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Her generally refers to female people or animals. In this lesson, we will cover its grammatical functions.
Functions of 'Her'
1. 'Her' as a Possessive Determiner
Use
Her as a possessive determiner is used to show the belongings or associations of a female person or animal. For example:
It was her confidence that caught the interviewer's attention.
I have a cat. Her kitten is so cute.
Position in a Sentence
Her as a possessive determiner is used before nouns or noun phrases. For example:
It was her confidence that caught the interviewer's attention.
'Confidence' is a noun.
2. 'Her' as an Object Pronoun
Her as an object pronoun can be the direct object, the indirect object, the object of prepositions.
2.1 'Her' as a Direct Object
Use
Her as a direct object receives the action of the verb. For example:
I couldn't help her.
'Her' is the recipient of 'to help.'
That will be her.
'Her' is the direct object.
Position in a Sentence
Her as a direct object comes after the verb. For example:
I love her.
'Her' is a direct object used after the verb.
2.2 'Her' as an Indirect Object
Use
Her as an indirect object receives the action of the direct object. For example:
I gave her the permission to play outside for two hours.
'The permission to...' is a direct object and 'her' is an indirect object.
He cooked her some porridge.
'Her' is an indirect object.
Position in a Sentence
Her as an indirect object comes before the direct object. For example:
He cooked her some porridge.
'Her' as an indirect object comes before the direct object 'some porridge.'
2.3 'Her' as an Object of Prepositions
Use
Her can be the object of prepositions introduced by a preposition. For example:
I'm waiting for her.
She is taller than her.
'Than' is a preposition.
I am as beautiful as her.
Position in a Sentence
Her as an object of preposition comes after the preposition. For example:
I am as beautiful as her.
'Her' comes after 'as.'
Tip
Any articles like 'a', 'an' and, 'the' or other determiners cannot be used before her. For example:
She is taller than her. ✔ She is taller than the her.
Other Uses of 'Her'
Her as both the possessive determiner or the object pronoun has some other uses that are not commonly used these days.
1. 'Her' in Dialects
In North American language, people use her instead of 'herself.' For example:
She cooked her some porridge.
This sentence could be 'she cooked herself some porridge.'
2. 'Her' in Mythical Texts
Her is used to refer to a deity or a goddess. For example:
Athena is known as the goddess of wisdom. Her father is Zeus.
Gaia is a Greek personification of the Earth; her most famous son was Kronos.
3. 'Her' as a Generic Pronoun
Sometimes her is used to refer to people without saying their gender. For example:
A good teacher does her duties very well.
A nurse's most important duty is to take care of her patients.
4. 'Her' as the Antecedent of Indefinite Pronouns
Her can be the object of some indefinite pronouns like 'whoever, anybody, etc.' For example:
Whoever wants to be successful, must give her all.
Anyone who is interested can take her chances.
5. 'Her' in Personified Things
Her used to refer to a country, a nation, a car, a machine, a ship, or a boat. For example:
My country is my pride and I love her.
This is my ship; I won't let them take her.
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