“This or that” is a common English phrase used to offer two choices. It helps people compare things, make decisions, or ask simple questions.
For example, you might ask, “Would you like tea or coffee?” or “Do you prefer this or that?” The phrase can also refer to a choice between two ideas, actions, or items.
Many people search for this or that because they want to know its meaning, correct use, and place in English grammar.
This guide explains the phrase, its history, common mistakes, and how to use it in daily life.
Quick Answer
“This or that” is the correct phrase when you want to present two choices or compare two things.
- This refers to something near you or something you are talking about now.
- That refers to something farther away or something already mentioned.
- Or joins the two options and shows a choice.
Examples:
- Would you like this or that?
- Should we go today or tomorrow?
- Which color do you prefer, blue or red?
- Do you want to watch a film or play a game?
The phrase is correct in both British and American English. There is no spelling difference between the two forms.
The Origin of This or That
The words “this” and “that” come from Old English. They have been used for centuries to point to people, objects, places, and ideas.
“This” usually points to something close or something that is part of the current discussion. “That” often points to something farther away or something already known to the speaker and listener.
The word “or” also comes from Old English. It connects choices and alternatives.
Over time, “this or that” became a common phrase in everyday speech. Today, people use it in conversations, games, online polls, quizzes, and social media posts. The phrase has kept the same basic meaning over time.
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no difference between British and American spelling for “this or that.” Both forms use the same words and follow the same basic grammar rules.
| Feature | British English | American English |
|---|---|---|
| Correct phrase | This or that | This or that |
| Spelling | This / that | This / that |
| Main use | Offering choices | Offering choices |
| Question example | Would you like this or that? | Would you like this or that? |
| Informal use | This or that game | This or that game |
| Formal use | This option or that option | This option or that option |
The main differences between British and American English appear in words such as “colour” and “color,” not in “this” or “that.”
Both forms are correct in the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, and other English-speaking regions.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
You should always write “this or that.” The correct form does not change based on your country or audience.
For American readers: Use “this or that” in schoolwork, emails, websites, and daily conversation.
For British readers: Use the same phrase in both formal and informal writing.
For readers in other countries: “This or that” is widely understood and works well in international English.
For professional writing: Use the phrase when the choices are clear. For example, “Please confirm whether you want this plan or that plan.”
For social media: You can use it as a short question, a poll, or a game. For example, “Coffee or tea? This or that?”
The key is not to change the spelling. Instead, choose words that make the two options easy to understand.
Common Mistakes with This or That
People sometimes misuse “this or that” because they confuse the meaning of the two words or use the phrase without enough context.
1. Confusing “this” and “that”
Incorrect: “This is far away from me, and that is right in my hand.”
Correct: “That is far away from me, and this is right in my hand.”
Use “this” for something near and “that” for something farther away in the usual physical sense. In real speech, the choice can also depend on context.
2. Using “this” or “that” without a clear meaning
Unclear: “I like this or that.”
Clear: “I like this shirt or that jacket.”
Add the names of the items when the reader may not know what you mean.
3. Treating “this or that” as a spelling choice
Incorrect: “Which spelling is right, this or that?”
Correct: “Should I use this word or that word?”
“This” and “that” are both correct words. They have different uses, rather than different spellings of the same word.
4. Using “and” when you mean a choice
Choice: “Would you like tea or coffee?”
Both items: “I bought tea and coffee.”
Use “or” when presenting alternatives. Use “and” when you mean both items.
5. Forgetting the question mark
Incorrect: “Would you like this or that.”
Correct: “Would you like this or that?”
Use a question mark when the phrase forms a direct question.
This or That in Everyday Examples
The phrase is useful in many settings. The exact wording can change, but the main purpose stays the same: to present or compare choices.
In Emails
You can use “this or that” when asking someone to choose between two options.
Example:
Subject: Meeting Time
Hi Sam,
Would you prefer this meeting time or that one? Please let me know which works best for you.
Thank you.
For a more formal email, name both options clearly instead of relying on “this” and “that.”
In News
News reports may use the phrase when describing a choice, debate, or difference between two ideas.
Example: “Voters must decide between this plan or that proposal.”
A clearer version may be: “Voters must decide between the new plan and the earlier proposal.”
On Social Media
“This or that” is popular in polls, quizzes, and short posts.
Examples:
- Tea or coffee: this or that?
- Summer or winter?
- Books or films?
- City life or country life?
These questions invite people to share their preferences.
In Formal Writing
In reports and essays, it is often better to name the options clearly.
Less clear: “The company must choose this or that.”
Clearer: “The company must choose between the current system and the proposed system.”
The phrase is not wrong in formal writing. Clear details simply make the meaning easier to follow.
This or That – Usage and Popularity
“This or that” is a common English expression, but its popularity depends on how it is used. It appears in daily conversations, language lessons, online quizzes, social media polls, and marketing content.
There is no reliable country-by-country usage figure provided here, so exact popularity rankings should not be assumed.
| Context | Common use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Questions and social media polls | Pizza or burgers: this or that? |
| United Kingdom | Everyday choices and conversation | Would you like this or that? |
| Canada | General conversation | This option or that one? |
| Australia | Informal questions and games | Beach or mountains: this or that? |
| Global English | Teaching and simple comparisons | Which one do you prefer? |
The phrase is understood across English-speaking regions. Its meaning stays the same even when the topic or setting changes.
How to Understand Search Interest
Search interest for “this or that” may include several different needs. Some people want its definition, while others look for question ideas, party games, classroom activities, or social media prompts.
Google Trends can help compare search interest across countries and over time. However, search interest is not the same as the number of people who use the phrase in daily speech. Without checking a specific date range and region, it is best not to claim that one country uses it more than another.
This or That: Comparison Table
| Phrase | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| This | Points to something near or currently discussed | This is my book. |
| That | Points to something farther away or already mentioned | That is your bag. |
| This or that | Offers two choices | Would you like this or that? |
| These | Refers to multiple things nearby | These shoes are new. |
| Those | Refers to multiple things farther away | Those shoes are old. |
| This and that | Refers to two things together or various things | We talked about this and that. |
| One or the other | Means a choice between two options | Choose one or the other. |
| Either this or that | Makes the two alternatives clear | You can choose either this or that. |
These phrases are related, but they do not always mean the same thing. Choose the one that matches your intended meaning.
FAQS
1. Is “this or that” grammatically correct?
Yes. “This or that” is grammatically correct and is used to present two choices or alternatives.
2. What does “this or that” mean?
It means one choice or the other. For example, “Would you like this or that?” asks someone to choose between two things.
3. Is “this or that” the same in British and American English?
Yes. Both British and American English use the same spelling, meaning, and basic grammar.
4. Should I use “this or that” or “these or those”?
Use “this or that” for two individual items or ideas. Use “these or those” when referring to multiple items.
Example: “Do you want this book or that book?” and “Do you want these books or those books?”
5. Can I use “this or that” in formal writing?
Yes, but make sure the choices are clear. In reports and business emails, naming each option is often better.
6. Is “this or that” a phrase or an idiom?
It is a common phrase, not usually a traditional idiom. Its meaning comes directly from the words that form it.
7. What is a “this or that” game?
A “this or that” game asks people to choose between two options. For example, players may choose between cats and dogs, tea and coffee, or summer and winter.
8. Can “this or that” be used as a question?
Yes. For example, “Would you prefer this or that?” is a direct question. You can also use the phrase as a heading for a poll or game.
Conclusion
“This or that” is the correct phrase for presenting two choices in English. The words do not change between British and American English, so you can use the same spelling in any English-speaking country.
Remember that “this” often points to something near, while “that” often points to something farther away or already mentioned.
Use “or” when asking someone to choose between alternatives. For clearer writing, name both options when the meaning is not obvious.
For more help with everyday English, read our related guide on this vs that: meaning and usage.
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