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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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it is then why

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is then why" is not correct and does not make sense in written English.
It seems to be an attempt to connect a statement with a reason, but it lacks clarity and proper structure. Example: "If it is true, then why did it happen?"

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But if it is, then why not torture too?

If suicide is a symptom of depression (it is), then why do more women suffer depression than men?

News & Media

The Guardian

If it's bad for Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam to finance the LSE – which it is – then why is it all right for Libya's corporate partner, BP, to partner the British Museum too?

If it is, then why is the head chopped off?

News & Media

Los Angeles Times

If it is then why not start with 5 minutes and see how it goes.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

And if it was, then: why?

News & Media

Vice

If you don't believe, if you're just peddling snake oil as it were, then why should they believe you?

The question is then, why?

Science

Plosone

It is then clear why the use of currents with finite mass becomes unavoidable even to give the basic definitions.

So if it's not the easy A I thought it was going to be, then why do I love it so much?

News & Media

Huffington Post

And if there was, then why did it die out?

News & Media

The Guardian
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the phrase "it is then why" in formal writing. Instead, opt for clearer and grammatically correct alternatives such as "that is why" or "this is the reason why".

Common error

The incorrect use of "it is then why" often stems from a misunderstanding of how to properly connect ideas. Ensure that you're using conjunctions and adverbs in their correct positions to maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy. For example, prefer "That is why it happened" instead of the ambiguous phrase.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is then why" functions as an attempt to link a statement with its justification, however, it does so in an ungrammatical manner. Ludwig AI identifies the phrase as incorrect, suggesting a need for restructuring to convey the intended meaning effectively.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Wiki

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it is then why" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided in formal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase often intends to connect a statement with its reason but does so improperly. Although it appears across various sources, including news and wikis, clearer alternatives like "that is why" or "this is the reason why" are preferable. To maintain clarity and grammatical accuracy, restructure your sentences to use correct conjunctions and adverbs.

FAQs

How can I correct the phrase "it is then why" in a sentence?

Replace "it is then why" with clearer alternatives such as "that is why", "this is why", or "the reason is" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity.

What are some formal alternatives to "it is then why"?

In formal writing, consider using phrases like "therefore", "consequently", or "as a result" instead of "it is then why" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "it is then why" grammatically correct?

No, "it is then why" is not grammatically correct. It's better to restructure your sentence to use phrases like "that is why" or "this is because" to convey the intended meaning.

In what contexts is "it is then why" most likely to be used?

While "it is then why" may appear in informal contexts, it's generally advisable to avoid it in formal or professional writing. Opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives, regardless of the context.

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Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

2.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: