Have you ever wondered whether This Is She or This Is Her is the correct expression? This question confuses many English learners because both phrases are heard in everyday conversations. The answer depends on English grammar, sentence structure, formal English, and the context in which you are speaking. While This Is She follows traditional grammar rules, This Is Her has become more common in modern, casual speech. Understanding the difference can help you communicate more naturally and confidently.
In this guide, you’ll learn the meaning of This Is She or This Is Her, when to use each expression, and why native speakers often choose one over the other. We’ll explain the grammar behind subject pronouns, object pronouns, linking verbs, predicate nominatives, and pronoun usage in simple language. You’ll also discover practical examples, common mistakes, and helpful tips for choosing the right phrase in phone conversations, business settings, emails, and everyday English.
Whether you’re studying English grammar rules, preparing for exams, improving your spoken English, or simply trying to sound more fluent, this article will make the topic easy to understand. By the end, you’ll know exactly when to say This Is She and when This Is Her is perfectly acceptable in real-life communication.
What is the correct answer: This is she or This is her?
If you want the traditional grammar answer, “This is she” is the one that follows the old schoolbook rule. Merriam-Webster explains that after a linking verb, the pronoun may function as a predicate nominative, which is why the phrase can take subject-case “she” rather than object-case “her.” Their usage note also shows the contrast clearly: “This is she” treats the pronoun as a complement that identifies the speaker, while “This is her” treats the pronoun more like an object in a regular transitive pattern.
That said, English is not a museum exhibit. In real conversation, many speakers avoid sounding stiff by using a simpler response like “This is [Name] speaking” or just “Speaking.” Those replies skip the pronoun puzzle altogether and still answer the call clearly. So while “This is she” is the traditional grammatical form, the best practical answer often depends on how formal you want to sound.
Why people say “This is she”
The phrase “This is she” comes straight from older grammar teaching. In that framework, the verb is acts as a linking verb, not an action verb. A linking verb connects the subject to a word that renames or describes it. Scribbr explains that linking verbs connect the subject to a subject complement, which can be a noun, pronoun, or adjective. Cambridge also notes that subject pronouns normally act as the subject of a clause and appear before the verb. Put those ideas together, and “she” fits naturally after is in a sentence that identifies the speaker.
That is why grammar teachers often use examples such as “It is I” and “This is she.” The logic is the same in both cases. The pronoun after the linking verb is not receiving an action. It is renaming the subject. Merriam-Webster’s explanation makes this point directly and shows that the construction belongs to the predicate nominative pattern.
Here is the simple picture:
- This = subject
- is = linking verb
- she = subject complement that identifies the subject
That structure is why many style guides and teachers still prefer “This is she” in formal grammar. It may sound old-fashioned to some ears, but it remains structurally sound.
Why people say “This is her”
Now for the version that makes a lot of speakers wince less: “This is her.” The reason people use it is simple. It feels natural in everyday speech. English speakers spend most of their time talking casually, not diagramming sentences. So the form that sounds smoother often wins in conversation, even when strict classroom grammar would choose something else. The object pronoun her normally appears after verbs or prepositions, and that is exactly why traditional grammar does not love it in this spot. Still, people reach for it because phone conversations are fast, informal, and practical.
Merriam-Webster’s usage note is useful here because it shows the grammatical tension plainly. On one side, the traditional analysis supports “This is she.” On the other, the alternative treatment lets the pronoun behave more like an object, which is why “This is her” appears in real speech. That does not mean the phrase is the best choice in formal grammar. It means English allows more flexibility in actual conversation than a rule chart might suggest.
Think of it like this: if you are writing a polished email, you follow the cleanest grammar path. If you are answering a ringing phone, you often choose the path that is quickest and most natural. That difference explains why “This is her” survives even though teachers may mark it as nonstandard in a strict lesson.
This is she vs. This is her: the grammar behind the confusion
The heart of the problem is pronoun case. English pronouns change form depending on their job.
Subject pronouns
These usually do the action or stand before the verb.
- I
- you
- he
- she
- we
- they
Cambridge explains that subject pronouns act as the subject of a clause and usually appear before the verb.
Object pronouns
These usually receive the action or follow a verb or preposition.
- me
- you
- him
- her
- us
- them
Cambridge and Scribbr both note that object pronouns normally appear after verbs or prepositions.
Now look at the phone answer again:
- This is she
- This is her
The verb is does not act like a normal action verb here. It links the subject to a complement. That is why the traditional grammar pattern prefers she. Merriam-Webster’s explanation of predicate nominatives is the key reason the phrase exists in the first place.
Which one is more natural today?
That depends on the setting.
In a formal grammar classroom, “This is she” is the expected answer. In a casual conversation, many speakers prefer something that sounds less stiff, such as “This is [Name] speaking” or simply “Speaking.” Those options avoid the subject-versus-object problem altogether. They also sound direct, friendly, and professional.
A useful way to think about it is this: correctness and naturalness are not always the same thing. A sentence can be grammatically traditional and still sound formal or dated in modern speech. Another sentence can sound smooth in conversation without matching the strictest school rule. That is exactly what happens with “This is she” and “This is her.”
The best answer in different situations
Here is the practical part. Use the option that fits the moment.
| Situation | Best response | Why it works |
| Formal business call | This is she | Matches traditional grammar and sounds polished. |
| Casual personal call | This is her | Sounds natural in everyday conversation. |
| Safer all-purpose option | This is [Name] speaking | Clear, simple, and avoids the pronoun issue. |
| Very short answer | Speaking | Efficient and common in phone etiquette. |
| Office or customer-service call | Yes, this is [Name] | Friendly and easy to understand. |
The table above gives you a clean rule: use the traditional form when formality matters, and use a plain identification response when clarity matters most. The grammar issue disappears the moment you say your name.
Better alternatives to both phrases
If you do not want to think about grammar while the phone is ringing, there are easier options. These are the most practical ones:
- This is [Name] speaking
- Speaking
- Yes, this is [Name]
- [Name] here
- You’re speaking with [Name]
These responses work because they are clear and natural. They do not force you to choose between a subject pronoun and an object pronoun. They also sound less scripted than “This is she,” which can feel formal in ordinary conversation.
A simple example:
Caller: “May I speak with Maria?”
Maria: “This is Maria speaking.”
That answer does everything you need. It confirms identity, sounds professional, and avoids any grammar debate.
Real-life phone call examples
Formal office call
Caller: “Is Dr. Singh available?”
Dr. Singh: “This is she.”
Why it works: It keeps the response formal and grammatically traditional. The phrase follows the linking-verb pattern described by Merriam-Webster and Cambridge.
Friendly call from a friend
Caller: “Can I talk to Ayesha?”
Ayesha: “This is her.”
Why it works: It sounds relaxed and natural in casual speech, even if a strict grammar teacher might prefer the subject-case form in formal instruction.
Work call where clarity matters
Caller: “Is this Mr. Khan?”
Mr. Khan: “Yes, this is Khan speaking.”
Why it works: It is clear, polite, and easy to process. There is no pronoun confusion at all.
Customer service or reception call
Caller: “May I speak to Sara?”
Sara: “Sara speaking.”
Why it works: It is short, clean, and professional. In many contexts, fewer words make a better impression than a technically perfect but awkward phrase.
Case studies: what different speakers should do
Case study: the job applicant
A job applicant answers an unknown number during an interview week. The caller asks for the applicant by name. In this setting, “This is she” works if the applicant wants a formal tone. “This is [Name] speaking” works even better if the goal is calm professionalism. The second option avoids sounding overly stiff while still keeping the exchange polished.
Case study: the teacher
A teacher receives a call from the school office. The office asks for the teacher by name. A simple “This is Mr./Ms. [Name]” or “This is [Name] speaking” usually sounds best. It is direct, easy to hear, and appropriate for a professional setting. The phone call does not need a grammar puzzle on top of everything else.
Case study: the family member
A sibling calls and asks for another family member. In that situation, “This is her” or “This is him” may sound completely normal in everyday speech, because the conversation is casual and the speaker is not trying to sound formal. Even so, a name-based response still remains the simplest choice if the speaker wants to avoid the grammar question entirely.
Common mistakes to avoid
The biggest mistake is treating this question like a moral issue. It is not. Choosing “This is she” does not make you better than someone who says “This is her.” It only means you are following the traditional school grammar pattern more closely.
Another mistake is assuming that every formal rule sounds natural in speech. Spoken English often bends toward ease, speed, and rhythm. That is why many people prefer shorter, smoother phone answers instead of a textbook-like sentence. English speakers do this all the time. The phone is one of the places where that tendency shows up most clearly.
A third mistake is overthinking the pronoun when a simpler answer would solve the problem. If your name is enough to identify you, use it. Language works best when it does its job without tripping over itself.
Style guide takeaways
Here is the cleanest way to remember the rule:
- Traditional grammar: This is she
- Natural conversation: This is her
- Best all-around answer: This is [Name] speaking
Merriam-Webster’s usage note supports the traditional form after a linking verb, while Cambridge and Scribbr explain why subject and object pronouns behave differently in the first place. Once you see those two pieces together, the whole issue becomes much easier to manage.
This is she or this is her? A quick comparison
| Feature | This is she | This is her |
| Traditional grammar | Yes | No, in the strict school rule sense |
| Subject pronoun used | Yes | No |
| Object pronoun used | No | Yes |
| Sounds formal | Yes | Less formal |
| Sounds natural in casual speech | Sometimes stiff | Often smoother |
| Best for business | Good | Usually better to use a name instead |
The table shows the real trade-off. Traditional grammar and conversational ease do not always point in the same direction. That is normal. English does this often, especially when a sentence is short and spoken out loud.
Final answer you can trust
If someone calls and asks for you, the strict grammar answer is “This is she.” That form matches the traditional rule for pronouns after a linking verb. If you want to sound more natural, especially in casual conversation, “This is her” is the form many speakers choose. If you want the simplest and safest option, skip the pronoun debate and say “This is [Name] speaking.”
Conclusion
Choosing between This Is She and This Is Her depends on the situation and the style of English you want to use. Traditional English grammar and grammar rules treat This Is She as the formal and technically correct choice because it follows the rule for a subject pronoun after a linking verb.
However, This Is Her has become the preferred form in everyday conversation and is widely accepted in modern speech. Understanding the grammar behind both expressions helps you use each one with confidence instead of relying on guesswork. In formal writing or academic settings, This Is She is usually the better option, while This Is Her sounds natural in casual conversations.
FAQs
Is This Is She grammatically correct?
Yes. This Is She is grammatically correct because the verb to be is a linking verb, which traditionally takes a subject pronoun rather than an object pronoun.
Is This Is Her wrong?
No. This Is Her is not considered wrong in everyday English. It is the form most native speakers naturally use in conversations, even though it is less formal.
Why do people say This Is Her more often?
Most people prefer This Is Her because modern spoken English has become more relaxed. It sounds natural in everyday conversations and is widely accepted in informal settings.
Which is better in formal writing: This Is She or This Is Her?
In formal writing and traditional grammar, This Is She is generally the preferred choice because it follows standard grammatical rules.
Should English learners use This Is She or This Is Her?
English learners should understand both forms. Use This Is She in formal or academic situations, and use This Is Her when speaking casually with friends, family, or colleagues.
