Understanding whether the phrase this is she constitutes proper grammar requires a look at the mechanics of linking verbs, pronoun cases, and the evolution of English usage. On top of that, the short answer is yes, it is grammatically correct in formal English, but the reasons why—and the contexts where it applies—are nuanced. This article explores the grammatical rules governing this construction, the common confusion with object pronouns, and how modern usage has shifted the landscape of what sounds "right" to the native ear.
The Grammatical Rule: Linking Verbs and Subject Complements
To understand why this is she is technically correct, we must first identify the function of the verb is. That said, in this sentence, is acts as a linking verb (also known as a copular verb). That said, unlike action verbs, which transfer action to an object (e. Because of that, g. , She kicked the ball), linking verbs connect the subject of the sentence to a subject complement. The subject complement renames or describes the subject.
The critical rule in traditional prescriptive grammar is this: A subject complement that is a pronoun must be in the nominative (subject) case.
Because she is a nominative case pronoun (along with I, he, we, they), it matches the case of the subject this. That's why, the structure follows the logic of an equation: This = She. Just as you would say She is this, the inverse This is she maintains the nominative case on both sides of the verb.
This changes depending on context. Keep that in mind.
Consider these parallel examples:
- It is I (not It is me). Day to day, * The winner was he (not The winner was him). * This is she (not This is her).
In formal writing, academic contexts, and standardized testing, this rule is the standard. If you are writing a formal letter, a literary novel, or taking a grammar exam, this is she is the only prescriptively correct option.
The "It's Me" Phenomenon: Descriptive vs. Prescriptive Grammar
Despite the rigid rule outlined above, the vast majority of native English speakers instinctively say, "This is her" or "It's me." This discrepancy highlights the difference between prescriptive grammar (how authorities say we should speak) and descriptive grammar (how people actually speak).
English has undergone a massive shift over the last several centuries. Old English was a highly inflected language where case endings on nouns and pronouns were mandatory for comprehension. As those endings eroded, word order became the primary indicator of grammatical function. In modern English, the default case for pronouns has largely become the objective case (me, him, her, us, them).
Linguists refer to this as the "default accusative." In almost any position where a pronoun is not explicitly the subject of a tensed verb, the objective form feels natural to modern speakers.
- *Who wants ice cream?Which means * **Me. In practice, ** (Not I. )
- Who is at the door? **Her.On top of that, ** (Not She. )
- *This is her.
Saying This is she in a casual phone conversation often sounds stiff, archaic, or even pretentious to modern ears. It creates a social distance that the speaker may not intend. In descriptive linguistics, This is her is not an error; it is the standard colloquial form.
The Phone Call Context: Where the Battle Lives
The phrase this is she survives most prominently in one specific scenario: answering the telephone.
Caller: "May I speak to Jane Doe?" Receiver: "This is she."
Why does this formal construction persist here? Telephone etiquette historically borrowed from formal business correspondence. In the early days of telephony, identifying oneself clearly and "correctly" was a mark of professionalism and education. The phrase became a fixed idiom—a fossilized fragment of older grammar preserved in a specific social ritual Simple as that..
Still, even this bastion is crumbling. On top of that, in modern professional settings, many people opt for:
- "This is Jane. " (Using the name avoids the pronoun case issue entirely). Here's the thing — * "Speaking. Here's the thing — " (Concise and professional). In real terms, * "This is her. " (Increasingly accepted in less formal business sectors).
If you answer the phone with This is her, you will almost never be misunderstood, nor will you sound uneducated to the vast majority of listeners. You will simply sound contemporary.
"This Is She" vs. "This Is Her": A Deep Dive into Case
Let’s break down the mechanics of pronoun case to solidify why the confusion exists Easy to understand, harder to ignore. Nothing fancy..
The Nominative (Subject) Case
Pronouns: I, you, he, she, it, we, they Function: Used as the subject of a verb (She runs) or as a subject complement after a linking verb (It is she).
The Objective (Object) Case
Pronouns: me, you, him, her, it, us, them Function: Used as the object of a verb (He saw her), the object of a preposition (Give it to her), and—in modern English—as the default form in isolation or after be verbs in casual speech That's the part that actually makes a difference. But it adds up..
The "Than/As" Trap
A related area where this case confusion appears is in elliptical clauses (sentences with words left out).
- She likes him more than me. (Implies: She likes him more than she likes me.)
- She likes him more than I. (Implies: She likes him more than I like him.)
While than and as are technically conjunctions in these structures (requiring the nominative I), modern usage overwhelmingly treats them as prepositions (requiring the objective me). This mirrors the This is her shift: the objective case is becoming the universal default for non-subject positions.
Formal Writing: When You Must Use "This Is She"
There remain contexts where this is her would be flagged as an error, or at least as poor style.
- Academic Papers & Formal Essays: If you are writing a linguistic analysis or a formal paper, the nominative complement is expected. The author of the letter is she.
- Legal and Legislative Documents: Precision and adherence to traditional formal standards are essential.
- Historical Fiction & Period Drama: Dialogue set in the 19th or early 20th century requires this is she for authenticity. A Victorian character saying this is her would be an anachronism.
- Standardized Tests (SAT, ACT, GMAT, TOEFL): These exams test prescriptive rules. If a question asks you to correct the pronoun case after a linking verb, the answer will be the nominative (she, he, I).
Pro Tip for Writers: If this is she feels too stuffy for your dialogue or narrative voice, but you want to avoid the "error" of this is her, restructure the sentence.
- Instead of: "Is the manager there? This is she."
- Write: "Is the manager there? Speaking." or "This is the manager." This sidesteps the pronoun case debate entirely while sounding natural and authoritative.
The "Predicate Nominative" Terminology
In traditional grammar textbooks, the pronoun she in this is she is labeled a predicate nominative (or predicate noun/pronoun) It's one of those things that adds up..
- Predicate: The part of the sentence containing the verb and stating something about the subject.
- Nominative: The case used for the subject.
The logic is that the verb to be acts like an equal sign (=). Since you cannot have an object on the other side of an equal
Why the “Predicate Nominative” Matters (Even If You Never Use the Term)
Understanding the label predicate nominative helps you see why the rule exists in the first place. In a sentence like
This is she.
the subject this and the complement she are meant to refer to the same entity. The verb to be functions as an equative copula—essentially the grammatical equivalent of an equals sign. Because the two sides are being identified, the complement is treated as if it were also a subject, which is why the nominative case is traditionally required.
In languages with a solid case system (German, Russian, Latin, etc.English has lost most of its inflectional case endings, but the vestige of that rule survives in the prescriptive tradition. Consider this: ), the complement of to be must match the case of the subject. That is why you will still encounter the term predicate nominative in style guides and test‑prep books, even though native speakers rarely apply it in everyday conversation.
The Real‑World Impact: Does It Really Matter?
1. Clarity vs. Formality
In most spoken contexts, this is her is instantly understood and never causes confusion. The only time the distinction becomes a practical problem is when the surrounding discourse creates ambiguity about who “her” refers to. For example:
“Who answered the phone?”
“This is her.”
If the listener knows that only one woman is present, the meaning is clear. If multiple women could be speaking, the more formal this is she (or a rephrased identification) removes any doubt.
2. Perceived Competence
Surveys of native‑speaker intuitions show a split: around 60 % of respondents consider this is she “correct but formal,” while 30 % label it “stilted,” and the remaining 10 % think this is her is “acceptable in casual speech.On top of that, ” In professional settings—especially in journalism, academia, or corporate communications—using the nominative can subtly signal attention to detail and adherence to standard English. Conversely, over‑formal language can sound pretentious if the audience expects a conversational tone.
3. Search‑Engine Optimization & Voice Assistants
A surprisingly modern consideration is how search algorithms and voice‑assistant parsers treat these constructions. Still, some older natural‑language‑processing models flagged this is her as a potential error, leading to reduced confidence scores. Updating the model to accept both forms is now standard, but the legacy of the rule still shows up in older corpora and, consequently, in some downstream applications (e.g.” and the response is “This is her,” the assistant correctly maps her to a known contact. When you ask a virtual assistant, “Who is this?, automated proofreading tools that still flag this is her as a “subject‑verb agreement” issue).
Quick Reference Cheat Sheet
| Context | Recommended Form | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday conversation | *This is her.Plus, * | Period‑accurate |
| Standardized‑test preparation | *This is she. In real terms, * | Aligns with prescriptive grammar |
| Dialogue set in a historical period | *This is she. * | Natural, idiomatic |
| Formal writing (academic, legal, official) | *This is she.Day to day, g. * | Test makers expect the nominative |
| When you want to avoid the debate | Rephrase (e., “Speaking,” “It’s me,” “The manager here. |
Not obvious, but once you see it — you'll see it everywhere It's one of those things that adds up..
The Bottom Line
The debate over this is she versus this is her is a microcosm of a larger linguistic tension: the pull between historical prescription and contemporary usage. While the prescriptive rule—nominative after a linking verb—remains valid in formal grammar, everyday English has moved decisively toward the objective case as the default for non‑subject positions Worth keeping that in mind..
For most writers and speakers, the practical advice is simple:
- Know your audience. If you’re drafting a scholarly article, a legal brief, or a period piece, stick with this is she.
- Prioritize naturalness in speech and informal writing. This is her will sound more relaxed and authentic.
- When in doubt, rephrase. A short, clear identification sidesteps the case issue entirely and often improves clarity.
Closing Thought
Language lives in the space between rules and usage. The this is she vs. Here's the thing — this is her controversy reminds us that grammatical conventions are not immutable statues but evolving conventions shaped by the people who speak them. By understanding both the historical logic behind the nominative complement and the modern tendency toward the objective, you can make informed choices that suit your purpose—whether that purpose is to sound impeccably formal, to blend without friction into everyday conversation, or simply to avoid the occasional grammar‑check hiccup And that's really what it comes down to. Which is the point..
So the next time you pick up a phone and answer, feel free to say whichever version feels right for the moment. After all, effective communication is the ultimate goal, and both this is she and this is her get the message across—just with a slightly different stylistic flavor.
