Avoid phrases beginning with “it is.”

It is important to a  Avoid throat-clearing phrases that begin with it is, such as it is clear that or it is possible that. Nine times out of ten, you can delete the phrase without sacrificing meaning.

If the phrase does add some nuance, rewrite the phrase with an adverb.  For example, It is apparent that the company lost the documents should be rewritten as The company apparently lost the documents.  (Yes, I know. I’m violating my own rule about avoiding adverbs. But apparently adds a nuance here that is worth keeping. Apparently means that you didn’t see the company lose the documents, but the company no longer has the documents, so you have brilliantly concluded that they just might be lost.)

Here are some common it is phrases that deserve the ax or corrective surgery:

• It is clear that (If it is so clear, then why must you point it out?)
• It is logical that  (You should not need to point out the logic in your argument. The logic should sing through on its own.)
• It is likely that (Just move likely into the sentence, as in The court will likely hold . . . .)
• It may be that (Oh dear. Just say possibly.)
• It is apparent that (Try apparently.)
• It is probable that (Just use may as the main verb in the sentence, as in The company may make an offer.)
• It is imperative to note that ( EEEEEK!)
• It goes without saying that (Then why are you saying it?)
• It is axiomatic that (Translation: It is axiomatic that this sentence was not written by a thinking, feeling human being.)
• It follows that (This phrase suggests that it probably doesn’t follow at all.)

In all my years driving a purple pen, I’ve seen only a few (as in two) it is phrases that are worth keeping. I like it is well established that and it is black letter law that. These phrases convey the weight of the authority and add substance to the sentence, so they earn their weight on the page.

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