0
Anonymous Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

"is it" or "it is"

Hello,

I have a question about a particular sentence in a doc I've been proofreading. I consider my English pretty good, but when the author of the doc. asked me why I couldn't give him a reason. I just said "I don't know why, I just know it is correct." Anyways, if anybody could give me some help on the particular grammer rules of this sentence it would be most appreciated. Thanks much...

The sentence is: Only in the case of a T data set classification it is impossible to find an increase in any of the measured performance indices.

I corrected it to read: Only in the case of a T data set classification, is it impossible
to find an increase in any of the measured performance
indices.

The question in regards is: to use "is it" or "it is"

I believe my edit is correct, but would like to know the grammar rules that prove it.

Thanks much for your help.
  

Top answer

You are correct, but no comma is needed. The word order of the subject and verb is reversed when the phrase beings the sentence. It is impossible to find an increase in any of the measured performance indices only in the case of a T data set classification.

— RandomGuy

  • You are correct, but no comma is needed.
  • The word order of the subject and verb is reversed when the phrase beings the sentence.
  • It is impossible to find an increase in any of the measured performance indices only in the case of a T data set classification.
  • Only in the case of a T data set classification is it impossible to find an increase in any of the measured performance indices.
Free · every Monday

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.

8 Answers
0
You are correct, but no comma is needed. The word order of the subject and verb is reversed when the phrase beings the sentence.

It is impossible to find an increase in any of the measured performance indices only in the case of a T data set classification.

Only in the case of a T data set classification is it impossible to find an increase in any of the m
0
0
I think this is the case of inversions after negative adverbials.

http://www.fullspate.net/efl-advanced-grammar/
0
0
This made me curious. I would write it is not is it, but it is very probable that I am wrong. Let's hope a native speaker replies to your question, because now I want to know the answer too.
0
0
AgaristaI would write it is not is it, but it is very probable that I am wrong.
It is is wrong in the original sentence.
AgaristaLet's hope a native speaker replies to your question, …
I am a native speaker, Silena might be a native speaker, and the original poster is almost certainly a native speaker, which is why he
0
0
So sorry, for some reason I didn't see the previous replies.
0
0
AgaristaSo sorry
No! It’s fine. The point I am making is most native speakers who don’t study the grammar of their language have only a subconscious understanding of the rules. They can usually tell correct from incorrect because they’ve been speaking the language all their lives, but they (including me) often lack the conscious knowledge to explain why someth
0
0

Aspara Gus:The point I am making is most native speakers who don’t study the grammar of their language have only a subconscious understanding of the rules. They can usually tell correct from incorrect because they’ve been speaking the language all their lives, but they (including me) often lack the conscious knowledge to explain why something is correct or incorrect.
0
0
Anonymouswould like to know the grammar rules that prove it.
Subject-verb inversion is required after initial expressions that are negative or contain 'only'.

Only in their dreams could anyone imagine becoming as rich as that.
Not in a million years would he try that kind of trick.
Never have I seen su
0

Related Questions