I
Ikarashi
Guest
Hello.
I am a graduate student of linguistics in Japan.
I am now interested in "it is that" constructions and their use. Please help me with my research.
I assume that B's utterances (1) and (2) are both acceptable in their context. However, (3), which is "it is that" constructions, is odd in its context, while (4), which is also "it is that" constructions, is acceptable.
I would like to confirm my assumption. Please tell me your judgement.
[conversation 1]
A: Tom hasn't gone to the gym recently.
B: Really? (1) Is he in good health?
A: Yes. But he is busy with his work.
[conversation 2]
A: Tom hasn't gone to the gym recently.
B: Really? (2) Is he busy with his work?
A: Yes.
[conversation 1']
A: Tom hasn't gone to the gym recently.
B: Really? (3) Is it that he is in good health?
A: Yes. But he is busy with his work.
[conversation 2']
A: Tom hasn't gone to the gym recently.
B: Really? (4) Is it that he is busy with his work?
A: Yes.
I am a graduate student of linguistics in Japan.
I am now interested in "it is that" constructions and their use. Please help me with my research.
I assume that B's utterances (1) and (2) are both acceptable in their context. However, (3), which is "it is that" constructions, is odd in its context, while (4), which is also "it is that" constructions, is acceptable.
I would like to confirm my assumption. Please tell me your judgement.
[conversation 1]
A: Tom hasn't gone to the gym recently.
B: Really? (1) Is he in good health?
A: Yes. But he is busy with his work.
[conversation 2]
A: Tom hasn't gone to the gym recently.
B: Really? (2) Is he busy with his work?
A: Yes.
[conversation 1']
A: Tom hasn't gone to the gym recently.
B: Really? (3) Is it that he is in good health?
A: Yes. But he is busy with his work.
[conversation 2']
A: Tom hasn't gone to the gym recently.
B: Really? (4) Is it that he is busy with his work?
A: Yes.