Impersonal sentences in English: structure and features of use.

The English language is rich in idioms and interesting phrases, but not only them. Often we need to say simple sentences that seem simple in speech, but for some students are problematic in construction. For example, how to say in English about the weather ''sunny'', ''evening'' or ''winter''? As you can see, there is no face in such sentences, they are impersonal. impersonal offers in English language, these are sentences in which not only the person who performs the action is often absent, but there is also no action itself. Confused? Just! Consider the features of the formation of impersonal sentences, get acquainted with vivid examples and shed light on frequently asked questions.

To learn impersonal sentences, first you need to understand the features of the construction simple sentences, gradually taking on more complex ones. As examples, we use the above sentences ‘’Sunny’’. ‘’Evening’’. ''Winter''. In English it would be like this => It is sunny. It is getting dark. It is winter.

On a note! Most often, impersonal sentences in English are used to refer to weather and natural conditions.

What does the construction of an impersonal sentence consist of, if it does not have an actor? Pronoun it+ verb to be- the main active members of the proposal.

But! Remember that the verb to be can be used in different times- past, present and future. Exact time can be learned from the context. For example, it is, it was, it will be – verb variations tobe at different times (present, past and future).

Here are some examples:

Verb to be plays the role of a predicate, and the role of the subject belongs to the pronoun it. Pronoun it performs the function of the subject always and everywhere (in any type of impersonal sentences).

To better understand the principle of forming impersonal sentences, let's explain the situation with examples:

• Autumn => It is autumn.
• Spring will come soon => It will be spring soon.
• Warm => It is warm.
• Cold => It is cold.
• It's hot => It is hot.
• It will be cool in summer => It will be cool in summer.
• It was getting dark => It was getting dark.

A specific tense (the form of the verb to be) is chosen depending on the specific situation or based on the context. The particle it remains unchanged for all temporary forms.

Constructions it is, it was, it will be used to translate different offers in which there is an adverb. For example, how to translate sentences containing adverbs close, far, impossible, possibly, difficult, easily etc.? Let's explain everything with examples:

Interrogative form of impersonal sentences

To form an interrogative form, the verb to be should be placed at the beginning of the sentence:

• Is it already dark? => Is it already dark?
• Is it near the window? => Is it next to the window?
• Is it drizzling? => Is it drizzling?

Note that the verb to be will have different forms (is, are, am ).

To form a negative form, you only need to add a particle not .

• It wasn't raining. => There was no rain.
• It is not snowing. => It's not snowing.

Impersonal sentences: where they are used and when they are appropriate to use

1. If you need to answer the question: "What time is it?", it is appropriate to use impersonal sentences:

• It is 9 o'clock now => It's nine o'clock now.
• It was half past 5 => It was half past six.
• When I return it will be 11 o'clock => When I return it will be 11 o'clock.

1. If you need to say about the weather, describe it, then use impersonal sentences with verbs to snow, to rain, to drizzle, to hail etc.:

• It is snowing days and nights => It is snowing days and nights.
• It often rains these days => It often rains these days.
• It will be drizzling => It will drizzle.

1. If you need to say how long it will take to perform a particular action:

• It takes me half a day to get to the station => I need half a day to get to the station.
• It will take some time to learn so many rules => It will take some time to learn so many rules.

Note! We use the construction i t takes… to… . If there is such a construction, it automatically means that you need to use an impersonal sentence.

1. If you need to describe an action where the infinitive is used. In such sentences, the following words are often used => to seem, to appear, to happen, to turn out, never:

• It is hard for me to say ‘’hello’’, but it is never late =>
• It happened to be clear and sunny => It happened to be clear and sunny.
• It turned out funny but this young director is my close friend => It turned out funny, but this young director is my close friend.

1. If you need to express modality with verbs must, may, can. In this situation, the subject is the word one:

• One cannot cope with everything at once => You cannot cope with everything at once.
• One have to wash hands before his dinner => You need to wash your hands before dinner.
• One must sign in here => Here you need to register (log in).

On a note! When translated into Russian, the word one omitted (it is not translated in any way).

Summing up

By doing the exercises every day, you will quickly learn the intricacies of forming an impersonal sentence. It is important to change the words in sentences every time, make up different situations and use all the possible words in your vocabulary. Regular exercise, patience and diligence will lead you to success and new knowledge. Learn and improve!

The English love accuracy, so in English the main thing is to maintain a clear sentence structure. Everything must be in order: first the subject, then the predicate, then the minor members of the sentence, and so on. However, there are sentences in English that are called impersonal. It is difficult to compare them with chaotic, impersonal sentences devoid of a subject in Russian such as “It was evening”, “It was getting light”, since these structures still have a subject. But first things first.

3 types of offers you need to know about

In English, as in Russian, there are 3 types of sentences: personal, indefinitely personal and impersonal.

In personal sentences, the subject expresses a person, object or concept. Everything is simple here: The child began to cry / The child began to cry.

In indefinite personal sentences, the subject expresses an indefinite person. The functions of the subject indefinitely personal sentence in English are performed by the pronouns one, you or they.

• One must be graceful to his parents. “You have to be grateful to your parents.
• You never guess what she may bring next time. (- One never guess ...) - You will never guess (it's hard to say) what it might bring next time.
• You may walk along the street without meeting one. - You can (you can / you can) walk along the street and not meet anyone.
• They say that a new mall will be built here next year. — They say that next year a new shopping center will be built here.

In Russian, an impersonal sentence is called in which there is no subject: Winter. Light. Cold. Frosty. Dark. It's time to leave. Impersonal sentences in English, as noted above, are not without a subject. However, it does not express the person or object performing the action. The function of the so-called “formal” subject is performed by the pronoun it, which, as a rule, is not translated into Russian.

Cases of using impersonal constructions

• When designating time, distance, natural phenomena, weather conditions, emotional state person.
  • It is 3 o'clock. 3 hours.
  • It is late. Late.
  • It is ten miles from here. (It is) ten miles from here.
  • It is summer. Summer.
  • It is frosty. Frosty.
  • It is raining (snowing). It's raining (snowing).
• In the presence of such impersonal turns as it seems (it seems), it appears (obviously, apparently), it happens (it turns out).
  • It seems that I've forgotten my identity card at home. It seems (that) I forgot my passport at home.
  • It appears that he will win. Obviously he will win.
  • It happened that no one had made homework. It turned out that no one had done their homework.

2 types of impersonal offers

In English, they are of two types: nominal and verbal. The first got their name due to the presence of an adjective in their structure. Their structure includes the verb to be and they are formed according to the following scheme:

subject + linking verb to be + nominal predicate + object

Consider examples of structures of nominal impersonal sentences in the table.

Examples of verbal impersonal sentence structures.

The construction of interrogative and negative forms of verbal impersonal sentences occurs according to general rules ordinary verb predicates: the grammatical tense used in the sentence is taken into account, and the auxiliary words necessary to pose the question are used.

Beginner mistakes

The most common beginner mistake is trying to translate impersonal sentences verbatim. Even the most simple sentences can be translated correctly by understanding the following rules:

• do not rush to translate if in Russian the sentence begins with indirect pronouns: me, him, her, them, us. Think carefully how to say it in the English manner;
• remember that in English a sentence always begins with a subject, and if this subject is a pronoun, then it must certainly be in the nominative case: he, she, it, I, you, they, we, but not us, them, me, him , her.

Below are examples of designs in which beginners most often make mistakes.

• I don't like this novel = I don't like this novel. — I don't like this novel. (Me not like this novel).
• She has a son. = She has a son. — She has a son. (Her be a son.)
• My name is Katya. = My name is Katya. = I am Katya. — My name is Kate. I am Kate. (Me is Kate).
• They live well. = They live well. — They live well. (them lives good).

Strengthening exercises

To better understand all of the above rules, the impersonality of the sentence and consolidate knowledge, try a simple translation exercise:

1. It will be hot …
2. stuffy…
3. On Monday it was raining and snowing...
4. Three days ago it was warmer...
5. It will be cold in March...

In Russian, we can easily build sentences consisting of one word: “Cold. Hot. Difficult. Late".

But how to do it in English?

After all, English has its own word order, and the sentence must necessarily have the main actor.

Therefore, according to the rules of the English language, we cannot translate these sentences "in Russian" in one word: "Cold. hot. Difficult. late".

To build them there is a special construction It is, which I will tell you about in this article.

From the article you will learn:

• How to build impersonal sentences in English

What are impersonal offers?

Impersonal sentences are sentences in which no main character . Let's look at this with an example.

We use impersonal sentences:

1. To describe the weather and natural phenomena
For example: It's cold. Dark.

2. To indicate time, date, day of the week, etc.
For example: 6 hours. Monday.

3. To indicate the distance
For example: far. Close.

4. To express the opinion of the speaker
For example: Fun. Difficult.

Attention: Confused in English rules? Find out how easy it is to understand English grammar.

To build such sentences in English, you need to use the it is construct.

Let's look at it in detail.

Rules for the formation of impersonal sentences in English

Such sentences are formed very simply: using the pronoun it and the verb to be at the right time. Offer scheme:

It + verb to be + other members of the sentence

It does not indicate a person and is not translated into Russian, but in the formation of a sentence it takes on the role of the main character.

The verb to be is a special kind of verb. We use it when we say that someone:

• Is somewhere (He's in the park)
• Is someone (She's a nurse)
• Is somehow (Grey cat)

Depending on the time in which we use this verb, in combination with the pronoun it, it changes its form:

In present time present simple- It is…= It’s….

It is hot.
Hot.

It is 5 o'clock.
5 o'clock.

In the past time past simple- It was…

Itwas dark.
It was dark.

It was easy.
It was easy.

In the future tense Future Simple - Itwill be…

It will be difficult.
It will be hard.

It will be fun.
It will be fun.

Negation in impersonal sentences in English

Sometimes we need to say negative sentences: “It's not difficult. Not windy. Not far." To form such sentences, we need to add a negative particle not to the verb to be.

The scheme of such a proposal:

It + verb to be + not + other members of the sentence

We can build such negative sentences in the present, past, future tenses.

Present Simple - It is not…= It's not…

It's not important.
Doesn't matter.

It’ snot cold.
Not cold.

In the past tense Past Simple - Itwasnot…

It wasn't funny.
It wasn't funny.

It wasn't dark.
It wasn't dark.

ATfuturetimeFuture Simple - It will not be… = It won’t be…

Will it be windy?
Will it be windy?

So, now you know what impersonal sentences are. Let's move on to practice.

Reinforcement task with It is construction

Translate the following sentences into English language. Leave your answers in the comments:

1. Friday.
2. It will be difficult.
3. Was it interesting?
4. 6 hours.
5. Not far.
6. Will it be fun?

Rule 3 Every English sentence has actor, so if it is not in the Russian sentence, put it yourself. To do this, use pronouns it and they.

Impersonal sentences in English with construction It is…

Rule 4. If there is no offer action verbs, then replace it with linking verb be(in one of its forms of present time, i.e. am, is, are).

Building on these 2 simple rules, let's translate nominal sentences(as they are called in Russian): October. Morning. Six o'clock.

Remember, if there is no offer D.L., nor D, then such a sentence should always begin with the construction " It is……»

1. 1. October. — It is Oct.
   2. Morning. — It is morning.
   3. Six o'clock. — It is 6 o'clock.

* * *

Impersonal sentences in English with the construction It is ... (exercises)

Exercise 1.Translate into Russian.

1.It is spring.2. It is cold today. 3. It is dark. 4. It often rains [ 1] in March. 5. It is a beautiful day. 6. It is nine o'clock. 7. It is a long way from here to London. 8. It is dangerous to drive so fast. 9. It was interesting to talk to him. 10. It always snows in the north.

Exercise 2.

1. Winter. 2. It was winter. 3. Last year was Cold winter. 4. Cold. 5. It was very cold. 6. Five o'clock. 7. It's five o'clock now. 8. It often snows in February (to snow is a verb). 9. It was a warm spring day. 10. The living room is warm. 11. Wonderful day. It'll be cold tomorrow.

Exercise 3Translate into English.

1. Spring. 2. Now it's spring. 3. It was late spring. 4. Hot. 5. It was very hot yesterday. 6. It's midnight now. 7. Early morning. 8. Dark. 9. It was dark. 10. The room was dark. 11. It's cold today. 12. It often rains in March (to rain is a verb).

Study of foreign language- enough difficult process requiring concentration, a lot of time and regular practice. This is important if you want to be fluent in the language at a conversational level. Learning how to collect known words into one sentence may seem very simple, but this is only at first glance. This is especially true for those who work on their own. To do this, we advise you to understand the classification of structures.

If we talk about the types of sentences on the subject, then they are divided into:

• personal;
• vaguely personal;
• impersonal.

In our article, we will dwell on impersonal sentences in more detail: we will explain why they are used, when they are appropriate or necessary, and consider the construction features and types.

Impersonal constructions - this topic is one of the most important in English grammar. Offers of this kind are widespread. Their peculiarity lies in the absence of an indication of the person who performs the action. If we talk about the Russian language, the following constructions can serve as an example: “Winter. It was getting dark. It's cold." A distinctive feature by which impersonal sentences are defined is that it consists of only one word, which is the subject or predicate.

Unlike our mother tongue, in English they are built differently, corresponding to certain rules. Constructions without the main members of the sentence are not allowed here and will be perceived by foreigners as a set of unrelated words. In order for the text to carry a semantic load, it is important to be guided by the rules of word order. When the subject comes first and the predicate comes after it, it will be a sentence of the affirmative type. When asking a question, the reverse word order is applied: the predicate, and then the subject. Therefore, when writing or colloquial speech set your priorities right. First of all, find the main members of the sentence, and only then add secondary words.

So where do you start to get it right? The pronoun it and the verb to be (sometimes other verbs are used) are the key words that form the basis of the impersonal grammatical construction. The phrase is built on the principle of direct order. At the same time, it does not translate in any way.

What are impersonal offers used for?

You can't learn something without understanding what it's for. Here is a classification of cases in which you cannot do without impersonal constructions. These include:

Description of natural phenomena:

• It is light. - Light.
• It is hold. - Cold.

Description of the weather:

It is rainy. - It is rainy.

In English, more complex sentences are often used:
It is snowing for the whole night. - It snows all night.
It often rains in autumn. - It often rains in autumn.

Answering the question: "What time is it?":

• It is 6.30 p.m. - It's half past seven.

Denoting time and distance:

• It is 9 o'clock - It's 9 o'clock now.
• It is close from here. - Close to here.
• When we reach the peninsula, it will be 1 p.m. “When we reach the peninsula, it will already be one in the morning.

Translation of adverbs: difficult, easy, perhaps, early, late, far:

• It is late to go to the store. - It's too late to go to the store.
• It is easy to do sit-ups. - Easy to do squats.

Indicating the amount of time required to complete the action:

• It takes me 40 minutes to go to school. The road to school takes me 40 minutes.
• It will take him 2 hours to repair his car. He will need 2 hours to fix the car.

· With the verbs believe, know, understand, expect, say, report, think, consider, used in the passive voice:.

• It is believed that the author's cakes are difficult to prepare. - It is believed that it is difficult to cook author's cakes.
• She is expected to leave soon. She is expected to leave soon.

To create an interrogative sentence, you need to swap the pronoun and the verb.

For example: Is it interested for you to watch a movie? Are you interested in watching a movie?

To build a negative construction, use the not particle by adding it to the verb to be: It is not complicated to swim brace. - Swimming is difficult.

Now that you are familiar with impersonal constructions, we suggest that you consolidate the material covered by yourself. Make up sentences using your vocabulary. You can try to write short story with minimal inclusion of pronouns. For the first time, we advise you to take a simple topic, for example, “The Seasons”. Do not forget that competent text creation is the foundation of spoken English. That is why it is important to give Special attention rules for the formation of sentences and not to ignore the questions that arise during the lessons.