Funny This or That Questions: Hilarious Picks

Funny this or that questions are a simple way to make conversations more entertaining, break the ice, and learn surprising things about friends, family members, coworkers, or classmates. However, English learners sometimes wonder what “this or that” actually means and whether they should use this or that when asking a question.

Both words are correct, but they point to different things. In simple terms, this usually refers to something closer, while that usually refers to something farther away. Understanding this difference helps you use this-or-that questions naturally while also improving your everyday English grammar.

Why “This” and “That” Are Confusing

The words this and that are extremely common in English. Because both can point to people, objects, situations, and ideas, learners sometimes use them interchangeably.

Similar Pronunciation

This and that do not have the same pronunciation, but they begin with the same voiced “th” sound. For learners whose first language does not commonly use this sound, the words may initially feel similar.

For example:

• This is my phone.
• That is your phone.

The grammar is similar, but the location or context changes the correct word.

Similar Spelling

Both words are short demonstratives beginning with th. They also frequently appear in similar sentence patterns:

• This is funny.
• That is funny.
• I like this.
• I like that.

Because the sentence structures are nearly identical, it is easy to choose the wrong word.

Context Confusion

Distance is one of the main differences between this and that, but distance does not always mean physical space.

You can say:

This idea sounds interesting.

Here, the idea may be the one currently being discussed.

You might also say:

That idea you mentioned yesterday was interesting.

In this case, that points back to something more distant in the conversation or in time.

Common Learner Mistakes

Learners often make mistakes such as:

• Using this for a distant object.
• Using that for an object they are holding.
• Confusing this/that with the plural forms these/those.
• Assuming one word is more grammatically correct than the other.
• Forgetting that context, not just physical distance, determines the choice.

Both this and that are correct English words. You simply need to choose the one that matches the situation.

This vs That Explained Simply

The easiest difference is about closeness and distance.

This means a singular person, object, idea, or situation that is relatively close, while that usually refers to one that is farther away or less immediate.

Think of it this way:

• This = near
• That = farther away

For example:

This sandwich in my hand is delicious.

That sandwich on your desk looks delicious too.

The same principle can apply to time and ideas.

This week has been busy.

The speaker is talking about the current week.

That week was exhausting.

The speaker is referring to another week, usually one already mentioned.

One-Line Distinction

Use “this” for something close or immediate and “that” for something more distant or previously mentioned.

This difference also explains the phrase this or that, which presents two alternatives and asks someone to choose between them.

For example:

Pizza or burgers?

Cats or dogs?

These are simple this or that questions because the person must choose between two alternatives.

Understanding Homophones in English

What Are Homophones?

Homophones are words that sound the same but have different meanings, spellings, or both.

For example:

• right = correct
• write = form words using letters

They sound alike but have completely different meanings.

Why Homophones Cause Confusion

Homophones can confuse English learners because listening alone may not reveal which word a speaker means.

For example:

I need to write the right answer.

Both words sound alike, but their meanings become clear from context.

Importantly, this and that are not homophones. They have different pronunciations and meanings. However, studying homophones is useful when learning commonly confused English words because it teaches you to pay attention to meaning, grammar, and context instead of relying only on sound.

What Does “This” Mean?

Definition and Core Meaning

This is a demonstrative word used to identify a singular person, thing, situation, or idea that is close to the speaker or currently important in the conversation.

It can function as a demonstrative determiner or pronoun.

For example:

This book is mine.

Here, this comes before the noun book.

This is mine.

Here, this works as a pronoun.

Origin and Historical Use

This is a very old English word. It developed from Old English demonstrative forms used to identify something relatively near or immediate.

Although English grammar and pronunciation have changed greatly over the centuries, the basic pointing function of this has remained.

Modern Usage and Synonyms

In modern English, this commonly refers to:

• A nearby object
• A nearby person
• The present time
• A current situation
• Something being introduced
• A current topic or idea

There is no perfect synonym for this in every sentence because it performs a specific grammatical function. Depending on context, related expressions may include the present, the current one, or the one here.

Examples of “This”

This phone belongs to me.

Can you read this?

This morning has been surprisingly peaceful.

I really like this idea.

This joke always makes me laugh.

Notice how each example points toward something relatively immediate or relevant.

What Does “That” Mean?

Definition and Core Meaning

That can be a demonstrative used to identify a singular person, object, situation, or idea that is relatively distant from the speaker.

For example:

Look at that car across the street.

It can also function as a pronoun:

That belongs to Sarah.

However, that has additional grammatical uses. It can also introduce clauses:

I know that she is busy.

Therefore, its exact meaning depends on context.

Origin and Historical Context

Like this, that has deep roots in Old English. Earlier forms were used to point toward or identify people, objects, and ideas.

Over time, that developed several grammatical functions. Today, it remains one of the most frequently used words in English.

Modern Usage and Synonyms

As a demonstrative, that commonly identifies:

• A distant object
• A distant person
• A past event
• A previously mentioned idea
• Something less immediate to the speaker

Possible context-based alternatives include:

• The one there
• The previous one
• The mentioned thing
• The earlier situation

Examples of “That”

That house across the road is beautiful.

Who gave you that?

That day changed everything.

I remember that conversation.

That joke you told yesterday was hilarious.

In each example, that creates some degree of distance—physical, conversational, or temporal.

This vs That: Key Differences at a Glance

Word	Part of Speech	Meaning	Example Context
This	Demonstrative pronoun/determiner	A singular thing that is close or immediate	This cup in my hand is hot.
That	Demonstrative pronoun/determiner; other grammatical uses	A singular thing that is farther away or less immediate	That cup on the shelf is blue.
This	Demonstrative determiner	Current time or situation	This month is busy.
That	Demonstrative determiner	Previous or more distant time	That month was difficult.
This	Pronoun	Something currently presented	This is my favorite.
That	Pronoun	Something farther away or previously identified	That is yours.

The simplest rule remains:

This = near/current

That = farther away/less immediate

How to Remember the Difference Between This and That

You do not need complicated grammar rules to remember these words.

Use the “Here and There” Trick

Connect:

• This with here
• That with there

Imagine holding a cookie.

This cookie here is mine.

Now imagine pointing toward another cookie across the room.

That cookie there is yours.

Think About Psychological Distance

Distance does not always involve meters or feet.

Compare:

I love this idea.

The idea feels current and immediate.

I didn’t like that idea we discussed last year.

The idea belongs to an earlier discussion.

Remember the Plural Forms

The singular and plural pairs are:

• This → These
• That → Those

For example:

This apple is fresh.

These apples are fresh.

That apple is fresh.

Those apples are fresh.

Memorable Example

Imagine you have two slices of pizza. One is in your hand, and another is on a table across the room:

This pizza is mine; that pizza is yours.

If you remember that picture, the difference becomes much easier.

Funny This or That Questions

Now that the grammar is clear, what exactly are funny this or that questions?

They are entertaining questions that give someone two choices. The person normally has to select one option, even when both choices are silly, strange, embarrassing, or difficult.

For example:

Would you rather have spaghetti for hair or popcorn for teeth?

The fun comes from having to make a choice.

Here are some funny this or that questions you can use with friends, family, students, coworkers, or at parties:

1. Pizza for breakfast or pancakes for dinner?
2. Talk like a robot or walk like a penguin?
3. Have spaghetti hair or popcorn teeth?
4. Always whisper or always shout?
5. Fight one giant chicken or ten tiny dinosaurs?
6. Wear clown shoes every day or a pirate hat everywhere?
7. Have a pet dinosaur or a talking cat?
8. Give up your phone for a week or give up dessert for a month?
9. Laugh every time you are nervous or sneeze every time you are excited?
10. Eat only sweet food or only spicy food for a week?
11. Have a monkey as your boss or a goat as your roommate?
12. Wear wet socks all day or sleep with a mosquito in your room?
13. Be able to talk to dogs or understand babies?
14. Have unlimited pizza or unlimited ice cream?
15. Sing everything you say or dance everywhere you go?
16. Have a nose that glows or ears that change color?
17. Live without Wi-Fi or live without chocolate?
18. Wear your clothes backward or wear your shoes on the wrong feet?
19. Laugh like a cartoon villain or sneeze like a trumpet?
20. Have eyebrows made of grass or hair made of noodles?

These questions work because there is no serious right or wrong answer.

Funny This or That Questions for Kids

For children, keep the choices simple and imaginative:

• Flying like a bird or swimming like a dolphin?
• Giant teddy bear or tiny elephant?
• Chocolate river or ice-cream mountain?
• Super speed or super strength?
• Talking dog or dancing cat?
• Pancakes every morning or pizza every evening?
• Live in a treehouse or live in a castle?
• Be invisible or be able to fly?

They can also be useful in an English classroom because students practice vocabulary and speaking while having fun.

Funny This or That Questions for Adults

For adults, questions can focus on everyday habits and harmless awkward situations:

• No coffee for a month or no social media for a month?
• Bad haircut or embarrassing ringtone?
• Always arrive 30 minutes early or 10 minutes late?
• Forget everyone’s name or have everyone forget yours?
• Sing at every meeting or dance before answering the phone?
• Unlimited vacations or unlimited restaurant meals?
• Work in pajamas or attend meetings wearing a superhero costume?
• Accidentally reply all or accidentally send a message to the wrong person?

Good this-or-that questions are usually short, clear, and easy to answer.

Common Mistakes and Confusions

The most common problem is choosing a demonstrative based only on the noun instead of considering distance and context.

Mistake 1: Using “This” for Something Far Away

✘ This building over there is my school.

If the building is far away, that is usually more natural.

✔ That building over there is my school.

Mistake 2: Using “That” for Something in Your Hand

✘ That pen in my hand is new.

Unless the context creates another kind of contrast, this is more natural.

✔ This pen in my hand is new.

Mistake 3: Using “This” With a Plural Noun

✘ This shoes are expensive.

This is singular.

✔ These shoes are expensive.

Mistake 4: Using “That” With a Plural Noun

✘ That houses are beautiful.

Use those for plural nouns.

✔ Those houses are beautiful.

Mistake 5: Thinking “This or That” Requires the Literal Words

A this or that question does not need to contain the words this and that.

For example:

Coffee or tea?

That is still a this-or-that question because the listener chooses between two options.

Examples Section: Correct and Incorrect Usage

Here are additional examples to make the difference clearer.

✔ Correct: This laptop on my desk belongs to me.

✘ Incorrect: These laptop on my desk belongs to me.

Why? Laptop is singular, so this is correct.

✔ Correct: That mountain in the distance looks beautiful.

✘ Incorrect: This mountain in the distance looks beautiful.

Why? That is generally more natural because the mountain is far away.

✔ Correct: This week has been really busy.

✘ Incorrect: These week has been really busy.

Why? Week is singular.

✔ Correct: I still remember that summer we spent together.

✘ Incorrect: I still remember those summer we spent together.

Why? Summer is singular, so that is required.

✔ Correct: This is the funniest question you’ve asked me today.

✘ Incorrect: These is the funniest question you’ve asked me today.

Why? This agrees with the singular idea being identified.

✔ Correct: That was a hilarious answer.

✘ Incorrect: Those was a hilarious answer.

Why? That works with a singular subject and agrees with was.

Self Assessment: Test Your Knowledge

Choose this or that to complete each sentence.

1. ______ phone in my hand is brand new.
2. Look at ______ huge bird on the roof across the street!
3. I will never forget ______ funny conversation we had last summer.
4. ______ is the book I am reading right now.

Before checking the answers, ask yourself whether the thing is close/current or distant/previously mentioned.

Self Assessment Answers

1. This phone in my hand is brand new.
2. Look at that huge bird on the roof across the street!
3. I will never forget that funny conversation we had last summer.
4. This is the book I am reading right now.

If you got all four correct, you understand the basic distinction between this and that.

FAQs

1. What are funny this or that questions?

Funny this or that questions are entertaining two-choice questions that ask a person to select between two amusing, unusual, or difficult options. For example, “Talking dog or dancing cat?” is a simple this-or-that question.

2. What is the difference between “this” and “that”?

This normally refers to something close, current, or immediate, while that usually refers to something farther away, earlier, or less immediate.

For example:

This chair beside me is comfortable.

That chair near the door is broken.

3. Which is correct: this or that?

Both this and that are correct. Use this for a singular thing that feels close or immediate and that for a singular thing that feels more distant.

4. Are “this” and “that” homophones?

No. This and that are not homophones because they are pronounced differently. However, both are demonstratives and can appear in similar grammatical structures.

5. What is the plural of “this” and “that”?

The plural of this is these, while the plural of that is those.

• This book → These books
• That book → Those books

6. How do you make funny this or that questions?

Choose two clear, contrasting options and make the choice entertaining. For example:

Never use your phone again or never eat pizza again?

The best questions are easy to understand but difficult or funny to answer.

7. Can funny this or that questions be used in the classroom?

Yes. They can be useful conversation starters for English learners. Students can choose an answer and then explain why, helping them practice vocabulary, pronunciation, speaking, and sentence formation in an enjoyable way.

Conclusion

Understanding this vs that becomes much easier once you connect the words with distance and context. This generally refers to one person, object, idea, event, or situation that is close, current, or immediately relevant. That usually points to something farther away, less immediate, previously mentioned, or located in the past. A useful memory trick is “this = here” and “that = there.” If something is close to you, think this. If you are pointing toward something farther away, think that.

The phrase “this or that” also has a popular conversational meaning. Funny this or that questions give someone two choices and ask them to pick one. Questions such as “Pizza or burgers?”, “Talking cat or dancing dog?”, and “No Wi-Fi or no chocolate?” can turn an ordinary conversation into a fun game. They are especially useful as icebreakers, party questions, classroom speaking activities, and conversation starters.

Remember that both this and that are correct English words. The goal is not to decide which word is always better but to understand when each one fits the context. Keep practicing with real objects, conversations, and playful questions. With regular use, choosing between this and that will soon become natural.