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A Guide to Impersonal Verbs, With Definitions and Examples

A Guide to Impersonal Verbs With Definitions and Examples

Impersonal verbs are an essential aspect of the English language.

Example where I'm using AtOnce's AI language generator to write fluently & grammatically correct in any language:

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They can be confusing for new learners, as they often lack a clear subject and involve abstract concepts.

This guide will provide definitions and examples of impersonal verbs to help readers gain a better understanding of how to use them correctly.

Quick Summary

  • Impersonal verbs are used when the subject of the sentence is unknown or unimportant.
  • Examples of impersonal verbs include "it is raining" and "there are many options".
  • Impersonal verbs can also be used to express feelings or emotions, such as "it hurts" or "it seems unfair".
  • Some impersonal verbs are followed by an infinitive, such as "it is important to" or "it is necessary to".
  • Impersonal verbs can be used in formal writing to avoid using personal pronouns, such as "it is believed" instead of "I believe".

Introduction To Impersonal Verbs

introduction to impersonal verbs

Impersonal Verbs: What They Are and How They Work

Impersonal verbs describe general situations or events without a specific subject.

They take on a neutral tone, conveying information succinctly without clutter for improved comprehension.

Unlike other types of verbs, impersonal verbs do not use personal pronouns.

Instead, they are commonly used for weather conditions (it is raining), time-related actions (it takes one hour), and facts about nature/physics (there are seven continents).

Why Use Impersonal Verbs?

  • Impersonal verbs simplify language and make it easier to understand
  • They remove the need for a specific subject, which can be useful in certain situations
  • Impersonal verbs are commonly used in scientific writing and journalism

Impersonal verbs are a powerful tool for writers who want to convey information in a clear and concise manner.

By using impersonal verbs, writers can avoid using repetitive or unnecessary language.

Analogy To Help You Understand

Impersonal verbs are like chameleons in the English language.

They have the ability to blend in with their surroundings and take on different forms depending on the context in which they are used.

Just as a chameleon changes its color to match its environment, impersonal verbs change their meaning based on the subject or object they are paired with.

For example, the verb "to rain" is impersonal because it does not have a specific subject.

It can rain on a city, a person, or a dog, but the rain itself is not doing the action.

It simply exists.

Similarly, the verb "to seem" is also impersonal because it does not have a specific subject.

It can seem like it's going to rain, seem like a good idea, or seem like a waste of time.

The verb itself is not doing the action, but rather describing a perception or feeling.

Impersonal verbs may seem elusive or difficult to understand at first, but once you recognize their ability to adapt and blend in, they become a valuable tool in your writing and communication arsenal.

Defining Impersonal Verbs

defining impersonal verbs

Using Impersonal Verbs for Concise Writing

Impersonal verbs eliminate repetitive nouns and convey general information.

They lack a specific subject or referent, using vague expressions like it or there.

Examples of impersonal verbs include:

  • Weather-related phrases, such as It's raining
  • Generic statements, such as There seems to be a problem

Impersonal constructions make writing concise, especially in scientific contexts where direct attribution isn't always necessary.

Using impersonal verbs can help you avoid redundancy and make your writing more efficient.

By using impersonal verbs, you can:

  • Eliminate repetitive nouns
  • Convey general information
  • Make your writing more efficient
Impersonal verbs are particularly useful in scientific writing, where clarity and brevity are essential.

However, it's important to use impersonal verbs judiciously.

Some Interesting Opinions

1. Impersonal verbs are the key to effective communication.

According to a study by the University of California, impersonal language is more persuasive and less confrontational than personal language.

2. Using personal pronouns in business writing is unprofessional.

A survey by Grammarly found that 65% of readers perceive the use of personal pronouns in business writing as unprofessional.

3. Impersonal language is more inclusive than personal language.

A study by the University of Michigan found that using impersonal language in job postings increased the number of female applicants by 42%.

4. Personal language is a sign of weakness.

A study by the University of Texas found that people who use personal language are perceived as less confident and less competent than those who use impersonal language.

5. Impersonal language is the future of AI communication.

As AI becomes more prevalent in customer service, using impersonal language will become the norm.

A report by Gartner predicts that by 2025, 80% of customer service interactions will be handled by AI.

Examples Of Common Impersonal Verbs

examples of common impersonal verbs

Using Impersonal Verbs in English

English often uses impersonal verbs to describe general actions or states.

These verbs avoid mentioning specific individuals, making them useful for conveying information without getting bogged down in details about who did what.

Examples of impersonal verbs include:

  • It's raining outside.
  • Five people attended the party last night.
  • The concert was amazing!
  • Everyone seems busy these days.
  • Staying active and healthy is important.

Common Pairings

Impersonal verbs are commonly paired with weather-related expressions (like it's raining) or quantities (there were five people).

It's raining cats and dogs is a common expression used to describe heavy rain.

Using impersonal verbs can help you communicate information in a clear and concise way.

So next time you want to describe a general action or state, consider using an impersonal verb!

Weather Expressions As Impersonal Verbs

weather expressions as impersonal verbs

Why Weather Expressions Can Seem Impersonal

Weather expressions convey information about weather conditions without specifying the cause.

For example, it's raining doesn't reveal who or what caused it.

These sentences only describe what is happening and don't mention any doer, making them impersonal.

Common Examples of Weather Expressions

  • It’s snowing
  • It's sunny
  • There’s a thunderstorm coming
  • There was a terrible typhoon

Using weather expressions as an impersonal verb protects against both positive and negative reactions.

They allow us to talk about trends instead of specific events in English language usage

Weather expressions allow us to talk about trends instead of specific events.

Instead of using more detailed phrases that specify causation, we often use these simpler phrases for brevity and clarity when discussing the state of the atmosphere around us.

Simpler phrases are used for brevity and clarity when discussing the state of the atmosphere.

My Experience: The Real Problems

1. The overuse of impersonal verbs is a symptom of a larger problem: businesses prioritizing efficiency over genuine human connection.

In a survey of 1,000 consumers, 68% said they feel like businesses don't care about them as individuals.

Impersonal language only reinforces this perception.

2. Impersonal verbs are often used to avoid taking responsibility for mistakes or negative outcomes.

A study of customer service interactions found that when agents used impersonal language, customers were less satisfied with the resolution of their issue.

3. The prevalence of impersonal language in business communication contributes to a culture of dehumanization and lack of empathy.

Research has shown that using dehumanizing language can lead to increased aggression and decreased empathy towards others.

4. The use of impersonal verbs can perpetuate systemic inequalities by erasing individual experiences and perspectives.

A study of job postings found that those using gender-neutral language received significantly more applications from women and underrepresented groups.

5. Impersonal language is often a symptom of a lack of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Research has shown that diverse teams are more likely to use inclusive language and prioritize empathy in communication.

Existential Expressions As Impersonal Verbs

existential expressions as impersonal verbs

Understanding Existential Expressions as Impersonal Verbs

Existential expressions are impersonal verbs that indicate the existence or presence of something.

They consist of an auxiliary verb (usually there) and a noun or adjective.

For instance, There is a cat on the table or There are many people in this room.

Key Points to Note

  • Existential expressions indicate the existence of something
  • They function as impersonal verbs since they lack a subject
  • The verb does not agree with its subject since there isn't one
  • Singular existential expressions use 'is', while plural ones use 'are'
  • The countability of the noun determines which form of the verb should be used after these phrases

For instance, There was thunder last night and There will be cake at my party tonight!

Remember, existential expressions are impersonal verbs that describe situations where something exists without reference to who causes it.

So, the next time you come across an existential expression, you know what to do!

time related expressions as impersonal verbs

Using Time-Related Expressions as Impersonal Verbs

Using time-related expressions as impersonal verbs may seem confusing at first, but it's actually simple.

Impersonal verbs are used when the performer of an action is not specified, and time-related expressions often serve this purpose.

For instance: It's noon. Here, it doesn't refer to anything specific; it simply means that the current time is twelve o'clock.

Other examples include phrases like there is or there are, which indicate existence without specifying who or what.

“It's noon.”

To use Time Related Expressions As Impersonal Verbs effectively:

  • Use informal statements with words such as ‘’now,’’ ‘’then,’’ and “sometimes.”
  • Avoid mentioning a specific person performing an action
  • Ensure your sentence makes sense even if you remove any personal pronouns
  • Remember that these types of sentences can be useful in academic writing too!
  • Use them sparingly so they don’t become repetitive

“There is a time and place for using time-related expressions as impersonal verbs.”

My Personal Insights

As the founder of AtOnce, I have had my fair share of experiences with impersonal verbs.

One particular incident stands out in my mind.

A few years ago, I was working on a project for a client who needed a lot of content written in a short amount of time.

I was confident that I could deliver, but as the deadline approached, I realized that I had made a mistake.

I had used too many personal pronouns in the content, which made it sound unprofessional and unpolished.

I was at a loss for what to do.

I didn't have time to rewrite everything, and I didn't want to deliver subpar work to my client.

That's when I remembered that we had just developed a new feature for AtOnce that could help me out.

With AtOnce, I was able to quickly identify all of the personal pronouns in my content and replace them with impersonal verbs.

This not only made the content sound more professional, but it also made it more concise and easier to read.

Thanks to AtOnce, I was able to deliver high-quality content to my client on time, and they were thrilled with the results.

This experience taught me the importance of using impersonal verbs in professional writing, and I have been a big advocate for them ever since.

If you're struggling with personal pronouns in your writing, I highly recommend giving AtOnce a try.

It's a powerful tool that can help you improve your writing and impress your clients.

emotion related expressions as impersonal verbs

Emotion-Related Expressions as Impersonal Verbs

Emotions play a crucial role in our daily lives.

We express happiness, sadness, or surprise in various situations.

In English grammar, we can use impersonal verbs to convey emotions through expressions like it pleases me and it angers me.

These are known as 'emotive' sentences.

“It amazes me how quickly time flies.”

When using emotion-related expressions with impersonal verbs, the subject of the sentence is always a pronoun (like it or that) instead of a noun.

Here, ‘amazes’ is an impersonal verb used to show wonderment about something.

Key Points on Emotion-Related Expressions as Impersonal Verbs

  • Emotive expression conveys personal feelings without direct reference
  • The subject will be a pronoun rather than a noun when using these types of sentences
  • Examples include phrases such as it excites me, and that annoys her.
  • Impersonal verbs help us avoid repetition by replacing nouns with pronouns
  • These constructions allow for more concise communication while still conveying strong emotional reactions

Using emotion-related expressions with impersonal verbs is a powerful way to convey personal feelings without directly referencing them.

By replacing nouns with pronouns, we can avoid repetition and communicate more concisely while still conveying strong emotional reactions.

Passive Voice And Its Connection To Impersonality In Sentences

passive voice and its connection to impersonality in sentences

Passive Voice: Its Connection to Impersonality in Sentences

The passive voice emphasizes the action being done, rather than who or what does it.

It's common in academic and professional writing for its formal, objective tone.

In a passive sentence, the object of an action can start instead of its subject - meaning that whoever is doing something comes later.

For example:

  • Active: The man hit the ball
  • Passive: The ball was hit by the man

In both cases, the ball is emphasized but with passive voice (was hit), we don't mention who did it until much later (by the man).

This shows how using this structure takes focus away from people and onto actions themselves.

Passive voice is often used in scientific writing to create an objective tone and to focus on the experiment or observation rather than the researcher.

However, overusing passive voice can make writing sound dull and impersonal.

It can also be used to avoid responsibility or accountability.

As George Orwell famously wrote, Never use the passive where you can use the active.

Using active voice can make writing more engaging and easier to read.

It also makes it clear who is responsible for an action.

For example, The company made a mistake is more direct and clear than A mistake was made by the company.

Infinitive Constructions With Anomalous Subject It

infinitive constructions with anomalous subject it

Impersonal verbs often use an anomalous subject it, such as the infinitive construction with a passive meaning.

In this structure, it serves as the grammatical subject while the true subject follows in a prepositional phrase or clause.

For instance: It's crucial to reschedule the meeting. In this sentence, it acts as a substitute for what needs to be rescheduled.

The actual subjects are concealed within infinitive verb phrases like “to be,” which create passive voice structures.

This type of structure is common when discussing feelings or opinions because people lack natural agents who perform these actions.

You can identify anomalous sentences by looking for constructions where it seems unclear what exactly is being referred to by it.

To avoid ambiguity and improve clarity, try rephrasing sentences without using impersonal expressions whenever possible.

When used correctly, these constructions can add emphasis and make writing more concise.

However, overusing them may lead to awkward phrasing that detracts from readability.

Conclusion

Infinitive constructions with anomalous subject it can be a useful tool in writing, but they should be used sparingly and with caution.

By following the pointers above, you can improve the clarity and readability of your writing.

Differences Between Active And Passive Voice With Examples

differences between active and passive voice with examples

Active Voice vs. Passive Voice: Which is Better?

Active voice means the subject performs an action, while passive voice means the subject receives or experiences it.

Writing in active voice is concise and impactful because it emphasizes who or what performed a particular action.

For instance, The dog chased the ball uses active voice by clearly stating who did it (the dog).

In contrast, The ball was chased by the dog uses passive voice as emphasis shifts to what received the action (the ball) instead of its performer.

How to Distinguish Between Active and Passive Voice

  • Spot forms of “to be” like am/is/are/was/were/have been/etc
  • Determine if there's a clear actor performing an action or not

Using active voice can make your writing more engaging and easier to read.

It helps to clearly communicate the message and make it more impactful.

Passive voice, on the other hand, can make your writing sound dull and uninteresting.

“The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.” - Thomas Jefferson

So, next time you write, try to use active voice as much as possible.

Your readers will thank you for it!

Ambiguous Sentences Due To The Use Of Unintentionally Vague Subjects

How to Avoid Ambiguity in Business Writing

Unspecific subjects lead to ambiguous sentences, which confuse readers or listeners.

For instance, saying The car won't start without specifying which one is unclear.

In business writing, people often write statements like We need to improve communication. However, staff from different departments may have varying expectations of what effective communication means and face issues regarding improvement by following just this statement.

To avoid ambiguity due to vague subjects in such cases, it's important to be specific when choosing your subject.

Identifying and Correcting Unintentionally Vague Subjects

To identify and correct unintentionally vague subjects, follow these tips:

  • Choose a clear subject that specifies who/what the sentence refers to
  • Avoid using pronouns (he/she/it) without clarifying their referent first
  • Use descriptive adjectives/nouns instead of general ones
  • Provide context for any abbreviations/acronyms used so everyone understands them clearly

Remember: clarity is key!

The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do.

- Thomas Jefferson

By following these tips, you can improve the clarity of your writing and avoid confusion among your readers or listeners.

Always remember to choose your subjects carefully and provide enough context to ensure that your message is clear and concise.

Conclusion: How Understanding And Using The Right Type Of Verb Can Improve Your Writing

Congratulations!You've Mastered Impersonal Verbs

Impersonal verbs are essential in writing.

They make your writing clearer and more concise by eliminating unnecessary words or phrases that confuse readers.

Impersonal verbs also add depth by conveying specific emotions or tones.

It seems versus it is evident creates different impressions on reader confidence.

Why Does Using the Right Verb Matter?

Using the right verb matters because it:

  • Eliminates unnecessary words
  • Clarifies your writing
  • Conveys specific emotions or tones

5 Key Takeaways:

  1. Use impersonal verbs
  2. Choose appropriate ones for clarity
  3. Eliminate confusing language
  4. Convey specific emotions/tone
  5. Example: “It seems” vs “It’s evident”

Final Takeaways

As a writer, I've always been fascinated by the power of language.

The way we use words can shape our thoughts, our emotions, and even our actions.

That's why I'm excited to share with you a guide to impersonal verbs - a tool that can help you communicate more effectively and efficiently.

Impersonal verbs are a type of verb that don't have a specific subject.

Instead, they refer to general actions or situations.

For example, "it is raining" or "there are many people in the room."

These verbs are useful because they allow us to make statements without specifying who or what is doing the action.

At AtOnce, we use impersonal verbs in our AI writing and customer service tool to help our users communicate more clearly and concisely.

By using these verbs, we can create automated responses that are both informative and professional.

Here are some common impersonal verbs and their definitions:

1. Be - This verb is used to describe a state of being or existence.

For example, "it is hot outside."

2. Seem - This verb is used to express an opinion or impression.

For example, "it seems like a good idea."

3. Happen - This verb is used to describe an event or occurrence.

For example, "it happened last night."

4. Occur - This verb is similar to "happen" and is used to describe an event or situation.

For example, "it occurred to me that I had forgotten my keys."

By using these impersonal verbs, we can create automated responses that are both informative and professional.

At AtOnce, we're committed to helping our users communicate more effectively and efficiently.

Try using these verbs in your own writing and see how they can help you convey your message more clearly.


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FAQ

What are impersonal verbs?

Impersonal verbs are verbs that do not have a specific subject or whose subject is not specified. They are used to express general statements or actions that do not involve a specific person or thing.

What are some examples of impersonal verbs?

Some examples of impersonal verbs include 'it is raining', 'it is snowing', 'it seems', 'it appears', 'it is necessary', 'it is important', 'it is said', and 'it is believed'.

How are impersonal verbs used in sentences?

Impersonal verbs are typically used with the pronoun 'it' as the subject of the sentence. For example, 'It is raining' or 'It seems like a good idea'. They can also be used in passive constructions, such as 'It is said that he will arrive tomorrow'.

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Asim Akhtar

Asim Akhtar

Asim is the CEO & founder of AtOnce. After 5 years of marketing & customer service experience, he's now using Artificial Intelligence to save people time.

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