X（倒）是X（了），…… for “It’s X All Right, But …”
Admit a point and then turn it around by repeating a word around 是, as in 好看倒是好看，就是太贵了.
Patrón
X + (倒) 是 + X (+ 了)，就是 / 可是 / 不过 / 但是 + other side
Say a word, then 是, then the same word again to agree that it is true, and follow with a clause that turns: the real point comes after 就是, 可是 or 不过.
这件衣服好看倒是好看，就是太贵了。
When to use X（倒）是X（了），…… for “It’s X All Right, But …”
Repeat an adjective or verb on both sides of 是: X是X. This admits that X is true, and the next clause brings in the other side: 这件衣服好看倒是好看，就是太贵了 “This dress is pretty all right, it’s just too expensive.” The second clause starts with a turning word such as 就是, 可是, 不过 or 但是, and it carries the speaker’s real point. 倒 before 是 adds “admittedly” and makes the admission sound fair and polite; it is optional. For an action that has already happened, put 了 after the second X: 写是写了 “I did write it.”
作业我写是写了，可是还没检查。
I did write my homework, but I haven’t checked it yet.
这个房间大是大，不过离学校有点远。
This room is big all right, but it’s a bit far from school.
他去倒是去了，可是没见到王老师。
He did go, but he didn’t get to see Mr Wang.
这道题难倒是不难，就是有点麻烦。
This problem isn’t hard as such, it’s just a bit fiddly.
Errores frecuentes
- Repeat exactly the same word: 好是好 or 大是大, not 好是很好.
- Don’t stop after the first clause: the turn with 就是, 可是, 不过 or 但是 is the point of the sentence.
- For a finished action put 了 after the second word: 写是写了, not 写了是写.
Ejercicio dirigido
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