How to analyze this sentence?

chaiyu · #1 (**permalink**) 19-Dec-2006, 06:34

Dear Teacher,

I had trouble when I read this sentence in TIME magzine (October 23, 2006, page 41)
Could someone help me?

Here is the sentence:

Fundamentalism is not the only valid form of faith, and to say it is, is the great lie of our time.

Why does this sentence include three "is"?

Thank you!

BobK · #2 (**permalink**) 19-Dec-2006, 15:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaiyu

...

Fundamentalism is not the only valid form of faith, and to say it is, is the great lie of our time.

Why does this sentence include three "is"?

...

Because - in this form - it needs all three. It's not the most elegant of sentences, but it's not ungrammatical. What it's saying is:

'Fundamentalism is not the only valid form of faith. It is untrue to say - though many people do say it - that fundamentalism is the only valid form of faith.'

b

chaiyu · #3 (**permalink**) 20-Dec-2006, 06:18

Oh, I see.

Thanks for your answer!
It really helps me a lot.


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