he is is

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "he is is" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English, although it may sound awkward or repetitive.
It can be used in situations where a person is stating that someone or something is currently in a certain state or condition. Example: "He is is a successful entrepreneur, but he wasn't always this way." In this sentence, the speaker is emphasizing that the person being referred to is currently successful, as opposed to their past experiences.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One thing he is is vulnerable.

The New York Times

What he is is profoundly entertained.

The New York Times

What he is, is what he is.

The New York Times - Sports

"Where he is, is a question mark".

The New York Times

Collins, awful as he is, is actually her social equal.

The New Yorker

Amr Moussa — he is is "dignified" and "well-liked".

The New Yorker

He is is expected to make a full recovery.

The New York Times

All he is is a pig farmer,' " Hinkelman said.

The New York Times - Sports

This man, whoever he is, is a genius".

The New Yorker

Who he is is right there on the page.

The New Yorker

And Mr Ai, whatever else he is, is certainly a maker of bold statements.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "he is is" sparingly. While grammatically correct, overuse can sound awkward. Consider alternative phrasings to maintain clarity and style.

Common error

Avoid using "he is is" when a simpler "he is" suffices. Redundancy can weaken your writing. Ensure the repetition adds emphasis, not just unnecessary words.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "he is is" serves as a statement of being, often used for emphasis or to highlight a current state. As Ludwig AI states, while grammatically acceptable, it can sound repetitive and might be replaced by phrases with a stronger meaning.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

17%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "he is is" is grammatically correct but can sound awkward if overused. Ludwig AI confirms that it can function to emphasize a current condition or state. While common in news and media, more concise alternatives are often preferable for clarity. Be mindful of redundancy and consider using stronger adverbs to convey the intended meaning effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

He currently is

Emphasizes the present state, adding a temporal adverb.

He genuinely is

Highlights sincerity, adding an adverb to stress truthfulness.

He truly is

Emphasizes the authenticity of the statement.

He really is

Adds emphasis, suggesting a surprising or emphatic confirmation.

He indeed is

Formal affirmation, reinforcing the statement with a stronger term.

He actually is

Suggests something is true contrary to expectation.

He happens to be

Indicates chance or unexpected occurrence.

He certainly is

Conveys confidence and assurance.

He unequivocally is

Emphasizes that there is no doubt.

He undeniably is

Stresses the irrefutable nature of the statement.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "he is is" in a sentence?

The phrase "he is is" is grammatically correct and can be used to emphasize a current state or condition. However, it can often sound awkward, so use it sparingly for effect. Consider alternatives like "he currently is" or "he really is".

Are there situations where "he is is" is considered incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, using "he is is" when a simple "he is" would suffice can be seen as redundant and poor style. Avoid using it if it doesn't add emphasis or clarity. Choose alternatives to make your sentence more concise.

What are some alternatives to using "he is is" for emphasis?

To emphasize a state, consider using adverbs like "really", "truly", or "genuinely". For example, instead of "he is is honest", you could say "he is truly honest" or "he is really honest".

How can I avoid sounding repetitive when using "he is is"?

Vary your sentence structure and word choice. If you find yourself using "he is is" frequently, try rephrasing to use different verbs or constructions. For example, instead of saying "he is is a doctor", try "he works as a doctor" or "he is currently a doctor".