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Musicgold Posted 17 years ago
Grammar

Two consequtive 'is'

Hi,



I heard the following sentence in a conversation. Note two ‘is’ together. I am wondering if I could use similar sentences in writing.



‘There is not a lot of data and whatever data there is is not representative.’



Thanks,



MG.
  

Top answer

Hi, I think it might be ok. Compare these two examples: Whatever this stuff is is not important. = It's not important to know what this stuff is.

— Kooyeen

  • Hi, I think it might be ok.
  • Compare these two examples: Whatever this stuff is is not important.
  • = It's not important to know what this stuff is.
  • Whatever this stuff is, it's not important = This stuff is not important, no matter what it actually is.
  • I am not sure though.
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4 Answers
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Hi, I think it might be ok. Compare these two examples:

Whatever this stuff is is not important. = It's not important to know what this stuff is.
Whatever this stuff is, it's not important = This stuff is not important, no matter what it actually is.

I am not sure though. I might be wrong. [A]
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Sure, it's fine, but it does work better in speech than writing.

...whatever data does exist is not representative. is an alternative with the same meaning but without the seeming stammer.
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Kooyeen, and GG,

Thanks a lot.
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MusicgoldNote two ‘is’ together. I am wondering if I could use similar sentences in writing.
Perfectly fine. It's called a pseudo-cleft construction. The first is goes with the subject noun clause; the second is is the main verb of the sentence.

Whichever it is is bad.
What it is is a big problem.
All that is is a way to mak
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