dis (this)

'Dis' is a phonetic or slang spelling that mirrors pronunciation; 'this' is the standard written form. Use 'this' in formal, academic, and professional contexts. Reserve 'dis' for deliberate voice in dialogue, lyrics, or playful posts.

Quick answer

'I like dis' is nonstandard. Change it to 'I like this' for formal or neutral writing. Use 'dis' only to reproduce a speaker's casual voice, and keep it inside quotes or clearly marked dialogue.

Formal/neutral: I like this. - Always preferred.
Casual/dialogue: "I like dis," he said. - Acceptable when voice matters.
If unsure, search your draft for 'dis' and replace with 'this' unless the spelling is intentional.

Core explanation: what 'dis' represents

'This' is the standard demonstrative pronoun for something close in space, time, or thought. 'Dis' is a phonetic or dialectal rendering that replaces the voiced dental fricative /ð/ ("th") with /d/.

You'll see 'dis' in song lyrics, social media, and dialogue to signal accent, rhythm, or informality. It is not the accepted spelling in standard writing.

'this' = standard, dictionary form
'dis' = nonstandard, slang/dialectal spelling
Use 'dis' only when it serves a clear stylistic purpose

Grammar and correctness: why 'dis' is marked wrong

Standard spelling links meaning with register. Outside clear dialogue or creative voice, readers and graders treat 'dis' as an error. Automated checkers will flag it and expect 'this.'

For clarity and credibility in emails, essays, and reports, use 'this.'

Dictionaries list 'this' - not 'dis' - for the demonstrative pronoun.
Using 'dis' in formal documents can reduce credibility or be marked incorrect by reviewers.

Formal wrong: I like dis idea and will pursue it.
Formal right: I like this idea and will pursue it.

Real usage and tone: when 'dis' works - and when it backfires

'Dis' works when reproducing voice: character dialogue, creative narration, informal captions, or casual messages. It backfires in resumes, academic papers, client emails, and official reports.

Ask who the audience is. If readers expect polished prose, use 'this.' If you want to portray a speaker, confine 'dis' to quoted speech or clearly informal posts.

Acceptable: dialogue, song lyrics, memes, casual DMs among friends.
Avoid: job materials, academic work, business communications, public reports.
If you keep 'dis', signal it with quotes or a speaker tag so readers know it's intentional.

Dialogue (ok): "I like dis beat," she shouted.
Work (bad): I like dis approach - let's implement it. → Replace with: I like this approach; let's implement it.
School (bad): I like dis conclusion. → Replace with: I like this conclusion.

Hyphenation and spacing: nothing special to split

Demonstratives are single words: write 'this', not split forms like 't his' or hyphenated variants. 'Dis' follows the same single-word rule when used stylistically.

Punctuation can convey tone (e.g., "dis!"), but don't invent spacing or hyphenation in standard prose.

Never write: t his, th-is, d is in standard text.
If you show dialect, keep it compact: 'dis' inside quotes; avoid random splitting.
Punctuation (commas, exclamation points) is fine but doesn't change spelling rules.

Spacing wrong: I like t his song.
Spacing right: I like this song.
Dialect punct: "I like dis!" he laughed. - Acceptable stylistic choice.

Rewrite help: quick fixes and ready-to-use rewrites

Three-step method: identify the audience; replace 'dis' with 'this' for formal tone; if you keep dialect, confine it to quotes or a character tag.

Use these immediate rewrite patterns (Original → Formal → Casual/voice).

Formal fix: swap 'dis' → 'this' and tidy punctuation.
Dialog fix: wrap the nonstandard form in quotes and add a speaker tag.
Contraction tip: match contractions to register (e.g., that'll vs that will).

Rewrite 1: Original: I like dis car because it's fast. →
Formal: I like this car because it's fast. → Casual (voice): "I like dis car," he said.
Rewrite 2: Original: I like dis idea; we should try it. →
Formal: I like this idea; we should try it. →
Casual: I like dis idea - who wants to try?
Rewrite 3: Original: I like dis. →
Formal: I like this. →
Casual: "I like dis," she texted.
Work rewrite: Original (Slack): I like dis approach - let's run with it. → Safer (work): I like this approach; let's run with it. → If keeping voice: "I like dis approach," the PM said during standup.
School rewrite: Original (discussion): I like dis reading - it changed my view. → Formal (school): I like this reading; it changed my view. → Casual (forum): I like dis reading - really changed my mind!
Casual rewrite: Original (caption): I like dis new filter. → Neutral social: I like this new filter. → Playful caption: I like dis new filter lol.

Examples: wrong/right pairs for work, school, and casual contexts

Below are direct wrong/right pairs. Use the corrected line for formal or neutral writing; a casual alternative is noted where keeping voice is fine.

Pair 1: Incorrect: I like dis car because it's fast. →
Correct: I like this car because it's fast.
Pair 2: Incorrect: I like dis idea; we should try it. →
Correct: I like this idea; we should try it.
Pair 3: Incorrect: I like dis result - we exceeded the goal. →
Correct: I like this result - we exceeded the goal.
Pair 4: Incorrect: I like dis chapter, it explains things well. →
Correct: I like this chapter; it explains things well.
Pair 5: Incorrect: I like dis app; it's so easy to use. →
Correct: I like this app; it's so easy to use.
Pair 6: Incorrect: I like dis class - the professor is great. →
Correct: I like this class; the professor is great.
Work 1: Email - Incorrect: I like dis approach; let's present it Monday. →
Correct: I like this approach; let's present it Monday.
Work 2: Slack - Casual: I like dis idea - who wants to take it? → Safer: I like this idea. Who wants to take it?
Work 3: Proposal - Incorrect: I like dis plan, budget pending. →
Correct: I like this plan; the budget is pending.
School 1: Essay - Incorrect: I like dis thesis because it's original. →
Correct: I like this thesis because it is original.
School 2: Discussion - Incorrect: I like dis reading - it changed my view. →
Correct: I like this reading; it changed my view.
School 3: Lab - Incorrect: I like dis result, seems reproducible. →
Correct: I like this result; it seems reproducible.
Casual 1: Text - Incorrect: I like dis movie lol. → Better
casual: I like this movie lol. → Or keep voice: "I like dis movie," she texted.
Casual 2: Social - Incorrect: I like dis new filter. → Better: I like this new filter. (Use 'dis' only for playful captions.)
Casual 3: Chat - Incorrect: I like dis, wanna hang? → Better
casual: I like this - wanna hang?

Memory trick: an easy way to remember 'this' is correct

Mnemonic: "TH = standard." If a word begins with TH (this, that, these, those), use the TH spelling in standard writing.

Quick habit: before submitting, search for 'dis', 'dat', 'dem', 'ain't', and change nonstandard spellings to their standard forms.

Rule of thumb: quote dialect; don't scatter it through formal text.
Use your editor's search to find nonstandard spellings quickly.

Search tip: Ctrl/Cmd+F for 'dis' - most matches should become 'this' in school/work documents.

Similar mistakes and near-misses

Writers often spell words as they hear them. Treat these the same way: use the standard form in formal writing or confine slang to quoted speech.

'dat' → that
'dem' → them
'ain't' → isn't / are not (choose based on meaning)
'u' → you
'gonna' → going to

Sim 1: Incorrect: I like dat plan. →
Correct: I like that plan.
Sim 2: Incorrect: Ain't nobody like dis. →
Correct: Nobody likes this.
Sim 3: Incorrect (chat): u coming? → Correct (formal): Are you coming?

FAQ

Is 'dis' correct English?

Not in standard written English. 'Dis' is slang or phonetic spelling that represents speech; use 'this' in formal, academic, or professional contexts.

Can I use 'dis' in a text to a friend?

Yes. In private messages or playful posts, 'dis' is fine if you want a casual tone. Avoid it in messages to supervisors or instructors.

How do I correct 'I like dis' in a school paper?

Change it to 'I like this.' Then scan for other colloquial spellings and standardize them (that, them, you, going to).

When is it okay to keep dialectal spellings?

Keep them only when they serve character, voice, or authenticity - usually inside quotation marks or clearly labeled dialogue. Avoid dialect in neutral narration or formal exposition.

Could using 'dis' be offensive?

Usually it's just slang. But imitating dialects tied to a specific group can become stereotyping if done poorly. Use quotes, context, and sensitivity when portraying speech patterns.

Want a fast check on your sentence?

If you're unsure whether to keep 'dis' or change it to 'this', run your sentence through a grammar tool to flag nonstandard spellings and suggest formal rewrites. Use the tool's suggestions to preserve voice where it matters and avoid accidental informality in professional or academic writing.