No, you cannot use "his" for girls.
Understanding Possessive Pronouns
Possessive pronouns indicate ownership. They show who or what something belongs to. It's important to use the correct pronoun to ensure clarity and proper grammar.
His vs. Her
As stated in the provided reference:
- His is a possessive pronoun that refers to something owned by a male.
- Her is a possessive pronoun that refers to something owned by a female.
| Pronoun | Refers To | Example |
|---|---|---|
| His | Something male owns | That is his car. |
| Her | Something female owns | That is her book. |
Using "his" for a girl would be grammatically incorrect because it implies that the thing belongs to a male. Instead, you would use "her" when talking about something a girl owns.
Why Correct Pronouns Matter
Using the wrong pronoun can lead to confusion. It can also show a lack of awareness of gendered language conventions. Choosing correct pronouns is part of using language accurately.
Examples
-
Incorrect: "Look at his dress." (when the dress belongs to a girl)
-
Correct: "Look at her dress." (when the dress belongs to a girl)
-
Incorrect: "That is his doll." (when the doll belongs to a girl)
-
Correct: "That is her doll." (when the doll belongs to a girl)
Key Takeaway
Always use "her" when referring to something owned by a female and "his" when referring to something owned by a male.
