this is city

USAGE SUMMARY

"this is city" is not a complete sentence and is not grammatically correct.
It could potentially be used in informal spoken English as a shortened way of saying "this is the city," but even then it would not be considered proper English. Example: I can't believe how big this is city! (In this example, the speaker is expressing surprise at the size of the city they are visiting.).

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

This is city property".

The New York Times

But this is city life".

The New York Times

"But this is city land that will be turned into a strip of parking," he said.

The New York Times - Arts

A caveat: the condos may feel like they're on the ocean, but this is city living.

The New York Times

There have been big weeks before in the "project" that is Manchester City under Roberto Mancini, and because this is City, predictability was never part of them.

Independent

"This is city is not in the business of promoting any more than it is in the business of discriminating against stores," he said.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

This is city-mandated.

Los Angeles Times

THIS is a city of beautiful restaurants.

The New York Times - Food

THIS is the city, Los Angeles, California.

The New York Times

THIS is a city that craves validation.

The New York Times - Style

"This is a city.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When referring to a city, always include an article (a/the) before "city". For example, use "this is the city" to refer to a specific city, or "this is a city" to refer to a city in general.

Common error

Avoid omitting the article "a" or "the" before "city". Saying "this is city" is grammatically incorrect. Instead, use "this is the city" or "this is a city".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is city" functions as an incomplete identification. As Ludwig AI indicates, it lacks an article and is therefore grammatically incorrect. It needs completion to function as a proper sentence.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this is city" is grammatically incorrect due to the missing article before the word "city". As Ludwig AI confirms, it requires an article (a/the) to be grammatically sound. The intended purpose is usually to identify something in relation to a city, but the incorrect grammar undermines its effectiveness. Predominantly found in News & Media contexts, its corrected forms can vary in formality. To use it correctly, consider "this is the city", "this is a city", "this is my city", or similar variations to convey your intended meaning accurately.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is the city

Adds the definite article "the", suggesting a specific or well-known city is being referred to.

this is city property

Specifies that something belongs to the city.

this is a city of

Highlights a defining characteristic or feature of a city.

this is my city

Expresses a personal connection or ownership of a city.

this is our city

Indicates a shared connection or ownership of a city by a group.

this is city life

Refers to the experiences and characteristics associated with living in a city.

this is city government

Specifies the governing body or administration of a city.

this is a city that

Introduces a relative clause to describe an attribute or action specific to a city.

this is the city's

Indicates possession by the city, often followed by a noun.

this here is the city

Adds an emphatic marker ("here") for emphasis, while still referring to a specific city.

FAQs

How can I correctly use the phrase "this is city" in a sentence?

The phrase "this is city" is grammatically incorrect. To use it correctly, you should add an article before "city". For example, "this is "the city"" or "this is "a city"".

What's the difference between "this is city", "this is the city", and "this is a city"?

"This is city" is grammatically incorrect. "This is "the city"" refers to a specific city known to both the speaker and listener. "This is "a city"" refers to any city in general.

Which is correct, "this is city" or "this is city life"?

"This is city" is grammatically incorrect. Although "this is "city life"" is grammatically correct, it is often used to describe the experiences and characteristics associated with living in a city.

What can I say instead of "this is city" to indicate ownership?

To indicate ownership, you can say "this is "my city"" or "this is "our city"", depending on whether you are referring to yourself or a group.