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Topic : What are alternatives to "is that" as in "[something] is that [something]"? I am writing a thesis and I frequently find my self using the phrase 'is that'. For example: "The other feature that - selfpublishingguru.com

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I am writing a thesis and I frequently find my self using the phrase 'is that'.

For example: "The other feature that has been neglected is that the expert system would ..."

I have been told that this is ugly.

What are some alternatives?


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It might help if you try always to look for an active verb, and an active way of phrasing your statements. "Be" verbs (is, are) lie flat and motionless.

"The problem with this approach is that...." is a weak way to start identifying a problem. Instead, try an active verb -- don't just say 'this is a problem" but "this thing does something (which is obviously a problem)."

"The approach (fails, misses, lacks, hurts, ignores, minimizes)" and so on.

As mentioned by others, also, the use of "is that" is awkward (ungrammatical?) in your example.

"The other feature that has been neglected is [X feature]..."

NOT

"The other feature that has been neglected is that [there is a feature named X]

In other words, basic recasting of your sentences can eliminate "is that" in most cases.


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The list is nearly endless:

The expert system farkling the foo is another feature which has been neglected.

Also a neglected feature, the expert system will farkle the foo.

An additional neglected feature of the expert system is farkling the foo.

Farkling the foo is the other feature of the expert system which has been neglected.

Farkling the foo is the other neglected feature of the expert system.


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A few options:

Additionally, the expert system would...
The other neglected feature is the expert system would...
The expert system would .... this compounds the x.


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