this over that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this over that" is correct and usable in written English
It is typically used to express a preference for one thing over another. Example: "I would choose this over that any day when it comes to quality."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 human-written examples

We have now done this over 16,000 times.

Forbes

This stretched over 60 years.

The Economist

This includes over 15,000 nucleotides of DNA sequence.

CBE Life Sciences Education

This equates to over 36,000 individuals in Europe.

Reference Module in Biomedical Sciences

Over 450 student organizations serve this campus of over 30,000.

Forbes

In the U.S. alone this will take over 100,000 teachers.

Huffington Post

This search retrieved over 700 citations.

European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

This amounts to over 500,000 adults.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

This worked out to over 100,000 new professionals each year.

The Guardian

This morning she had over 120,000.

Huffington Post

This past month, I taught over 150 hours of improv to over 100 students.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this over that" to clearly express a preference or indicate a selection between two specific options. Ensure the context provides a clear comparison for effective communication.

Common error

Avoid using "this over that" when comparing multiple items or complex situations. This phrase is best suited for simple, direct comparisons between two distinct choices.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this over that" functions primarily as a prepositional phrase used to express preference or duration. Ludwig AI confirms its usability. It sets up a comparison, indicating a favored option, or describing how long something lasts, as illustrated by examples like "I prefer this over that."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "this over that" is a grammatically sound and common way to express preference or duration. As Ludwig AI indicates, its primary function is to clearly state a choice or illustrate a period. It is most frequently found in news and media, science, and academic contexts, maintaining a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. When writing, ensure you use it for direct comparisons to avoid ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this rather than that

Emphasizes preference by contrasting two specific options.

this instead of that

Directly replaces one option with another, highlighting substitution.

prefer this to that

Clearly states a liking for one thing more than another.

choose this over that

Highlights the act of selecting one option from multiple choices.

opt for this instead of that

Formal way to express choosing one option over another.

this in preference to that

Emphasizes a strong inclination towards one option.

this as opposed to that

Highlights a contrast between two different options.

spanning this across that

Describes something that extends from one point to another

this throughout that

Indicates something present or happening from the start to the end of a period

this during that

Highlights when something occurs within a specific time frame

FAQs

How can I use "this over that" in a sentence?

Use "this over that" to clearly express a preference between two distinct options. For example, "I prefer "this over that" when it comes to choosing a dessert."

What's the difference between "this over that" and "this rather than that"?

While both express preference, "this rather than that" emphasizes a deliberate choice, whereas "this over that" simply indicates a general preference. Consider the slight nuance when selecting which phrase to use.

What are some alternatives to saying "this over that"?

You can use alternatives like "this instead of that", "prefer this to that", or "choose this over that" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "this over that"?

Yes, "this over that" is grammatically correct and commonly used to express a preference or comparison between two specific items or options.