Cool MateIt is vs It stands to reason
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
It is
High-frequency chunk
It stands to reason
Top 3,000 (common)
Most common: It is
| It is | It stands to reason | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ɪt ɪz//🇺🇸 //ɪt ɪz// | 🇬🇧 //ɪt stændz tə ˈriːzn//🇺🇸 //ɪt stændz tə ˈriːzən// |
| Meaning | A way to say something is the case. | It makes sense. |
| Example | It is important to study for exams. | If you study hard, it stands to reason that you will pass the exam. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | High-frequency chunk | Top 3,000 (common) |
| Collocations | It is true, It is time, It is clear | clear conclusion, logical explanation, common understanding |
| 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. |
| 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. |
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Frequently asked questions: It is vs It stands to reason
What's the difference between It is and It stands to reason?
It is: A way to say something is the case. It stands to reason: It makes sense.
Which is more common: It is and It stands to reason?
It is is the most common in everyday English.
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.
Can I use It is and It stands to reason interchangeably?
Not always. It is and It stands to reason 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.