Impersonal Verb Definition, Usage, and Examples

Impersonal Verb Definition, Usage, and Examples Impersonal verbs, verbs that dont refer to the action of a specific entity, are used in both English and Spanish, although in different ways. Known as verbos impersonales in Spanish, they are fairly rare. They consist mainly of some  weather verbs and certain uses of haber and ser along with their English equivalents. Definition of Impersonal Verb An impersonal verb is one that expresses the action of an unspecified, generally meaningless subject. In its narrowest sense, an impersonal verb can have no subject. Impersonal Spanish verbs in this narrow sense include the weather verbs such as llover (to rain), which are also defective verbs, because conjugated forms exist only in the third-person singular (as in llueve, it is raining). Applying this strict definition to English, only one impersonal verb- methinks- remains in use, and then only in literature or for effect. In a broader and more usual sense, however, impersonal verbs in English are those that use a meaningless it as the subject. The it, known by many grammarians as an expletive, dummy pronoun, or pleonastic pronoun, is used not to provide meaning in the sentence but to provide a grammatically necessary subject. In the sentences It snowed and It is apparent he lied, snowed and is, respectively, are impersonal verbs. In Spanish, sometimes plural verbs can be considered impersonal, as in a sentence such as Comen arroz en Guatemala (they eat rice in Guatemala). Note how in this sentence, the implied subject of the sentence (translated as they in English) doesnt refer to anyone in particular. There is no significant difference in meaning between saying Comen arroz en Guatemala and Se come el arroz en Guatemala (Rice is eaten in Guatemala). In other words, this impersonal usage is similar in meaning to that of the passive voice. Using the Weather Verbs The most common weather verbs that are used impersonally in addition to llover are granizar (to hail), helar (to freeze), lloviznar (to drizzle), never (to snow), and tronar (to thunder). Hacer can similarly be used impersonally in phrases such as hacer viento (to be windy, literally to make or do wind). Other weather-related hacer phrases include hacer buen tiempo (to have good weather), hacer calor (to be hot), hacer frà ­o (to be cold), hacer mal tiempo (to have bad weather), and hacer sol (to be sunny). Verbs used similarly to refer to outdoor phenomena include amanecer (to become dawn), anochecer (to become dark, as at night), and relampaguear (to become brighter). When used impersonally, these verbs can be used only in the third person, but they can be used in any tense. For example, forms of llover include llovà ­a (it was raining), llovià ³ (it rained), ha llovido (it has rained), and lloverà ­a (it would rain). Haber as an Impersonal Verb In Spanish, the hay  form of  haber also is considered impersonal. In translation to English, there rather than it is used as a dummy pronoun. When used in the third person, haber can have meanings such as there is, there are, and there were. In the present indicative, haber takes the form of hay when referring to the existence of both singular and plural subjects. So Hay una mesa is used for There is one table, while Hay tres mesas is used for There are three tables. Traditionally in other tenses, only the singular form is used. Thus you would say Habà ­a una mesa for There was one table and Habà ­a tres mesas for There were three tables. However, although grammar purists may frown on it, it isnt unusual to hear habà ­an used for the plural, or habrn in the future tense. Ser as an Impersonal Verb In Spanish, no equivalent of it is used with impersonal verbs, which stand alone using a third-person singular conjugation. An example of an impersonal verb usage is the es in Es verdad que estoy loco (It is true that I am crazy). Ser is commonly used impersonally as the equivalent of constructions such as it is, it was and it will be in English impersonal expressions. Thus you could say Es posible que salgamos for It is possible we will leave. Note how it doesnt refer to anyone or anything in particular but is included simply so is can have a subject. Key Takeaways Impersonal verbs are those which the subject of the verb is no person or entity in particular.When impersonal verbs are used, Spanish doesnt use a noun or pronoun as the subject, omitting the subject entirely. In English, it and sometimes there are used as dummy subjects for impersonal verbs.Impersonal verbs are used only in the third person.

Idioms and Expressions With Make

Idioms and Expressions With Make The following idioms and expressions use make. Each idiom or expression has a definition and example sentences to help you understand these common idiomatic expressions with make. Once you have studied these expressions, test your knowledge with quiz testing idioms and expressions with make. There are many other words that often find their way into common idioms and expressions including have, run, work, and like. Make a Beeline for Someone or Something To go directly to someone or something as soon as you arrive. I got to the party and made a beeline for Susan.He made a beeline for the booth as soon as he arrived. Make a Clean Sweep To get rid of everything or everyone to start anew. Im afraid well have to make a clean sweep and start over.The police made a clean sweep of the area by arresting everyone.   Make a Comeback To become successful again after having been away from the scene or society for a long time The actress made a comeback in her latest movie.Youll have to make a comeback and take over the company. Make a Face Contort your face, make a strange expression often used with at someone. She tasted the soup and made a face. It must have been awful.Dont make a face at me! I know youre not happy. Make a Fool out of Someone To trick someone and make them look bad. She made a fool out of him and then left him for another man.I dont think youll ever make a fool out of me. Make a Fuss To pay a lot of attention to someone or something. She made a fuss the last time we visited, so lets take a gift.Im afraid I make a bit of a fuss over my plants in the garden. Make a Go of It To become successful, have success in business. It took us a few years to make a go of it, but everythings fine now.Bob made a go of it as an opera singer in Europe.   Make a Killing To earn a lot of money. Peter has been making a killing as a hedge fund manager.They made a killing in real estate and retired. Make a Living To earn money in a profession or trade. He makes a living selling insurance to the elderly.Can you make a good living by teaching? Make a Name for Oneself To become famous or well known. Jennifer made a name for herself as an actress on Broadway.One day youll get out into the world and make a name for yourself. Make a Point To make something understood to others. Im trying to make a point about your lack of effort.The presentation made the point that you need to start saving early in life. Make a Run for It To try to escape from a bad situation, or just from the rain or something equally unpleasant. Lets make a run for those trees over there. They should keep us dry.The bank robbers made a run for it, but the police caught them within two hours. Make a Scene To become very upset and vocal so that others notice you. The little girl made a scene every time her mother didnt immediately buy her what she wanted.Dont make a scene about this. Lets go home and talk about it. Make a Stink To complain loudly about something. She made a stink to human resources after she didnt get the promotion.Ill go down to the store and make a stink about this! Make an Example of Someone To do something negative to someone in order that others understand that they should not do the same. The boss decided to fire him to make an example of him to the other employees.Im afraid he made an example of her and she started to cry in front of everybody. Make an Exception To not do something that is usually the rule. Ill make an exception this one time. Next time, dont forget your homework.Can you make an exception and let me take the test next week? Make Arrangements   To do everything needed in order to be sure that something is done properly. Ill make arrangements for this to be shipped to Japan.We made arrangements for the meeting next week. Make Ends Meet To earn enough money to pay the bills. He works as an English teacher to make ends meet.You might not get rich, but youll certainly make ends meet. Make Fun Of   To joke at the expense of someone. He made fun of her makeup and she began to cry.Dont make fun of Peter! Hes a great guy! Make Good on Something To do something you have promised or feel you owe someone. Let me make good on it by taking you out to dinner.Jason made good on the bet after two weeks.   Make Light of Something To joke about something serious. I think you need to make light of the whole situation. What good does it do to worry so much?They made light of the mistake and continued with the job. Make Mischief To do something naughty, to get in trouble. The boys made mischief over the holidays and were grounded for three days.I know youre making mischief. I can see the twinkle in your eye. Make Sense   To try to understand something, to be understandable. Does that make any sense to you?Im trying to make sense of this situation. Make Short Work of Something To do something quickly. Lets make short work of the garden and have a beer.She made short work of the report and moved on to the presentation. Make Someone Tick To be responsible for how someone acts in life. His love of music makes him tick.What makes you tick? What really gets you excited? Make Something Up To invent something that isnt true, to tell a false story. He made up an excuse to get out of work that day.Have you ever made something up? Make the Grade To be good enough. Im afraid your work here doesnt make the grade.Do you think this painting will make the grade at the competition? Make Waves To cause others trouble, often by complaining a lot. Can also mean to become noticed, usually by some type of disruption, which can be good or bad. Many people say its important to not make waves at work. Thats how we get into a mess!Her father made waves until the school decided to give her another chance.