who did this? vs who did that?

Both phrases are correct, but they are used in different contexts. 'Who did this?' is used when referring to something close or recent, while 'Who did that?' is used when referring to something further away or in the past.

Last updated: March 31, 2024 • 2187 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to something close or recent.

"who did this?"

This phrase is used to inquire about the person responsible for something that has just happened or is currently happening nearby.

Examples:

Who did this mess in the kitchen?
Who did this beautiful painting?

Show examples from the web [+]

Can you tell us anything about who did this?
All right, who did this?
All right, who did this?
Sammy... do you know who did this?
Bartender have any idea who did this?
They have any idea who did this?
Can you find out who did this?
There are not one person who saw who did this?
Why do you care who did this?
Did you see who did this?
Doctor, you know who did this?
You're drunk, who did this?
Then clearly you know who did this?
Were you able to see who did this?
Do the cops know who did this?
Just tell me: who did this?
All right, just who did this?
So do they have any idea who did this?
Roger, did you see who did this?
You have no idea who did this?

Alternatives:

Who is responsible for this?
Who made this?

This phrase is correct and commonly used when referring to something further away or in the past.

"who did that?"

This phrase is used to inquire about the person responsible for something that happened further away or in the past.

Examples:

Who did that amazing mural on the wall?
Who did that terrible prank last week?

Show examples from the web [+]

Last night, who did that?
Know who did that?
Sorry, is it known who did that?
Mommy, who did that?
Okay, who did that?
(Scoffs) Who did that?
Who did that? It's awful!
Did you see who did that?
How am I going to trust someone who made me a man who did that?
And guess who did that?
Are you taking care of who did that?
Who did that? Roger.
Who did that? - No, no.
Just smell it. Know who did that?
These gouge marks on the side of your boss' truck, Any idea who did that?

Alternatives:

Who is responsible for that?
Who did that thing?

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who did this? vs who did that?

"who did this?"

"who did that?"

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