why"this is she" instead of "this is her"

[marymay12]

when the person picking up the phone is just the one wanted on the phone, he /she may say:"this is he/she". But the sentence seems a bit strange at sencond glance. Why not "this is him/her"? Thank you for any help.

 

[freezeframe]

when the person picking up the phone is just the one wanted on the phone, he /she may say:"this is he/she". But the sentence seems a bit strange at sencond glance. Why not "this is him/her"? Thank you for any help.

You can read the answer here.

 

[5jj]

That link does indeed provide an answer.

Usually I give my name when I answer the phone, which means this situation does not arise. If for some reason I do not, then this happens:

Caller: "fivejedjon?".......Response: "Yes(?)"

Caller: "May/can I speak to fivejedjon, please?"...... Response: "Speaking."

To me, both 'this is he' and 'this is him' sound pompous.

 

[kazewolf]

Not a teacher.
I'm just wondering if the subjective case(pronoun) has anything to do with this?
My reason for this is:
The word "this" is a pronoun, and he/him acts as a subject complement on "this" therefor we use she/he because it falls under the pronoun subjective case category.

EDIT:
Sorry, I didn't read the above link carefully. I just noticed that the above link alludes to the same conclusion as the one that I reached.

 

[BobK]

... I just noticed that the above link alludes to the same conclusion as me.

:?: ...'the same conclusion as [the one that] I [reached]'. But it's easier to leave the pronoun out, and just say '...the same conclusion', (and leave teachers to quibble about cases!)

b

 

[TheParser]

when the person picking up the phone is just the one wanted on the phone, he /she may say:"this is he/she". But the sentence seems a bit strange at sencond glance. Why not "this is him/her"? Thank you for any help.

***** NOT A TEACHER *****


(1) As the distinguished teachers have already told you, there is a lot

of controversy regarding this matter.

(2) NEVERTHELESS, there are a few people who are interested in

upholding the highest standards of English grammar.


(3) Since you teach English, you know, of course, that traditionally,

one uses the nominative case after a linking verb. So in choice

English, one says "This is she/he."

(4) It is true, of course, that nowadays most people say "This is her/him."

(5) You will have to make a decision -- insist on choice English

or go along with what is now popular.

P.S. In some cases, it's a matter of social survival. If a big, tough

American football player said "This is he," probably some people would

accuse him of being a "sissy" or even a person who prefers romantic

attachments with his own gender. In other words, for some people it

takes moral courage to speak "correct" English!!!

(6) As a teacher, you -- of course -- wish to give your students the

best education possible. I sincerely feel that when your students

write English in international correspondence, they will receive more

respect if they use choice -- rather than popular -- English.

 

[freezeframe]

P.S. In some cases, it's a matter of social survival. If a big, tough

American football player said "This is he," probably some people would

accuse him of being a "sissy" or even a person who prefers romantic

attachments with his own gender . In other words, for some people it

takes moral courage to speak "correct" English!!!

???????*


*speechless

 

[Barb_D]

I use "This is she" when the caller has mispronounced my name, a clear signal that it's a soliciatation call. Usually, like 5jj, I say "Speaking" or "This is Barb." I would never, ever say "This is her."