Learn “This Is She” Or “This Is Her”? Here’s How to Answer The Phone with simple English grammar tips to choose the right pronoun during calls. When the phone rings and a friend asks for you, many English learners feel confused about which phrase to use. Both “This Is She” and “This Is Her” may sound correct in an everyday conversation, but knowing the grammar rules, pronoun usage, and grammatical function helps you choose the right phrase with confidence.
Many people stumble over this common mistake during a phone call because they focus only on how the words sound. The correct way depends on the role each word must serve in the sentence structure. In English grammar, she works as a nominative pronoun and subject pronoun, while her works as an objective pronoun and object pronoun. The linking verb “is” connects equal grammatical units, creating a subject-linking verb-subject pattern. Therefore, the traditional grammatical rule supports “This Is She” because she matches the implied subject “I” when identifying yourself.
Quick Answer: This Is She or This Is Her?
If you’re looking for the short answer, here’s what you need to know.
| Situation | Best Choice |
| Traditional grammar | This is she |
| Everyday conversation | This is her |
| Business phone calls | Either works depending on the level of formality |
| Friends and family | This is her |
| Academic grammar discussions | This is she |
Quick takeaway: If you want to follow traditional grammar rules, say “This is she.” If you want to sound like most native English speakers in everyday conversations, “This is her” is perfectly natural and widely accepted.
Why People Get Confused About “This Is She” and “This Is Her”
This topic confuses many people because it sits at the intersection of grammar and real-world language use.
Grammar books often teach one rule, while everyday conversations follow another. That difference creates uncertainty.
Here’s the basic issue:
- She is a subject pronoun.
- Her is an object pronoun.
Normally, subject pronouns appear before verbs.
- She called yesterday.
- He answered the phone.
Object pronouns usually receive an action.
- I called her.
- Please tell him.
However, the verb to be works differently from action verbs. Instead of showing action, it links two things together. That single difference is why the debate exists.
The Grammar Behind “This Is She”
Linking Verbs Use Subject Complements
Traditional English grammar teaches that verbs like is, am, are, was, and were are linking verbs.
A linking verb doesn’t perform an action. Instead, it connects the subject with another word that identifies or describes it.
Consider this sentence:
This is she.
Here:
- This is the subject.
- Is is the linking verb.
- She identifies the subject.
Because the word after a linking verb refers back to the subject, traditional grammar says it should be a subject pronoun, not an object pronoun.
That is why grammar textbooks traditionally recommend:
- This is she.
- It is I.
- This is he.
Although these sentences follow classic grammar rules, they often sound formal to modern ears.
Similar Examples
The same rule appears in other examples.
| Traditional Grammar | Everyday Speech |
| It is I. | It’s me. |
| This is she. | This is her. |
| This is he. | This is him. |
These pairs show how spoken English has evolved while traditional grammar has remained largely unchanged.
Grammar insight: A linking verb connects the subject to another word that renames or describes it. Traditional grammar prefers subject pronouns after linking verbs.
Why “This Is Her” Sounds More Natural Today
Language isn’t frozen in time. It changes as people use it.
Modern English follows a more descriptive approach, meaning linguists pay attention to how people actually speak rather than insisting on older grammatical patterns.
Most native speakers naturally say:
- This is her.
- It’s me.
- This is him.
These expressions have become standard in everyday conversation.
In fact, hearing “This is she” can sound unusually formal or even old-fashioned outside certain professional settings.
That doesn’t make it wrong. It simply reflects an earlier grammatical tradition.
Think about another example.
If someone asks:
“Who’s there?”
Most people answer:
It’s me.
Almost nobody replies:
It is I.
The same pattern explains why “This is her” has become the more common response on the phone.
Which One Should You Use?
The best answer depends on your audience and the situation.
In Professional Settings
Some workplaces encourage formal language.
Examples include:
- law offices
- medical practices
- government agencies
- executive offices
- high-end customer service
In these environments, “This is she” may project a polished and traditional tone.
Example:
Caller: May I speak with Jennifer Smith?
Jennifer: This is she.
The response is grammatically traditional and professional.
In Everyday Conversations
When talking with family, friends, neighbors, or coworkers, “This is her” sounds completely natural.
Example:
Caller: Is Sarah there?
Sarah: This is her.
Few people would think twice about that response.
In Customer Service
Customer service focuses on clarity rather than grammar debates.
Common responses include:
- Speaking.
- This is Amanda.
- You’ve reached Amanda.
- Yes, this is she.
- This is her.
Any of these answers clearly identify the speaker.
In Academic Writing
If you’re taking a grammar exam or writing about traditional English grammar, “This is she” remains the preferred example because it illustrates the rule about linking verbs.
Read More: Autumn vs. Fall: Unraveling the Seasonal Language Mystery
Examples of “This Is She” and “This Is Her” in Real Conversations
Seeing each phrase in context makes the difference easier to understand.
Formal Business Call
Receptionist: May I speak with Ms. Roberts?
Ms. Roberts: This is she.
Casual Phone Call
Friend: Is Emma home?
Emma: This is her!
Customer Support
Representative: May I speak with Daniel?
Daniel: Speaking.
Family Call
Mom: Can I talk to Olivia?
Olivia: Hi Mom, this is me.
Professional Interview
Recruiter: Is this Mr. Johnson?
Johnson: Yes, this is he.
Although correct, many speakers would simply say:
“Yes, speaking.”
This Is She vs. This Is Her: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | This Is She | This Is Her |
| Traditional grammar | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Common in everyday speech | Rare | Very common |
| Sounds formal | Yes | Usually no |
| Natural conversation | Sometimes | Yes |
| Business calls | Appropriate | Appropriate |
| Casual conversations | Less common | Best choice |
| Taught in grammar books | Yes | Usually discussed as modern usage |
The table shows that grammar and everyday language don’t always match perfectly.
Alternative Ways to Answer the Phone
Sometimes the easiest solution is to avoid the debate entirely.
Here are several responses that work well.
Speaking
This is probably the most universal answer.
Example:
Caller: May I speak with David?
David: Speaking.
It’s brief, professional, and completely natural.
This Is My Name
Example:
This is Emily.
This response avoids pronoun questions altogether.
It’s common in business settings.
Yes, Speaking
Another professional option.
Example:
Caller: May I speak with Brian?
Brian: Yes, speaking.
Short, polite, and clear.
Hi, This Is My Name
Perfect for business calls.
Example:
Hi, this is Rachel.
Friendly without sounding overly formal.
You’ve Reached My Name
Excellent for office phones.
Example:
You’ve reached Michael.
This response immediately confirms the caller has the correct person.
Hello
Sometimes the simplest answer is enough.
If the caller already recognizes your voice, no additional explanation may be necessary.
Regional Differences in Usage
English varies across countries, but the trend remains similar.
American English
American speakers overwhelmingly prefer “This is her” or simply “Speaking.”
“This is she” still appears in formal settings and grammar discussions.
British English
British English also leans toward natural conversational forms.
Many speakers simply introduce themselves by name instead of choosing between pronouns.
Canadian English
Canadian English generally follows North American conversational patterns.
“This is her” is common, while “This is she” sounds more formal.
Australian English
Australian speakers often favor relaxed expressions.
Responses like:
- Speaking.
- Yep, speaking.
- This is Sarah.
are more common than highly formal alternatives.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even fluent English speakers occasionally make mistakes when answering the phone.
Assuming “This Is Her” Is Wrong
Many grammar enthusiasts still believe only “This is she” is correct.
Modern English doesn’t support that claim.
“This is her” is widely accepted in everyday conversation.
Correcting Other People Unnecessarily
Language changes.
Correcting someone who says “This is her” usually creates unnecessary embarrassment without improving communication.
Using Overly Formal Language Everywhere
Imagine answering your best friend’s call with:
“This is she.”
It isn’t wrong, but it may sound unusually formal.
Match your language to the situation.
Forgetting Clarity
Your goal is communication.
If the caller understands you immediately, you’ve succeeded.
Grammar matters, but clarity matters more.
A Real-World Case Study
Imagine two receptionists working in different organizations.
Receptionist A
She works at a law firm.
Caller:
“May I speak with Ms. Carter?”
Response:
“This is she.”
The response matches the firm’s formal communication style.
Receptionist B
She works at a creative marketing agency.
Caller:
“Is Megan available?”
Response:
“This is her.”
The reply feels friendly, approachable, and perfectly natural.
Neither receptionist made a mistake. They simply matched their communication style to their workplace.
Expert Perspective on Modern Usage
Many modern style guides and linguists recognize the difference between prescriptive grammar (how language is traditionally taught) and descriptive grammar (how people actually speak).
As linguist Steven Pinker has observed:
“Language evolves because people use it.”
That idea explains why “This is her” has become the preferred choice in everyday English even though traditional grammar still supports “This is she.”
Quick Tips for Answering the Phone Naturally
- Use “This is she” if you want to follow traditional grammar.
- Use “This is her” in everyday conversations.
- Say “Speaking” for a professional and neutral response.
- Introduce yourself by name if you want to avoid the grammar debate.
- Match your tone to the situation.
- Focus on clarity rather than memorizing outdated rules.
FAQs
1. Is “This Is She” grammatically correct?
Yes, “This Is She” is considered the more grammatically correct phrase in formal English because she is a subject pronoun that follows the linking verb “is” and matches the implied subject.
2. Is “This Is Her” wrong in English?
No, “This Is Her” is not always considered wrong. It is commonly used in modern English and daily conversation because many English speakers prefer natural expressions over strict traditional grammar.
3. Which phrase should I use when answering the phone?
If you want a formal and grammatically correct response, use “This Is She.” In casual phone conversations, many people use “This Is Her” because it sounds more natural.
4. Why do people get confused between “This Is She” and “This Is Her”?
People often get confused because both phrases can sound correct while speaking. The difference comes from understanding pronoun usage, subject position, and object position in a sentence structure.
5. What type of pronoun is “she”?
She is a nominative pronoun and a subject pronoun. It is used when the person is acting as the subject of a sentence or phrase.
6. What type of pronoun is “her”?
Her is an objective pronoun and an object pronoun. It usually appears when someone or something receives an action or functions in the object position.
7. Does a linking verb take an object?
No, a linking verb does not take an object. Instead, it connects equal grammatical units, such as a subject and a predicate nominative or predicate pronoun.
8. Is “This Is She” common in modern English?
Although “This Is She” follows the traditional grammatical rule, it may sound slightly formal or old-fashioned to some modern English speakers.
9. How can I improve my English grammar for phrases like this?
You can improve your English grammar by studying grammar lessons, practicing spoken English, learning real-life examples, and understanding sentence structure.
10. Which phrase sounds more natural in everyday speech?
In everyday conversation, “This Is Her” often sounds more natural to many speakers. However, “This Is She” remains the preferred choice in formal speaking situations.
Conclusion
Understanding the difference between “This Is She” and “This Is Her” helps improve your English language, communication skills, and confidence while speaking. The phrase “This Is She” follows the traditional grammar rules because she works as a subject pronoun after the linking verb “is.” However, modern English speakers often choose “This Is Her” because it feels more natural in casual phone conversations. Knowing both forms allows you to choose the right expression based on the context, whether you are having a professional conversation, a formal introduction, or a simple daily chat.
Learning pronoun usage, sentence structure, and grammatical function makes your speech clearer and more effective. While grammar provides important rules, natural communication also depends on how people actually use language. By understanding the difference between subject pronouns and object pronouns, you can avoid common mistakes, improve your spoken English, and present yourself with greater confidence in every conversation.
