Is Also vs. Also Is – Which is Correct?
“Is also” is the grammatically standard and most common phrasing in English, correctly placing the adverb “also” after the verb “to be.” While “also is” can appear in highly specific, often inverted or emphatic sentence structures, it is generally considered awkward or incorrect in typical declarative sentences. Prioritize “is also” for clear, natural communication.
Is Also or Also Is – Which is Correct?
The core difference between “is also” and “also is” lies in the standard placement of the adverb “also” relative to the verb “is.” In conventional English grammar, adverbs of frequency or addition like “also” typically follow forms of the verb “to be” when “to be” functions as the main verb in a sentence. Consequently, “is also” is the natural, grammatically preferred, and overwhelmingly common word order.
“Also is,” conversely, reverses this standard order. This creates a construction that is generally awkward or incorrect in most common declarative sentences. While it can appear in very specific contexts—such as highly formal or literary inversions, or for particular emphatic effects—these instances are rare and deviate from everyday usage. For most communicative purposes, adhering to “is also” ensures clarity and grammatical correctness.
The Best Trick to Remember the Difference
To easily remember the correct order, use the “Adverb After ‘To Be'” Rule:
- Remember that adverbs like “also” generally come after forms of the verb “to be” (am, is, are, was, were) when “to be” is the main verb in a sentence. Think of the structure: Subject + is + also + [complement/adjective/etc.].
- If you are unsure, try to construct a simple sentence. “She is also happy.” sounds natural. “She also is happy.” sounds unnatural. If the phrase “is also” fits smoothly into your sentence and sounds correct, it is almost certainly the right choice.
| Word | Part of Speech | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Is Also | Verb (is) + Adverb (also) | Expresses addition or similarity; indicates something else is true or applies. | She is also a talented artist. |
| Also Is | Adverb (also) + Verb (is) | Grammatically awkward in most common contexts; can imply addition, emphasis, or inversion in rare, formal structures. | Rarely used: What he also is, is an incredibly dedicated mentor. |
How to Use Is Also
“Is also” is the conventional and grammatically correct way to express that something or someone possesses an additional quality, characteristic, or status. The adverb “also” modifies the verb “is” (or the entire predicate), signifying inclusion or similarity. This phrasing is natural, fluid, and widely accepted across all registers of English, from casual conversation to highly formal academic writing. It perfectly adheres to standard English adverbial placement rules, ensuring clear and unambiguous communication. Using “is also” maintains proper subject-verb agreement and is the default choice for expressing additional information.
Example 1: “The new software update is also compatible with older devices, which is a great bonus for users.”
Example 2: “My brother is also a keen hiker, so we often plan weekend excursions together.”
Example 3: “She is also fluent in French, which significantly aids her in her international negotiations.”
Etymology of the word Is Also
The phrase “is also” is composed of two distinct words with separate etymologies. The word “is” is a fundamental English verb, deriving from Old English “is,” which traces back to Proto-Germanic “*ist” and ultimately to Proto-Indo-European “*h₁ésti.” It functions as a copular verb, linking the subject to a predicate. The word “also” originates from Old English “eallswā,” a compound of “eall” (meaning “all”) and “swā” (meaning “so”). Initially meaning “all so” or “quite so,” its meaning evolved over time to signify “in the same way” or “in addition.” The grammatical rule dictating its placement after forms of “to be” developed as English syntax matured.
How to Use Also Is
While “also is” is generally considered awkward or incorrect in standard English declarative sentences, it can be found in very specific, often more formal, literary, or emphatic constructions. These instances usually involve subject-verb inversion for rhetorical effect, or a particular kind of cleft sentence designed to highlight a specific piece of information. For example, in a highly formal context, one might encounter phrases like “Also is noteworthy the consistent progress…” where “also” initiates the sentence and “is” serves as the main verb in an inverted structure. However, for everyday communication, this word order is highly unnatural and should generally be avoided to prevent confusion or grammatical error. Its use is almost always a stylistic choice rather than a standard grammatical requirement.
Example 1: “What he also is, is an incredibly dedicated mentor to his team, beyond his technical skills.” (Emphatic cleft sentence)
Example 2: “Also is important the consideration of ethical implications in the development of artificial intelligence.” (Formal, inverted structure, though “Also important is…” is more common)
Example 3: “The problem with the old system, which also is a concern for many stakeholders, is its lack of scalability.” (Less common, often rephrased for clarity)
Etymology of the word Also Is
As with “is also,” the phrase “also is” combines the adverb “also” and the verb “is.” “Also” has its roots in Old English “eallswā,” meaning “all so,” evolving to denote “in addition” or “likewise.” “Is” stems from Old English “is,” a fundamental and ancient verb. The specific arrangement “also is” does not possess a distinct etymology as a fixed phrase. Instead, its rare occurrences in English represent a particular, and typically non-standard, syntactic ordering of these two common words. Any historical usage reflects specific stylistic or rhetorical choices within English grammar rather than an independent lexical development.
Related Concepts
Understanding broader grammatical concepts can illuminate why “is also” is preferred and “also is” is typically avoided in most English constructions.
- Adverb Placement: This fundamental grammatical rule dictates where adverbs should be positioned within a sentence to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. Adverbs of frequency or addition, such as “also,” generally follow auxiliary verbs or forms of “to be” but precede main verbs.
- Subject-Verb Inversion: A grammatical construction where the typical subject-verb order is reversed. This is often done for emphasis, rhetorical effect, or in certain question forms. “Also is” sometimes appears in these inverted structures, but they are distinct from standard declarative sentences.
Examples from Media and Literature
These examples demonstrate the correct and natural usage of “is also” in various contexts.
- “The new prime minister is also a skilled orator, capable of captivating large audiences.” (News analysis)
- “Beyond her scientific achievements, Marie Curie is also remembered for her unwavering perseverance.” (Historical text)
- “The restaurant’s signature dish is also available in a vegetarian option, catering to diverse dietary needs.” (Food review)
- “In the novel, the protagonist’s journey is also a metaphor for the human condition.” (Literary criticism)
- “Our company’s commitment to innovation is also reflected in our employee training programs.” (Business report)
Practice Exercises
Choose the correct word to complete the sentence.
- My sister ______ a talented musician and plays several instruments. (is also / also is)
- The new policy ______ quite complex and requires careful review by all departments. (is also / also is)
- She enjoys reading and ______ a passionate advocate for literacy in her community. (is also / also is)
- He ______ known for his sense of humor, making everyone around him feel at ease. (is also / also is)
- The weather forecast predicts heavy rain, and it ______ expected to be quite windy throughout the day. (is also / also is)
Answer Key
- is also
- is also
- is also
- is also
- is also
Is Also Synonyms
When you want to convey a similar meaning to “also” in the context of “is also,” several synonyms can be used, depending on the desired emphasis and formality.
| Synonym | Definition |
|---|---|
| Additionally | In addition; as an additional item or fact. |
| Furthermore | In addition to what has been said; moreover. |
| Moreover | As an additional fact; besides. |
| Too | In addition; also. (Often placed at the end of a clause or sentence). |
| As well | In addition; besides. (Often placed at the end of a clause or sentence). |
Frequently Asked Questions
Question 1: Is “also” always placed after “is”?
In most standard declarative sentences where “is” functions as the main verb, “also” is indeed placed after “is” (e.g., “She is also fluent in Spanish”). This is the grammatically correct and most natural word order in typical usage.
Question 2: Can “also is” ever be correct?
“Also is” can be grammatically correct in very specific, often formal or literary constructions, typically involving subject-verb inversion for emphasis or rhetorical effect (e.g., “Also noteworthy is the project’s success”). However, for everyday communication, it is generally considered awkward or incorrect and should be avoided.
Question 3: What’s the difference between “is also” and “is too”?
Both “is also” and “is too” express addition or similarity. “Is also” is more flexible in sentence position and can be used mid-sentence (e.g., “He is also a writer”). “Too” usually comes at the end of a clause or sentence (e.g., “He is a writer, too”). “Also” is generally preferred in formal writing, while “too” is more common in informal contexts.
Conclusion
The key distinction between “is also” and “also is” lies fundamentally in standard English adverb placement. “Is also” consistently represents the grammatically preferred and natural word order in the vast majority of sentences, correctly positioning the adverb “also” after the verb “to be.” While “also is” can appear in rare, often inverted or emphatic constructions, it is largely considered unnatural or incorrect for typical usage. For clear, natural, and professional communication, consistently use “is also” when indicating an additional quality or characteristic. Adhering to these standard adverb placement rules not only enhances clarity but also strengthens your linguistic credibility.
