Have you ever introduced someone on the phone and suddenly wondered, “Is it this is she or this is her?” It is a small grammar question, but the answer depends on context, formality, and how modern English is actually used.
Both “this is she” and “this is her” can be heard in English. Traditionally, grammar rules have favored “this is she” in certain formal constructions, while everyday English commonly uses “this is her.” Understanding why can help you choose the expression that sounds natural without sacrificing grammatical accuracy.
This Is She or This Is Her: Which Is Correct?
The answer isn’t quite as simple as labeling one phrase correct and the other incorrect.
“This is she” follows a traditional grammatical analysis in which she functions as a subject complement after the linking verb is. It is especially associated with formal or traditional English.
“This is her” uses the objective pronoun her. Although traditional grammar may have discouraged this construction, it is extremely common in modern conversational English.
Compare these examples:
| Expression | Usage | Example |
| This is she. | Formal or traditional | “May I speak to Sarah?” “This is she.” |
| This is her. | Conversational and modern | “Who is that?” “This is her.” |
So, if you’re asking this is she vs this is her, the best choice depends on the situation.
Why “This Is She” Is Traditionally Considered Correct
To understand the traditional preference for “this is she,” it helps to look at the grammar behind linking verbs.
The verb is is a form of the verb to be. It generally connects the subject with information that identifies or describes it.
For example:
She is the manager.
In traditional grammatical analysis, she and the manager refer to the same person. Similarly:
This is she.
Here, this identifies the person as she. Because she is treated as a subject complement rather than a direct object, traditional grammar recommends the subjective pronoun she rather than her.
Other examples include:
- It is I.
- This is he.
- That was she.
- The person responsible was he.
These constructions are grammatically traditional, but they can sound formal or even old-fashioned in ordinary conversation.
Why “This Is Her” Is So Common
Modern English does not always follow the pronoun patterns preferred by traditional grammar.
In everyday speech, people naturally say:
This is her.
The construction is especially common when identifying someone in a photograph, introducing a person, or speaking informally.
For example:
“Who is the woman in the picture?”
“This is her.”
You may also hear:
“Is this Emily?”
“Yes, this is her.”
For most speakers, these sentences sound completely natural.
Language changes over time, and everyday usage has increasingly favored object pronouns in certain constructions after be. That is why “this is her” is widely accepted in contemporary informal English.
This Is She vs This Is Her in Phone Conversations
One of the most interesting cases is answering the telephone.
Suppose someone calls and asks:
“May I speak to Anna?”
Anna could traditionally respond:
“This is she.”
This is grammatically formal and follows the traditional subject-complement rule.
However, many modern speakers would simply say:
“This is her.”
Neither response is likely to cause confusion. The main difference is tone.
“This is she” can sound:
- Formal
- Polished
- Traditional
- Slightly old-fashioned
“This is her” tends to sound:
- Natural
- Conversational
- Relaxed
- Contemporary
If you’re speaking casually, “This is her” is unlikely to sound strange.
When Should You Use “This Is She”?
There are situations where “this is she” is still a useful choice.
You might choose it when:
- You want to sound formal.
- You’re writing dialogue that intentionally reflects traditional English.
- You’re following a traditional grammar style guide.
- You’re answering a telephone call in a professional setting and prefer a formal tone.
For example:
“May I speak with Dr. Carter?”
“This is she.”
This sounds polished and professional.
However, there is no need to use “this is she” simply because you believe “this is her” is automatically grammatically wrong. Modern usage is more flexible than that.
When Should You Use “This Is Her”?
“This is her” is particularly natural in informal conversation.
For example:
“Who is that in the photo?”
“This is her.”
It can also work naturally when you’re identifying someone:
“Which person is your sister?”
“This is her.”
In these situations, forcing the traditional “this is she” construction can actually sound less natural to many English speakers.
The important point is to consider the context and intended tone, rather than treating grammar as a collection of rules completely separate from real usage.
Is “This Is She” More Grammatically Correct?
Under traditional prescriptive grammar, “this is she” is generally preferred.
The reasoning is that is functions as a linking verb, and the pronoun following it should traditionally be in the subjective case.
However, modern English usage does not always preserve this distinction after linking verbs.
Consider:
It was me.
This is now extremely common in everyday English, even though traditional grammar once preferred:
It was I.
The same shift helps explain why “this is her” sounds perfectly normal to many speakers.
So, if someone asks “is it this is she or this is her?”, the most useful answer is:
“This is she” is the traditional formal construction, while “this is her” is common and natural in modern everyday English.
This Is She or This Is Her in Formal Writing
When writing formally, your choice depends on the style you’re aiming for.
If you want to follow traditional grammatical conventions, use “this is she.”
For example:
“Who is speaking?”
“This is she.”
However, if you’re writing dialogue intended to sound natural and contemporary, “this is her” may better reflect how people actually speak.
In formal writing, you can also avoid the issue altogether by restructuring the sentence.
For example:
Instead of:
This is she.
You could write:
This is Sarah.
Or:
Sarah is speaking.
This removes the pronoun question entirely.
Common Examples: This Is She vs This Is Her
Here are a few examples showing how the two forms work.
Example 1: Telephone
Traditional:
“May I speak with Maria?”
“This is she.”
Conversational:
“May I speak with Maria?”
“This is her.”
Both communicate the same basic idea.
Example 2: Photograph
“Who is the person standing next to John?”
“This is her.”
Here, “this is her” sounds very natural in everyday speech.
Example 3: Formal dialogue
“May I speak with the director?”
“This is she.”
The traditional form can create a more formal tone.
Example 4: Casual conversation
“Which one is your sister?”
“This is her.”
Again, the objective pronoun feels natural in ordinary conversation.
Why Pronouns Cause This Confusion
English pronouns change form depending on their grammatical role.
For example:
| Subject | Object |
| I | me |
| he | him |
| she | her |
| we | us |
| they | them |
Traditional grammar generally favors the subject form after a linking verb:
It is I.
But modern English overwhelmingly favors the object form in many everyday expressions:
It is me.
That’s why the question isn’t simply about memorizing whether she or her follows is. Usage, context, and register all matter.
A Simple Way to Remember the Difference
If you want a quick rule, think about tone.
Choose “This is she” when:
- You want a traditional or formal tone.
- You’re following prescriptive grammar.
- You’re writing particularly formal dialogue.
Choose “This is her” when:
- You’re speaking naturally and informally.
- You’re identifying someone in a photo or group.
- You want contemporary conversational English.
If you’re unsure in a professional situation, “This is she” is a safe traditional choice, but it may sound more formal than necessary.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When deciding between this is she or this is her, avoid assuming that one expression works identically in every context.
Mistake 1: Calling “This Is Her” Incorrect in Every Situation
Modern English commonly uses “this is her,” particularly in conversation.
Mistake 2: Using “This Is She” Everywhere
Although traditionally grammatical, “this is she” can sound unusually formal in casual conversation.
Mistake 3: Ignoring Context
The same phrase can sound appropriate in a formal telephone conversation but awkward in casual dialogue.
Mistake 4: Focusing Only on Rules
Grammar describes language, but real English is also shaped by common usage, register, and social context.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it “this is she” or “this is her”?
Both expressions are used, but they have different grammatical traditions and tones. “This is she” is the traditional formal construction, while “this is her” is common in modern conversational English.
Is “this is she” grammatically correct?
Yes. “This is she” is traditionally considered grammatically correct because she is treated as a subject complement following the linking verb is.
Is “this is her” grammatically correct?
“This is her” is widely used in contemporary English, especially in informal conversation. Although traditional grammar may prefer “this is she” in some contexts, modern usage frequently favors “her.”
Should I say “this is she” when answering the phone?
You can. “This is she” has a formal, traditional tone. In everyday conversation, “This is her” is also commonly heard and understood.
Which is more formal: “this is she” or “this is her”?
“This is she” is generally more formal and traditional. “This is her” sounds more conversational and natural to many modern English speakers.
Is “this is she” old-fashioned?
It can sound somewhat formal or old-fashioned, especially in casual conversation. However, it remains a recognized construction and can still be appropriate in formal contexts.
Why do people say “this is her”?
Modern English often uses object pronouns in constructions where traditional grammar would recommend subject pronouns. This is why expressions such as “it’s me” and “this is her” are common.
Can I avoid choosing between “this is she” and “this is her”?
Yes. You can often make the sentence clearer by using the person’s name:
“This is Sarah.”
Or:
“Sarah is speaking.”
This is especially useful in formal writing.
Conclusion: This Is She or This Is Her?
So, is it this is she or this is her? The answer depends on what kind of English you want to use.
“This is she” is the traditional and more formal construction, based on the idea that a subjective pronoun should follow the linking verb is. “This is her” is common in modern conversational English and will sound more natural to many speakers in everyday situations.
If you’re writing formally and want to follow traditional grammar, “this is she” is a solid choice. If you’re having a normal conversation, “this is her” is widely understood and natural.
The bigger lesson is that English grammar isn’t always as rigid as a simple right-or-wrong rule suggests. When choosing between this is she vs this is her, consider both grammatical tradition and the way people actually use the language.
