Want a simple game that can make almost anyone talk, laugh, and share their opinions? The this or that game is a great choice. It is easy to play, needs no special equipment, and works well with friends, family, couples, classmates, and online groups.
The basic idea is simple: one person gives two choices, and the other person must pick one. For example, “Coffee or tea?”, “Summer or winter?”, or “Beach or mountains?” The fun comes from seeing what people choose and why.
People search for this or that game because they want quick questions for parties, dates, classrooms, social media, sleepovers, or casual conversations. Some people also confuse it with Would You Rather, but the games are not exactly the same.
This guide explains what the this or that game is, where the phrase comes from, how to play it, common mistakes, examples, popular question categories, and tips for making the game more fun.
This or That Game – Quick Answer
The this or that game is a choice-based conversation game. Players are given two options and must choose one.
Simple examples
- Pizza or burgers?
- Dogs or cats?
- Morning or night?
- Books or movies?
- City or countryside?
- Texting or calling?
- Summer or winter?
- Chocolate or vanilla?
After choosing, players can explain their answer. This often creates funny or surprising conversations.
Unlike Would You Rather, which often asks players to choose between two unusual situations, This or That usually uses short choices between two things, preferences, or ideas.
How to play
- Choose two options.
- Ask another player the question.
- They pick one.
- Ask why if you want a deeper conversation.
- Continue with another question.
There are no complicated rules. That is one reason the game is so popular.
The Origin of This or That Game
The phrase “this or that” comes from the basic idea of choosing between two alternatives. The words this and that are old English demonstrative words used to point to or identify different things.
The modern game does not have one clearly established inventor or official starting date. Instead, it developed from a simple conversation pattern: asking someone to choose between two options.
Similar choice games have existed in many forms for a long time. People naturally ask questions such as, “Which do you prefer?” or “Would you choose this or that?” The game format turns this everyday activity into entertainment.
Today, the phrase this or that is common in party games, social media posts, quizzes, icebreakers, dating conversations, and classroom activities.
The important point is that “this or that” is not a spelling problem. It is a phrase describing a choice-based game.
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no major British-versus-American spelling difference in this or that game.
Both British English and American English normally use:
This or That Game
The words this, or, that, and game are spelled the same in both forms of English.
| Version | British English | American English |
| This or That Game | This or That Game | This or That Game |
| This or that? | This or that? | This or that? |
| This-or-that | Sometimes used informally | Sometimes used informally |
| This or That questions | Correct | Correct |
| This or That quiz | Correct | Correct |
Capitalization
Capitalization may change depending on the style.
As a title:
This or That Game
Inside normal text:
We played a this or that game.
Hyphenation can also vary when the phrase is used as an adjective. For example:
a this-or-that question
However, normal web searches often use the simple form this or that game.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
Since there is no meaningful US or UK spelling difference, you can safely use this or that game for almost any audience.
For a US audience
Use:
This or That Game
This is natural and widely understood.
For a UK or Commonwealth audience
You can also use:
This or That Game
There is no need to change the spelling.
For a global audience
The lowercase search phrase this or that game is a strong choice for website content because it closely matches how people search online.
For headings and titles, use:
This or That Game: 100 Fun Questions
For normal sentences, use:
We played a this or that game at the party.
Common Mistakes with This or That Game
People sometimes make mistakes when writing or describing this game.
1. Writing “this and that game”
“This and that” has a different meaning. The game is normally called the this or that game because players choose between alternatives.
Correct: This or That Game
Less accurate: This and That Game
2. Confusing it with Would You Rather
The games are similar, but not identical.
This or That:
“Tea or coffee?”
Would You Rather:
“Would you rather drink only tea or only coffee for a year?”
3. Making choices too complicated
The best questions are quick and easy to understand.
Good: Cats or dogs?
Too complex: Would you prefer living with cats for five years or dogs for three years?
4. Giving only serious questions
A mix of funny, personal, simple, and surprising questions makes the game more enjoyable.
5. Forgetting the explanation
The choice is fun, but asking “Why?” can make the conversation much better.
This or That Game in Everyday Examples
The game can be used in many settings.
In emails
A teacher or event organizer might write:
“To help us get to know each other, we will play a short this or that game during the meeting.”
This makes the activity clear and friendly.
In news and entertainment
Entertainment websites may use this format for celebrity quizzes, fan polls, and interactive content.
For example:
“Taylor Swift or Beyoncé: Which music do you prefer?”
On social media
This or That questions work especially well in posts and stories.
Examples:
- Instagram or TikTok?
- Beach or pool?
- Netflix or YouTube?
- Sweet or salty?
- Android or iPhone?
People can answer quickly or use polls.
In formal writing
The phrase can be used in formal content when describing an activity:
“The students completed a this or that game as an icebreaker.”
For highly formal writing, you may explain the activity instead:
“Students selected one option from each pair of choices.”
This or That Game – Google Trends & Usage Data
“This or that game” is a search-friendly phrase because it describes both the activity and its purpose. Interest can appear across several contexts, including party games, relationship questions, icebreakers, social media content, and children’s activities.
Search behavior can vary by country and season. Interest may rise when people search for:
- Party game ideas
- Icebreaker activities
- Date questions
- Couple games
- Friendship questions
- School activities
- Social media polls
- Sleepover games
Exact Google Trends numbers change over time and depend on the selected country, date range, and search category. Therefore, it is better not to treat a single popularity score as permanent data.
From an SEO perspective, related phrases can be useful alongside the main keyword:
- this or that questions
- this or that questions for friends
- this or that game for couples
- fun this or that questions
- this or that questions for kids
- funny this or that questions
- this or that game online
Using these related terms naturally can help a page serve different search intents.
This or That Game – Comparison Table
| Game Type | Main Idea | Example | Best For |
| This or That | Pick one of two choices | Cats or dogs? | Quick fun |
| Would You Rather | Choose between two situations | Fly or become invisible? | Parties |
| Truth or Dare | Answer or complete a challenge | Truth or dare? | Friends |
| Poll | Vote for an option | Pizza or burgers? | Social media |
| Quiz | Answer questions | Which character are you? | Learning and fun |
30 Fun This or That Game Questions
Here are some easy questions to start playing:
- Coffee or tea?
- Cats or dogs?
- Summer or winter?
- Beach or mountains?
- Pizza or burgers?
- Books or movies?
- Morning or night?
- Sweet or salty?
- City or countryside?
- Android or iPhone?
- TikTok or YouTube?
- Chocolate or vanilla?
- Rain or sunshine?
- Sneakers or sandals?
- Cake or ice cream?
- Texting or calling?
- Football or cricket?
- Music or movies?
- Sunrise or sunset?
- Car or bike?
- Spicy or mild?
- Travel or stay home?
- Comedy or action?
- Summer vacation or winter vacation?
- Pen or pencil?
- Online shopping or store shopping?
- Breakfast or dinner?
- Singing or dancing?
- Forest or desert?
- Money or free time?
FAQs About This or That Game
What is the this or that game?
The this or that game is a simple choice game where players choose between two options, such as “tea or coffee?”
How do you play this or that?
Give a player two choices. They select one. You can then ask them to explain their choice before asking another question.
Is this or that the same as Would You Rather?
No. They are similar, but This or That usually uses short preference choices, while Would You Rather often presents two hypothetical situations.
Can kids play the this or that game?
Yes. It is easy to adapt for children. Use age-appropriate choices such as “apples or bananas?” or “drawing or reading?”
Can couples play this or that?
Yes. Couples can use the game to learn more about each other’s likes, habits, travel preferences, food choices, and personalities.
Is “this or that game” spelled correctly?
Yes. This or That Game is the standard phrase. British and American English do not use different spellings for it.
What makes a good this or that question?
A good question should be short, clear, and offer two interesting choices. Funny or unexpected options can make the game even more entertaining.
Conclusion
The this or that game is one of the easiest games to play because it needs almost nothing except two choices and a willingness to answer. Its simple format makes it useful for parties, classrooms, family gatherings, dates, friendships, social media, and online conversations.
There is also no major spelling difference between British and American English. This or That Game works for both audiences. The main writing choice is usually capitalization, not spelling.
If you want a quick game, start with simple questions such as “Pizza or burgers?” or “Beach or mountains?”
If you want a deeper conversation, ask players to explain why they chose their answer. For children, keep questions safe and simple. For couples or friends, you can make them more personal or funny.
Whether you call it a game, quiz, icebreaker, or question activity, the idea remains the same: give two choices and let people pick. That simple format is what makes the this or that game fun, flexible, and easy to share.
I am Brandon Sanderson, an author at Grammra.com. I love exploring language, storytelling, and the power of effective communication. Through my content, I help readers strengthen their grammar knowledge and become more confident writers.
