"is" instead of "it's" in a poem

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FranzZ
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"is" instead of "it's" in a poem

Post by FranzZ »

Hi!

I am writing a poem and want to write something like:

"It's your smile that brings hope"

But for me, it sounds better to supress the "t" and just say:

"Is your smile that brings hope"

Is that possible or does it sound stupid to a native speaker?
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Josef Essberger
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Re: "is" instead of "it's" in a poem

Post by Josef Essberger »

Sounds a bit strange but it might depend on the preceding line.

Another option is:

'Tis your smile that brings hope

However, 'tis is somewhat dated, archaic even. Of course it stands for "it is".
English Prepositions List by Josef Essberger
Extremely useful ebook full of examples and visual aids to learn prepositions :ok: Inés Barbero
FranzZ
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Re: "is" instead of "it's" in a poem

Post by FranzZ »

The first part of the poem will be a list of phrases like that, all beginning with

"Is your"..

All describing what I think of one person.

And the "t" in it make all the prases sound like spitting in my ears and, just from the point of pronunciation, uncomfortable to me.

"Tis" wouldn't make it better, unfortunately.

Does it sound strange but you understand it or does it sound studip as a typical mistake a foreigner would do?

It would benefit if it just sounds strange, lets say like a really drunken man would say to a woman in an old dark and dirty harbor pub..

Thank you so much for reply!
Last edited by FranzZ on Sat Oct 07, 2023 11:18 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Josef Essberger
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Re: "is" instead of "it's" in a poem

Post by Josef Essberger »

Should be ok as you describe:

Is your smile that brings hope
English Prepositions List by Josef Essberger
Extremely useful ebook full of examples and visual aids to learn prepositions :ok: Inés Barbero
FranzZ
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Joined: Sat Oct 07, 2023 10:10 am
Status: Learner of English
Location: Germany

Re: "is" instead of "it's" in a poem

Post by FranzZ »

Great, thank very much!
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