Her vs. She — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 21, 2024
"Her" is an objective pronoun used to refer to a female subject, while "she" is a subjective pronoun for the same.
Difference Between Her and She
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Her" functions as an object in a sentence, meaning it is used to refer to a female person or animal that is the recipient of an action or the object of a preposition. For example, in the sentence "I gave her the book," "her" is the object receiving the book. In contrast, "she" is used as the subject of a sentence, indicating the female person or animal performing the action. For example, in "She reads the book," "she" is the subject who is doing the reading.
The choice between "her" and "she" depends on the grammatical role the pronoun is playing in the sentence. "Her" cannot be used as the subject of a verb; similarly, "she" cannot be used as the direct or indirect object of a verb or the object of a preposition. For instance, "She went to the store" is correct, while "Her went to the store" is incorrect.
In addition to being an object pronoun, "her" can also function as a possessive determiner (e.g., "her book"), indicating that the following noun belongs to the female person or animal in question. There is no such alternative use for "she"; "she" is strictly used for subjects performing an action.
Using "her" and "she" correctly is essential for clarity in communication. Incorrect usage can lead to confusion about who is performing an action and who is receiving an action in a sentence. For example, "Her is calling" should be "She is calling," to clarify that the female in question is the one doing the calling.
Understanding the difference between "her" and "she" is fundamental to mastering English grammar and ensuring sentences convey the intended meaning accurately and clearly.
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Comparison Chart
Function
Object pronoun; possessive determiner
Subject pronoun
Example Usage
"I saw her at the store."
"She saw me at the store."
Grammatical Role
Direct object, indirect object, possessive determiner
Subject of the verb
Incorrect Use
"Her is my friend." (Incorrect)
"I called she yesterday." (Incorrect)
Additional Use
Can indicate possession (e.g., "her book")
Strictly used as a subject pronoun
Compare with Definitions
Her
Follows a verb or preposition.
The gift is for her.
She
Dictates verb agreement.
She is, not she are.
Her
Does not perform the action.
We saw her in the park.
She
Used as a subject pronoun.
She runs fast.
Her
Used as an object pronoun.
He called her.
She
Performs the action in a sentence.
She completed the project.
Her
Indicates possession.
Her shoes are new.
She
Always refers to a female.
She is my sister.
Her
Can be a possessive determiner.
Her book is on the table.
She
Cannot be used as an object.
I called her, not she.
Her
Used as a modifier before a noun
Her boots.
Her accomplishments.
She
A female animal or person. Sometimes used in combination
Is the cat a she? Is that a she-bear?.
Her
A female
The dog is a her. See Usage Notes at be, I1.
She
(personal) The female (typically) person or animal previously mentioned or implied.
I asked Mary, but she said that she didn't know.
After the cat killed a mouse, she left it on our doorstep.
Her
Belonging to her (belonging to that female, or in poetic or old-fashioned language that ship, city, season, etc).
This is her book
She
A ship or boat.
She could do forty knots in good weather.
She is a beautiful boat, isn’t she?
Her
Belonging to a person of unspecified gender to counterbalance the traditional "his" in this sense.
She
A country, or sometimes a city, province, planet, etc.
She is a poor place, but has beautiful scenery and friendly people.
Her
The form of she used after a preposition, as the object of a verb, or (deprecated) with a conjunction; that woman, that ship, etc.
Give it to her
He wrote her a letter
He treated her for a cold
Him and her went for a walk
She
Any machine or thing, such as a car, a computer, or (poetically) a season.
She only gets thirty miles to the gallon on the highway, but she’s durable.
Her
(informal) A female person or animal.
I think this bird is a him, but it may be a her.
She
A person whose gender is unknown or irrelevant used in a work, along with or in place of he, as an indefinite pronoun.
Her
The form of the objective and the possessive case of the personal pronoun she; as, I saw her with her purse out.
She
(AAVE) her
Her
Of them; their.
On here bare knees adown they fall.
She
A female.
Pat is definitely a she.
She
A woman; a female; - used substantively.
Lady, you are the cruelest she alive.
Common Curiosities
How do I decide whether to use "her" or "she"?
Determine if you need a subject (use "she") or an object (use "her").
Can "her" indicate possession?
Yes, "her" can be a possessive determiner before a noun.
What happens if I use "she" as an object pronoun?
The sentence will be grammatically incorrect.
How does incorrect usage of "her" and "she" affect comprehension?
It can lead to confusion about who is doing what in a sentence.
Are there any exceptions to these rules?
The rules for "her" and "she" are quite strict in standard English grammar.
Is "her" ever correct as a subject pronoun?
No, "her" is not used as a subject pronoun; "she" is correct.
Does "she" have a possessive form?
Yes, the possessive form of "she" is "her" or "hers" depending on the context.
Can "she" be used after a preposition?
No, after a preposition, "her" is the correct choice.
Can "her" and "she" be used interchangeably?
No, because they serve different grammatical functions.
Can "her" start a sentence?
Yes, if it’s a possessive determiner or if the sentence structure requires an object pronoun.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
