempt to describe something as being characteristic of a particular person. However, it doesn't follow standard English grammar rules. Ludwig AI identifies this as incorrect.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "very him" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI points out, it violates typical English grammar rules. While some examples exist, particularly in news and informal contexts, it's advisable to use more standard alternatives like "typical of him", "characteristic of him", or "very much like him" for clear and grammatically correct communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

very much like him

Adds clarity by specifying the degree of similarity, implying a strong resemblance in character or behavior.

typical of him

Highlights that the action or characteristic is representative of the person's usual behavior.

characteristic of him

Focuses on the action being a defining trait or quality of the person.

very similar to him

Indicates a high degree of likeness, often used to compare traits or attributes.

just like him

Emphasizes the similarity, suggesting that the action or trait is completely consistent with the person's character.

in character for him

Highlights that the action aligns with the person's established persona or habits.

very close to him

Expresses a feeling of nearness or connection with the person.

suited him well

Indicates that something (an item, an action) was appropriate or flattering for the person.

quite fitting for him

Suggests that the item or circumstance was especially appropriate or suitable for the person.

very becoming of him

Implies that the item or action enhances the person's appearance or character, making them look good.

FAQs

How can I describe something that is typical of someone?

Instead of using the ungrammatical "very him", consider using phrases like "typical of him", "characteristic of him", or "just like him".

What is a grammatically correct alternative to "very him"?

Since "very" usually modifies adjectives or adverbs, try "very much like him" if you mean someone resembles another person, or rephrase the sentence to describe the person's traits directly.

Is "very him" ever considered correct in English?

No, "very him" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It doesn't follow the typical rules for how adverbs and pronouns are used together.

How can I use "very" correctly to describe a person's actions or characteristics?

Use "very" to modify an adjective that describes the person. For example, you could say "He is "very kind"", "She is "very intelligent"", or "That was "very generous" of him".