it's and is when using a comma

Hello!

I came across this sentence the other day: "Seeing them now, it's like a miracle." However, would it be correct to say "Seeing them now is like a miracle"? Is the "it's" needed and if so, why? Is it because of the comma? :-? Thanks :-D

cookie201 said:

Hello!

I came across this sentence the other day: "Seeing them now, it's like a miracle." However, would it be correct to say "Seeing them now is like a miracle"? Is the "it's" needed and if so, why? Is it because of the comma? :-? Thanks :-D

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Yes, both versions are OK. The "it's" is there because it provides a subject and a verb for the clause.

It's not same same meaning.

Something "is miraculous." I don't know what. But seeing "them" confirmed how miraculous it was.

In your version, it's the acting of seeing them that is miraculous.

Barb_D said:

It's not same same meaning.

Something "is miraculous." I don't know what. But seeing "them" confirmed how miraculous it was.

In your version, it's the acting of seeing them that is miraculous.

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In both versions, their just being alive may be the miracle.

OK! Thank you so much for you answers :-D:-D

Yes, I understand that in my version the act of seeing them is miraculous, and that's exactly what I was trying to say. Still, I don't really understand how the first one is different from my version :-? I think I see the difference, but I'm not very sure. Does something similar happen with these two sentences, for example?

Now it's my turn
Now's my turn

Thank you

cookie201 said:

OK! Thank you so much for you answers :-D:-D

Yes, I understand that in my version the act of seeing them is miraculous, and that's exactly what I was trying to say. Still, I don't really understand how the first one is different from my version :-? I think I see the difference, but I'm not very sure. Does something similar happen with these two sentences, for example?

Now it's my turn
Now's my turn

Thank you

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I didn't see much difference in your first examples, and I see no difference in these.

Oh, OK, I see now. Thank you so much :-D

(not a teacher)

cookie201 said:

Still, I don't really understand how the first one is different from my version

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As far as I'm concerned,
"Seeing them now is like a miracle"
can only mean that you did not expect to see them right at the moment of speaking.
Perhaps you thought them dead, perhaps you thought them far away, which is why you are surprised.

Whereas with
"Seeing them now, it's like a miracle",
literally anything could be "like a miracle" and seeing them the way they currently are contradicts an assumption you had previously made.
E.g: "I never thought they would make up. Seeing them now, it's like a miracle."
Here, "it" could - for instance - refer to their having a cup of tea together and not "seeing them" but "seeing them have a cup of tea together" seems like a miracle.

However, I would like to have that confirmed just as much as you do.

User1291 said:

However, I would like to have that confirmed just as much as you do.

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These examples are what Barb_D was referring to in her post.