[Grammar] It is ... who/that ...

Status
Not open for further replies.

inase

Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2015
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Japanese
Home Country
Japan
Current Location
Japan
I am wondering if all the following sentences sound ok.
Logically, since these are emphatic expressions, whether they are good or bad may be judged by eliminating "it is" and "who/that." Therefore, I assume that only the odd numbers are correct.

1. It is I who am to blame.
2. It is I who is to blame.
3. It is I that am to blame.
4. It is I that is to blame.
5. It is you who are to blame.
6. It is you who is to blame.
7. It is you that are to blame.
8. It is you that is to blame.

Inase
 

GoesStation

No Longer With Us
Joined
Dec 22, 2015
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
I'd say "it's my/your fault."
 

teechar

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Feb 18, 2015
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
Iraq
Current Location
Iraq
Or,
I am to blame for ...
 

jutfrank

VIP Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2014
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
England
Current Location
England
Whether they sound okay and their logical correctness are not necessarily compatible.

If you're asking whether they sound okay, I can give you my personal judgement:

None of them sound great but the even numbers sound better than the odd. That is, they sound a bit less formal. Also naturally possible in casual conversation is It's me who's to blame.
 

inase

Member
Joined
Sep 9, 2015
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Japanese
Home Country
Japan
Current Location
Japan
Whether they sound okay and their logical correctness are not necessarily compatible.

If you're asking whether they sound okay, I can give you my personal judgement:

None of them sound great but the even numbers sound better than the odd. That is, they sound a bit less formal. Also naturally possible in casual conversation is It's me who's to blame.

In that case, do you say "it is me who am to blame," or "it is I who am to blame?"
I am curious about to what extent the verb in the sub clause follows the person of the subject in the main clause.
 

jutfrank

VIP Member
Joined
Mar 5, 2014
Member Type
English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
England
Current Location
England
I would say It's me who's to blame or possibly It is I who am to blame, but not It's me who am to blame. I don't think anyone would use the latter.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top