Have you ever played a simple question game where you had to choose between two things? For example, would you choose tea or coffee, cats or dogs, or summer or winter? These are called this or that questions.
This or that questions are short questions that give you two choices. You pick one. They are easy to ask, easy to answer, and fun for almost everyone. People use them with friends, family, couples, students, and even people they have just met.
Many people search for this or that questions because they want fun questions for a party, date, classroom, social media post, game night, or group chat. They can also help people learn more about each other.
The best part is that you do not need long answers. You simply choose one option and explain why if you want.
In this guide, you will learn what this or that questions mean, how to use them, common mistakes, and many simple examples you can use right away.
This or That Questions – Quick Answer
This or that questions ask someone to choose between two options.
For example:
- Tea or coffee?
- Summer or winter?
- Cats or dogs?
- Beach or mountains?
- Books or movies?
The person chooses one:
“Coffee.”
Or they can give a longer answer:
“Coffee, because I like the taste.”
Simple Formula
A basic this or that question looks like this:
Option A or Option B?
Examples:
Pizza or burgers?
Morning or night?
City or countryside?
Sweet or salty?
These questions are often used as games because they are quick and easy.
Why Are This or That Questions Popular?
They can:
- Start a conversation
- Help people get to know each other
- Make parties more fun
- Create social media content
- Help students speak English
- Make dates less awkward
- Give friends something fun to talk about
The questions can be serious, funny, simple, or personal, depending on the group.
The Origin of This or That Questions
The phrase “this or that” is made from simple English words.
This points to one thing.
That points to another thing.
When we put them together, “this or that” can show a choice between two things.
For example:
Would you choose this or that?
Over time, this simple idea became popular as a question game. People began using short choice questions in conversations, games, magazines, classrooms, parties, and online posts.
Today, this or that questions are common on social media and in group chats. They are also used as icebreakers.
There is no special spelling history for the phrase. The words are standard English words, and the phrase keeps the same basic spelling in both British and American English.
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no spelling difference between British English and American English for this or that questions.
Both use:
this or that questions
The phrase has the same meaning in both forms of English.
| Feature | British English | American English |
| Phrase | this or that questions | this or that questions |
| Spelling | Same | Same |
| Meaning | Questions with two choices | Questions with two choices |
| Common use | Games, chats, classes | Games, chats, classes |
| Difference | None | None |
This or That vs This or That Questions
There is a small difference in use.
This or that is the choice.
This or that questions means a group or type of questions that gives two choices.
For example:
This or that?
is a short way to ask someone to choose.
But:
I made 20 this or that questions for the party.
means there are 20 questions to answer.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Use:
this or that questions
This spelling works for:
- American English
- British English
- Canadian English
- Australian English
- General international English
You do not need to change the spelling for different English-speaking audiences.
If you are writing a title, you can use:
This or That Questions
If you are using the phrase in normal writing, you can write:
I need some this or that questions for my friends.
For a social media post, you may also use a short form:
This or That?
Both are correct. The choice depends on what you are writing.
Common Mistakes with This or That Questions
Although the phrase is simple, people can make a few common mistakes.
Mistake 1: Using “These or Those”
This or that is normally used when choosing between two things.
For example:
Tea or coffee?
You can ask:
This or that?
Do not change the phrase just because there are two choices.
Mistake 2: Writing “This and That”
This and that has a different meaning.
It usually means two or more things together.
Example:
We talked about this and that.
This does not mean you are asking someone to choose.
For a choice, use:
This or that?
Mistake 3: Giving Too Many Choices
A true this or that question normally gives two choices.
For example:
Pizza or pasta?
If you ask:
Pizza, pasta, burgers, or tacos?
you now have four choices. It can still be a fun question, but it is not a simple two-choice question.
Mistake 4: Making the Question Too Long
The best this or that questions are often short.
Instead of:
Would you prefer to spend your weekend at a place near the ocean where you can swim and relax, or would you rather go somewhere with tall mountains?
Try:
Beach or mountains?
Short questions are easier and more fun.
Mistake 5: Forgetting the Question Mark
When the phrase is used as a question, use a question mark.
Correct:
Cats or dogs?
Correct:
This or That Questions in Everyday Examples
This or that questions can be used almost anywhere.
With Friends
You can ask:
- Movies or TV shows?
- Pizza or burgers?
- Summer or winter?
- Texting or calling?
- Morning or night?
These are easy ways to start a chat.
On a Date
This or that questions can help people learn about each other.
Try:
- Coffee or tea?
- Dinner or lunch?
- Beach date or city date?
- Stay in or go out?
- Sunrise or sunset?
They can keep the conversation light and fun.
In Emails
A teacher, event planner, or team leader might use a simple choice question:
Would you prefer Monday or Tuesday?
This has the same basic idea as a this or that question, but it sounds more professional.
For formal emails, a full question is often better than the casual phrase “this or that.”
On Social Media
This or that questions are very popular for posts and stories.
Examples:
Beach or mountains?
Coffee or tea?
Summer or winter?
People can answer with one choice.
In Classrooms
Teachers can use these questions to help students practice speaking.
Examples:
Books or movies?
Math or science?
School or holidays?
Students can choose one answer and explain why.
Fun This or That Questions
Here are some easy questions you can use with friends or family:
- Cats or dogs?
- Tea or coffee?
- Summer or winter?
- Beach or mountains?
- Pizza or burgers?
- Movies or books?
- Morning or night?
- Sweet or salty?
- City or countryside?
- Sunrise or sunset?
- Cake or ice cream?
- Chocolate or vanilla?
- Rain or snow?
- Phone call or text?
- Music or movies?
- Sneakers or boots?
- Breakfast or dinner?
- Apple or banana?
- School or holidays?
- Indoor or outdoor?
- Car or bike?
- Ocean or lake?
- Hot or cold?
- Singing or dancing?
- Summer vacation or winter vacation?
Funny This or That Questions
If you want people to laugh, try funny choices.
- Would you rather have a tail or wings?
- Talk like a robot or walk like a penguin?
- Eat only pizza or only burgers for a week?
- Have a pet dragon or a pet dinosaur?
- Be able to fly or become invisible?
- Always wear wet socks or always have messy hair?
- Live without music or live without movies?
- Have a giant head or tiny feet?
- Laugh every time you talk or sing every time you speak?
- Eat sweet food or salty food forever?
These questions are good for parties, sleepovers, and group chats.
Deep This or That Questions
This or that questions do not always have to be silly. You can also ask deeper questions.
Examples:
- Love or money?
- Success or happiness?
- Freedom or security?
- Fame or privacy?
- Truth or comfort?
- Adventure or peace?
- Work or free time?
- City life or quiet life?
- Plan everything or go with the flow?
- Follow your heart or your mind?
These questions can lead to longer conversations.
This or That Questions for Couples
Couples can use these questions to learn more about each other.
- Date night or movie night?
- Dinner out or dinner at home?
- Beach trip or city trip?
- Morning date or evening date?
- Gifts or quality time?
- Phone calls or text messages?
- Big party or small gathering?
- Travel together or stay home?
- Romantic dinner or fun activity?
- Sunrise or sunset?
There are no right or wrong answers. The goal is to talk and have fun.
This or That Questions for Friends
Try these with your friends:
| Question | Choice 1 | Choice 2 |
| Food | Pizza | Burgers |
| Drink | Tea | Coffee |
| Travel | Beach | Mountains |
| Entertainment | Movies | Games |
| Time | Morning | Night |
| Weather | Summer | Winter |
| Communication | Text | Call |
| Pets | Cats | Dogs |
| Food taste | Sweet | Salty |
| Lifestyle | City | Countryside |
You can take turns asking the questions. You can also ask someone to explain their choice.
This or That Questions – Google Trends & Usage Data
The phrase “this or that questions” is closely linked to online games, social media, icebreakers, dating, friendship content, and classroom activities.
People may search for this phrase when they need:
- Questions for friends
- Questions for couples
- Party questions
- Icebreaker questions
- Date questions
- Classroom activities
- Social media ideas
- Fun conversation starters
Search interest can vary by country and time. It may rise when people are looking for party games, school activities, social media content, or conversation ideas.
The phrase is also easy to understand for English learners. This makes it useful in many countries where English is taught as a second language.
Related searches may include:
- this or that questions for friends
- this or that questions for couples
- funny this or that questions
- hard this or that questions
- this or that questions for adults
- this or that questions for kids
- best this or that questions
Comparison Table: Common Variations
| Phrase | Meaning | Best Use |
| This or that | A choice between two things | Short posts or games |
| This or that questions | A group of two-choice questions | Games and activities |
| Would you rather | Choose between two situations | Fun or deep questions |
| Either-or questions | Choose one of two options | Formal or casual use |
| Choice questions | Questions with choices | Classes and surveys |
| Icebreaker questions | Questions that start conversations | Groups and events |
How to Make Good This or That Questions
Good questions are simple and clear.
Keep Them Short
Instead of a long question, try:
Beach or mountains?
Make Both Choices Interesting
A good question should make people think.
Travel or stay home?
Both options should feel possible.
Match the Audience
For kids, use simple questions:
Ice cream or cake?
For adults, you can use deeper questions:
Money or free time?
For couples, use relationship questions:
Date night or movie night?
Add a Reason
After someone chooses, ask:
Why?
This can turn a one-word answer into a real conversation.
For example:
Coffee or tea?
Coffee.
Why?
Because I like the taste and smell.
That is how a simple question can start a longer chat.
FAQs;
1. What are this or that questions?
This or that questions give someone two choices. The person picks one.
Example:
Cats or dogs?
2. How do you play this or that?
One person asks a question with two choices. The other person picks one answer. You can continue taking turns.
3. What is a good this or that question?
A good question is short, clear, and gives two interesting choices.
Example:
Beach or mountains?
4. Are this or that questions the same as would you rather questions?
They are similar because both ask people to choose. However, would you rather questions often describe two actions or situations.
5. Can this or that questions be used on social media?
Yes. They are great for posts, polls, stories, and group chats.
6. Are this or that questions good for couples?
Yes. They can help couples learn about each other’s likes, habits, and ideas.
7. Are “this or that questions” spelled differently in British English?
No. The phrase has the same spelling in British and American English.
8. Can this or that questions be serious?
Yes. They can be funny, simple, personal, or deep.
For example:
Success or happiness?
9. How many choices should a this or that question have?
Usually, there are two choices. That is what makes the question simple and quick.
10. Can children play this or that?
Yes. Children can play with simple questions such as:
Cats or dogs?
Cake or ice cream?
Summer or winter?
Conclusion;
This or that questions are simple questions that ask people to choose between two options. They are easy to understand and can be used in many situations. You can ask them when talking with friends, meeting new people, going on a date, teaching a class, or making social media content.
The basic pattern is easy:
Option A or Option B?
For example:
Coffee or tea?
Beach or mountains?
Movies or books?
There is no special British or American spelling for this phrase. This or that questions is correct in both forms of English.
The best questions are short, clear, and fun. You can also make them deep if you want a more meaningful conversation. After someone chooses an answer, ask “Why?” to keep the conversation going.
Whether you need questions for friends, couples, kids, parties, classrooms, or social media, this or that questions are a simple way to start a conversation and learn more about the people around you.
