In everyday language, people often use expressions that sound neutral, objective, or disconnected from any specific person or subject. These are known as impersonal words or impersonal expressions. Unlike personal statements that directly mention someone or something as the doer of an action, impersonal words remove the focus from a person and instead emphasize a condition, situation, or general truth. Understanding impersonal words is essential in both formal and informal communication, as they help create tone, structure, and clarity. In this topic, we’ll explore what impersonal words are, how they function in a sentence, and examples that clarify their use in real-life situations.
Understanding Impersonal Language
What Are Impersonal Words?
Impersonal words are terms or expressions that do not refer to a specific individual. Instead of saying ‘I believe,’ an impersonal form would be ‘It is believed.’ This style is especially common in formal writing, academic essays, news reporting, and official documentation. The goal is to express ideas in a detached and neutral tone.
Common Characteristics of Impersonal Words
Some key traits that make words impersonal include:
- Absence of a personal subject (like I, you, or we)
- Use of passive voice
- Use of general statements or facts
- Reliance on structures like it is said, there is, or one should
Examples of Impersonal Expressions
Using It as an Impersonal Subject
One of the most common ways to make a sentence impersonal is to start with ‘it.’ This method is often used when talking about time, weather, distance, or when introducing a general opinion or fact.
- It is raining.
- It seems that the policy has changed.
- It is difficult to understand the concept.
In each of these sentences, it does not refer to a specific person or object. Instead, it serves as a grammatical placeholder.
Passive Voice for Impersonal Style
The passive voice is often used to make statements sound objective or impersonal. This is particularly useful in academic or professional writing.
- The report was submitted on time.
- It was decided that changes should be made.
- The decision was announced yesterday.
These forms help shift the focus away from the person doing the action and instead place emphasis on the action or result itself.
Benefits of Using Impersonal Words
Maintaining Objectivity
Impersonal language is crucial in fields where neutrality and objectivity are necessary. For example, in journalism or academic writing, using impersonal words helps avoid bias and keeps the tone professional.
Creating a Formal Tone
In business, education, and legal contexts, impersonal expressions help establish authority and professionalism. Saying ‘It is required that all employees attend the meeting’ sounds more formal than ‘You must attend the meeting.’
Generalizing Statements
Sometimes, writers or speakers want to refer to actions or situations that apply broadly. Impersonal language helps in making generalized statements without targeting individuals.
- One should always tell the truth.
- It is important to exercise regularly.
Common Impersonal Words and Phrases
Below is a list of commonly used impersonal words and expressions that are frequently used in English:
- It appears that…
- It is believed that…
- It seems…
- There is/are…
- It has been reported…
- One might say…
- It is expected that…
- It is known that…
These phrases are especially useful in writing essays, reports, or analyses where a neutral point of view is needed.
Impersonal Words in Different Contexts
Academic Writing
Impersonal words are widely used in academic writing to keep the tone objective. Students and researchers often avoid personal pronouns and instead use phrases like It is observed, or The data suggests.
Business and Professional Communication
In formal emails, business reports, or official notices, impersonal language conveys authority and removes emotional tones. For example, It is advised that all staff members update their passwords regularly.
Everyday Communication
Even in daily life, impersonal expressions help people speak diplomatically or avoid confrontation. Instead of saying You are wrong, one might say, It seems there’s a misunderstanding.
How to Recognize Impersonal Language
If you are trying to identify impersonal words or structures, consider the following tips:
- Check whether the sentence avoids naming a person directly.
- Look for passive voice constructions.
- Notice the use of phrases like it is, there are, or one should.
- See if the sentence expresses a general truth or opinion without stating whose opinion it is.
Teaching and Learning Impersonal Words
Tips for Learners
For those learning English, mastering impersonal language can take time, but it is highly rewarding. Start by practicing simple structures like It is important to and slowly add more complex phrases. Reading news topics, scientific reports, or essays can expose learners to common usage of impersonal words.
Exercises for Practice
- Convert personal statements to impersonal ones. E.g., ‘I think it will rain’ â ‘It seems it will rain.’
- Write a short paragraph using only impersonal expressions.
- Identify impersonal phrases in a newspaper topic.
The Power of Impersonal Words
Impersonal words play an essential role in shaping how ideas are communicated in both written and spoken language. They add clarity, neutrality, and professionalism to speech and writing. Whether used to sound more objective in academic essays or to maintain a formal tone in workplace communication, impersonal expressions help structure our language in precise and meaningful ways. Understanding their function, practicing their use, and recognizing their patterns can enhance anyone’s ability to communicate effectively. As you encounter more examples of impersonal words in English, you’ll begin to see how versatile and powerful they are in expressing thoughts clearly without pointing fingers or making things personal.