this is funny

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this is funny" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express amusement or to indicate that something is humorous. Example: "After watching the comedy skit, I couldn't help but say, 'This is funny!'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Ha, this is funny.

The Guardian - Music

This is funny and strange.

The New York Times - Arts

This is funny, or terrifying.

The New York Times - Arts

NE This is funny.

The Guardian - Books

None of this is funny.

The New York Times

This is funny, clever, sharp.

Harvard Business Review

10.45pm BST This is funny.

The Guardian - Music

I said: "This is funny.

The Guardian

My God, this is funny!

The Guardian - Film

This is funny, until it is not.

The New Yorker

This is funny but also touching.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this is funny" to express immediate amusement or recognition of humor in a situation or statement. It's suitable for informal conversations and lighthearted writing. For example, after hearing a witty remark, you might say, "This is funny!"

Common error

Avoid using "this is funny" in formal or professional settings where a more sophisticated or nuanced expression of amusement is appropriate. Instead of saying "This is funny" in a business presentation, consider using phrases like "This is an interesting observation" or "This is quite insightful".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this is funny" primarily functions as an exclamatory expression used to convey amusement or recognition of humor. Ludwig examples show its usage across diverse contexts, affirming its role in expressing a subjective reaction to something perceived as humorous. Ludwig AI confirms this with its "RESPONSE_YES" status.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

18%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Science

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this is funny" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express amusement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely applicable across various informal and neutral contexts, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it's best to avoid it in highly formal or professional settings where more sophisticated expressions are preferred. Remember that depending on the context, consider alternatives such as "this is hilarious" or "this is amusing" to fine-tune your expression. Be mindful of the situation to ensure your exclamation of amusement is appropriate and well-received.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this is hilarious

Emphasizes a higher degree of amusement; more intense than "this is funny".

this is amusing

Suggests a mild form of amusement; less intense than "this is funny".

this is comical

Highlights the humorous nature of something, often implying lightheartedness.

this is a joke

Indicates that something is intended to be humorous or is absurd.

this is rich

Can imply irony or sarcasm, suggesting the humor is derived from a contradiction or absurdity.

this is absurd

Highlights the ridiculous or nonsensical nature of something, finding humor in the irrationality.

this is a hoot

An informal expression indicating something is highly amusing or entertaining.

this is a scream

Suggests something is extremely funny, often causing uncontrollable laughter.

that's a knee-slapper

An idiomatic expression for something extremely funny.

that's a barrel of laughs

An idiomatic expression for something highly amusing or enjoyable.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "this is funny"?

You can use alternatives like "this is hilarious", "this is amusing", or "this is comical" depending on the context and the level of amusement you want to express.

When is it appropriate to use "this is funny"?

It's appropriate in informal settings, casual conversations, or when reacting to something humorous in the moment. It might not be suitable for formal writing or professional presentations where a more nuanced expression might be required.

Are there situations where "this is funny" might be inappropriate?

Yes, in situations where sensitivity is required, such as when discussing serious topics or when someone is sharing a personal struggle. Using "this is funny" in those contexts could be perceived as insensitive or dismissive.

Is there a difference between saying "this is funny" and "that is funny"?

The choice depends on proximity and context. "This is funny" is often used to refer to something happening or being said in the present moment, while "that is funny" refers to something that happened in the past or is more distant.