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Anonymous Posted 10 years ago
Grammar

syntax query

hello everybody... an Eglish enthusiast here.. I'm having a hard time with the following : "They are studying cells whose function it is to protect against infection ". It seems to me that "it" is redundant. However, this sentence comes from a Proficiency Sample Test and it is not likely to be wrong. Any help ?
  

Top answer

It's fine. The expression is rather formal and stylish. It wouldn't be wrong to drop the 'it'.

— Clive

  • It's fine.
  • The expression is rather formal and stylish.
  • It wouldn't be wrong to drop the 'it'.
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4 Answers
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It's fine. The expression is rather formal and stylish.
It wouldn't be wrong to drop the 'it'.
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thanks... isn't whose function the subject of is though? if so, it renders it unnecessary, right ?
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Unnecessary but not wrong. whose X it is is a fixed expression.
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I see. Thanks a lot Clive.
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