Cool MateIt is vs It stands to reason vs This is
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
It is
High-frequency chunk
It stands to reason
Top 3,000 (common)
This is
Top 1,000 (very common)
| It is | It stands to reason | This is | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪt ɪz//🇺🇸 //ɪt ɪz// | 🇬🇧 //ɪt stændz tə ˈriːzn//🇺🇸 //ɪt stændz tə ˈriːzən// | 🇬🇧 //ðɪs ɪz//🇺🇸 //ðɪs ɪz// |
| Meaning | A way to say something is the case. | It makes sense. | A phrase used to introduce something or give an explanation. |
| Example | It is important to study for exams. | If you study hard, it stands to reason that you will pass the exam. | This is the project I was telling you about. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | High-frequency chunk | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| Collocations | It is true, It is time, It is clear | clear conclusion, logical explanation, common understanding | This is great, This is important, This is mine, This is how it works |
| Antonyms | - | It makes no sense, It's unreasonable, It defies logic, It doesn't follow | - |
| Common mistakes | Omitting 'is' when speaking., Confusing with 'there is' which has a different usage., Using 'it’s' incorrectly instead of 'it is' in formal writing. | Using it without context, making it unclear., Confusing it with 'it makes sense' in informal settings., Using the phrase in very formal documents where simpler language is preferred. | Omitting 'is' in informal speech, Using inappropriately in very formal presentations, Misplacing the phrase in a sentence |
| Usage notes | Used to make statements about existence or situations. It is appropriate in both spoken and written English. More formal alternatives exist in specific contexts (e.g., 'This is'). | Used when something is logical or clear. Avoid in overly formal writing. | Commonly used to point out or highlight something. It is appropriate in both formal and informal contexts. |
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Frequently asked questions: It is vs It stands to reason vs This is
What's the difference between It is, It stands to reason, and This is?
It is: A way to say something is the case. It stands to reason: It makes sense. This is: A phrase used to introduce something or give an explanation.
Can you show an example of each?
It is: It is important to study for exams. It stands to reason: If you study hard, it stands to reason that you will pass the exam. This is: This is the project I was telling you about.
Can I use It is, It stands to reason, and This is interchangeably?
Not always. It is, It stands to reason, and This is are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.