Impersonal Constructions
What Is It?
Impersonal Constructions refers to structures that avoid naming a specific person as subject.
B1-B2 reference topic in Sentence Structure.
Why Use It?
- Sound objective or formal.
- Discuss general opinions, rules, and facts.
- Use it and there structures accurately.
Formation and Patterns
| Use | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| It + adjective | It is + adjective + to + V | It is useful to practise daily. |
| It + passive | It is said/believed that + clause | It is believed that practice helps. |
| There + be | There is/are + noun | There are several options. |
Common Mistakes
- Using there when it is needed: "Is important" instead of "It is important."
- Confusing there is with it is.
- Overusing impersonal forms when a direct subject is clearer.
Exceptions & Nuances
- Formal impersonal passives can sound distant; use them when the source is unknown or unimportant.