When someone calls and asks, “May I speak with Sarah?” what should Sarah say: “This is she” or “This is her”?
It is a surprisingly common English grammar question. The traditional answer is “This is she,” because she is the subject-form pronoun used in formal grammar. However, “This is her” is extremely common in modern everyday speech and usually sounds more natural to many English speakers.
So, which one should you actually use?
The short answer is: “This is she” is the traditional formal choice, while “This is her” is common and natural in conversational English. If you want to avoid the issue altogether, “Speaking” or “Yes, this is Sarah” works in almost any situation.
This guide explains the grammar behind both expressions, shows when to use each one, and gives you practical examples for phone calls, business situations, and everyday conversations.
What Is the Correct Answer: “This Is She” or “This Is Her”?
If you are looking for the traditional grammar answer, choose “This is she.”
If you are asking what you will commonly hear in ordinary modern conversation, “This is her” is also widely used.
Read More: Masonary vs Masonry: Which Spelling Is Correct And Why It Matters
“This Is She” Is the Traditional Formal Choice
Consider this phone conversation:
Caller: May I speak with Anna?
Anna: This is she.
Traditional grammar analyzes this as the subject and she as a subject-form pronoun connected to it by the linking verb is.
The pronoun forms are:
- She subject form
- Her object form
Cambridge Grammar identifies she as the subject form and her as the object form. It also notes that object pronouns can occur after the verb be in ordinary modern English, which helps explain why expressions such as “That’s her” sound completely normal.
“This Is Her” Is Common in Everyday English
Now imagine a friend calls:
Caller: Is Emma there?
Emma: This is her.
This sounds perfectly natural to many speakers.
The important point is that everyday English does not always follow the strictest traditional rules taught in grammar textbooks. Spoken English changes over time, and speakers often prefer forms that feel natural and effortless.
That is why you may hear both:
This is she.
and
This is her.
The first is traditionally formal; the second is common conversational usage.
The Easiest Answer: “Speaking”
If you do not want to worry about the pronoun question, simply say:
Speaking.
For example:
Caller: May I speak with Daniel?
Daniel: Speaking.
This is short, natural, and especially useful in professional conversations.
Why Is “This Is She” Considered Grammatically Correct?
The reason comes down to pronoun case and the special role of the verb be.
She Is a Subject Pronoun
English has different forms of personal pronouns depending on their grammatical role.
| Subject | Object |
|---|---|
| I | me |
| he | him |
| she | her |
| we | us |
| they | them |
For example:
- She called me.
- I called her.
- She answered the phone.
- The manager spoke to her.
In the first and third examples, she is the subject. In the second and fourth, her is the object.
Cambridge’s grammar reference similarly distinguishes she and her as subject and object forms.
“Is” Is a Linking Verb
The tricky part is the word is.
In:
This is she.
is is not describing an action being performed on she. It is connecting this with the person being identified.
You can think of the underlying meaning as:
This person = she.
Or:
The person on the phone = she.
Under traditional grammar, the pronoun after a linking verb such as is can remain in the subject form.
That gives us:
This is she.
rather than:
This is her.
This same traditional pattern appears in expressions such as:
It is I.
and:
The person responsible is he.
However, these examples sound quite formal or old-fashioned to many modern speakers.
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Why “This Is Her” Still Sounds Natural
Here’s where English usage gets interesting.
In modern spoken English, forms such as:
That’s him.
That’s her.
It’s me.
are extremely common.
The strict traditional rule does not always match the way native speakers naturally talk. As a result, “This is her” can sound more conversational even though her is traditionally classified as an object pronoun.
This is a classic example of the difference between prescriptive grammar rules about how language is traditionally supposed to work and descriptive usage how people actually use language.
When Should You Use “This Is She”?
“This is she” is most useful when you want to follow traditional formal grammar or deliberately choose a formal tone.
In Formal or Professional Calls
Suppose you are answering a business call:
Caller: May I speak with Ms. Johnson?
Ms. Johnson: This is she.
This response is grammatically traditional and immediately tells the caller that they have reached the right person.
However, there is an even more natural professional option:
Yes, this is Ms. Johnson. How may I help you?
That version sounds polished without drawing attention to the pronoun issue.
When Grammar Precision Matters
If you are answering a grammar question, taking an English examination, or writing an explanation of traditional English usage, “This is she” is the safer answer.
For example:
Question: “May I speak to Lisa?”
Answer: “This is she.”
If the exercise is specifically testing traditional subject/object pronoun rules, she is generally the expected choice.
Example Sentences
Here are several situations where “This is she” works:
“May I speak to Jennifer?”
“This is she.”
“Is this Maria?”
“Yes, this is she.”
“Could I speak with Dr. Wilson?”
“This is she. How can I help?”
The phrase is correct in formal traditional usage, although some speakers may find it somewhat stiff.
When Is “This Is Her” More Natural?
If your goal is natural conversational English, “This is her” is often the more relaxed option.
In Casual Conversations
Imagine your friend calls:
Friend: Is Jessica there?
Jessica: This is her.
There is nothing confusing about this response. The caller immediately understands that Jessica has answered.
You might also hear:
“Yep, this is her.”
or:
“Yeah, this is her. What’s up?”
These are conversational rather than formal.
In Everyday Spoken English
The same pattern appears in many ordinary expressions:
That’s him.
That’s her.
It’s me.
These forms are so common that trying to replace every one of them with a traditional subject-form pronoun can make your speech sound unnatural.
Therefore, you should consider context, not grammar alone.
Avoid Treating “This Is Her” as a Serious Mistake
Calling “this is her” simply “wrong” is too simplistic for modern English.
Traditional grammar favors “this is she,” but actual usage is more complicated. Contemporary speakers routinely use object forms after be in constructions such as “That’s her.”
A useful grammar discussion from June Casagrande also points out that this question is largely a matter of formal grammar versus actual usage and notes that everyday speakers use different constructions naturally.
So, rather than thinking:
“This is her is always wrong.”
it is better to think:
“This is she” is the traditional formal construction, while “this is her” is common in modern conversational English.
“This Is She” vs. “This Is Her”: Quick Comparison
The following guide makes the difference easier to remember.
| Expression | Grammar tradition | Everyday usage | Best context |
|---|---|---|---|
| This is she | Traditional/formal | Less common in casual speech | Formal situations, grammar exercises |
| This is her | Less traditional | Very common | Casual and conversational situations |
| Speaking | Neutral | Very common | Business and everyday calls |
| Yes, this is Sarah | Clear and natural | Very common | Almost any situation |
| Yes, this is Sarah speaking | Professional | Very common | Work/business calls |
A Simple Decision Guide
Use this rule:
- Need the traditional grammar answer? → This is she.
- Having a casual conversation? → This is her is natural.
- Want a professional but natural response? → Yes, this is [Name].
- Want the shortest neutral response? → Speaking.
This approach is more useful than memorizing one expression as universally “correct.”
Also Read: Midday vs Mid Day: Which Spelling Is Correct In Modern English?
A Real-Life Example: Why the Question Keeps Coming Up
A published grammar question discussed by language writer June Casagrande describes a reader who was unsure what to say after receiving a phone call. The situation was simple: someone called and asked to speak with a particular woman, and the woman herself had answered the phone. The reader wondered whether she should respond with “This is she,” “This is her,” or another expression.
What makes the example useful is that the problem was not really about understanding English. The speaker already knew exactly what she wanted to communicate: “You are speaking to the person you asked for.”
The uncertainty came from trying to decide which grammatical form sounded correct.
That distinction matters in real communication. A person can know the grammar rule and still hesitate because the formal version feels unnatural in conversation. Conversely, someone can use the conversational version without ever knowing the traditional rule.
Imagine the same call in three settings.
Formal office:
Caller: “May I speak with Ms. Carter?”
Ms. Carter: “This is she.”
Modern professional conversation:
Caller: “May I speak with Ms. Carter?”
Ms. Carter: “Yes, this is Ms. Carter.”
Casual conversation:
Caller: “Is Emma there?”
Emma: “Yep, this is her.”
All three communicate essentially the same information. The difference is tone, formality, and grammatical tradition.
The lesson is simple: grammar should help communication, not make you afraid to speak.
What Recent Phone and Smartphone Data Tell Us
The question may sound like a small grammar issue, but phone communication remains relevant even in an age dominated by messaging and social media.
2025 Smartphone Ownership Data
Pew Research Center’s 2025 survey of 5,022 U.S. adults found that 98% of American adults owned a cellphone, while 91% owned a smartphone. The survey was conducted from February 5 through June 18, 2025.
Pew’s January 2026 analysis also reported that 97% of adults ages 18–49 and 90% of adults ages 50–64 owned a smartphone, while smartphone ownership among adults 65 and older was 78%.
These figures do not tell us how many people specifically say “this is she” or “this is her.” There is no reliable 2025–2026 survey establishing that percentage, so it would be misleading to invent one.
What the data do show is that phone-based communication remains part of a highly connected communication environment. That makes clear, natural telephone English useful for students, professionals, customer-service workers, and anyone communicating in English.
Why This Matters for English Learners
For English learners, small expressions can create disproportionate confusion.
You may understand:
She called me.
and:
I called her.
but still wonder:
This is she or her?
The answer becomes much easier once you understand that spoken English and traditional grammar can sometimes favor different constructions.
Common Mistakes With “This Is She” and “This Is Her”
Mistake 1: Thinking “Her” Is Always Wrong
This is too absolute.
Although she is the traditional subject form and her is the object form, modern English commonly uses object pronouns after be in expressions such as:
That’s her.
So don’t assume every use of her after is is automatically incorrect.
Mistake 2: Thinking “This Is She” Is the Only Acceptable Modern Answer
This is also too rigid.
Native speakers frequently use alternatives such as:
“This is her.”
“Speaking.”
“Yes, this is Sarah.”
Language is not limited to one textbook construction.
Mistake 3: Using “This Is Her” in Every Professional Situation Without Considering Tone
Although “this is her” is understandable and common, some formal environments may prefer a more polished response.
Instead of:
“This is her.”
you can say:
“Yes, this is Sarah speaking.”
This avoids the grammar debate entirely and sounds professional.
Mistake 4: Forgetting That “Speaking” Is an Option
You do not have to choose between she and her.
If someone asks:
“May I speak with David?”
David can simply respond:
“Speaking.”
It is concise, clear, and widely understood.
1. Quick Phone Check
Someone asks, “May I speak with Sarah?” Sarah answers. Which is the traditional formal response?
A) This is her
B) This is she
C) She is here
D) Her is speaking
Answer: B) This is she
2. Everyday English
Which response sounds natural in casual conversation?
A) This is her
B) This is she
C) This is hers
D) Her is me
Answer: A) This is her
3. The Professional Pick
Which response sounds professional and avoids the she/her issue?
A) Her speaking
B) This her
C) Yes, this is Sarah speaking
D) Sarah is her
Answer: C) Yes, this is Sarah speaking
4. Grammar Spotlight
Which word is the traditional subject pronoun?
A) Her
B) Hers
C) She
D) Herself
Answer: C) She
5. Spot the Object Pronoun
Which word is traditionally an object pronoun?
A) She
B) Her
C) Herself
D) Hers
Answer: B) Her
6. Fill the Phone Gap
Caller: “May I speak with Emma?”
Emma: “_____.”
A) This is she
B) This is her
C) Both can be heard in English, depending on context
D) Her is Emma
Answer: C) Both can be heard in English, depending on context
7. Keep It Super Short
Someone asks for David on the phone. What is a short, natural response?
A) Speaking
B) Speak
C) Spoken
D) Talk
Answer: A) Speaking
8. Formal or Casual?
Which phrase is generally considered the more traditional formal choice?
A) This is her
B) This is she
C) This her
D) Her speaking
Answer: B) This is she
9. What’s the Modern Twist?
Why does “This is her” sound natural to many English speakers?
A) Modern spoken English commonly uses forms like this
B) “Her” is always a subject pronoun
C) “She” is no longer used
D) Phone conversations have different grammar
Answer: A) Modern spoken English commonly uses forms like this
10. Business Call Challenge
A client calls and asks, “May I speak with Mr. Lee?” Mr. Lee answers. Which sounds polished?
A) Her speaking
B) This is him
C) Yes, this is Mr. Lee speaking
D) Him is here
Answer: C) Yes, this is Mr. Lee speaking
11. Traditional Grammar Test
Complete the sentence using the traditional formal form:
“May I speak with Lisa?”
“_____.”
A) This is her
B) This is she
C) This is hers
D) Her is this
Answer: B) This is she
12. Which One Sounds Wrong?
Which sentence is grammatically incorrect?
A) This is she
B) This is her
C) Speaking
D) Her is speaking
Answer: D) Her is speaking
13. She or Her?
Choose the traditional subject-form pronoun:
“_____ called me yesterday.”
A) Her
B) She
C) Hers
D) Herself
Answer: B) She
14. The Easy Escape
You want to avoid the “she or her” question completely. What can you say?
A) Speaking
B) Her
C) She
D) This her
Answer: A) Speaking
15. Final Expert Check
Which statement best summarizes the article?
A) “This is her” is always wrong
B) “This is she” is always the only natural choice
C) “This is she” is traditional, while “This is her” is common in modern conversation
D) Neither phrase can be used on the phone
Answer: C) “This is she” is traditional, while “This is her” is common in modern conversation
FAQs
Q. Is “This is she” grammatically correct?
A: Yes. “This is she” is the traditional formal construction used when identifying yourself after someone asks to speak with you. Traditional grammar treats she as the subject-form pronoun connected by the linking verb is.
Q. Is “This is her” grammatically correct?
A: “This is her” is common and natural in modern spoken English, although traditional grammar prefers “this is she” for this particular identification structure. The important distinction is between formal grammatical tradition and contemporary usage.
Q. Should I say “This is she” when answering the phone?
A: If you want the traditional formal answer, yes. “This is she” is especially appropriate when a grammar exercise or formal style calls for the traditional pronoun form.
Q. Is “This is her” more natural than “This is she”?
A: For many speakers, yes. “This is her” can sound more relaxed and conversational, while “this is she” may sound formal or somewhat old-fashioned.
Q. What is the most professional way to answer the phone?
A: A clear option is:
“Yes, this is [Name] speaking. How may I help you?”
It sounds professional and avoids the she/her question altogether.
Q. Can I just say “Speaking”?
A: Yes. “Speaking” is a concise and natural response when someone asks for you by name.
Q. What about “This is him” vs. “This is he”?
A: The same traditional distinction applies. “This is he” follows the traditional formal pattern, while “This is him” is common in everyday speech. A neutral alternative is “Yes, this is [Name].”
Final Verdict:
So, “this is she” or “this is her”?
If the question is asking for the traditional grammar answer, choose:
This is she.
If you are speaking naturally in everyday conversation, “This is her” is common and easily understood.
The best choice ultimately depends on context:
- Traditional/formal grammar: “This is she.”
- Casual conversation: “This is her.”
- Professional and natural: “Yes, this is [Name] speaking.”
- Short and neutral: “Speaking.”
The most important thing is not to let this tiny grammar question make you hesitate on the phone. English usage changes, and good communication is about both grammatical awareness and natural expression.
If you are learning English, remember the simplest rule: use “this is she” when you want the traditional formal form, but don’t be surprised when you hear “this is her” in ordinary conversation.
For a professional call, the safest all-purpose response is simply:
“Yes, this is [Name] speaking.”
That sounds clear, confident, and natural without turning a simple phone call into a grammar lesson.
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