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Marco Posted 22 years ago
Grammar
Impersonal pronouns
What pronoun can be used a an impersonal pronoun?
Ex.: How can that(it) be done?
Which variant would work better as a substitute?
1. How can we do that?
2. How can you do that?
Thanks.
Ex.: How can that(it) be done?
Which variant would work better as a substitute?
1. How can we do that?
2. How can you do that?
Thanks.
Top answer
"you" is most commonly used as an impersonal pronoun. I would choose "you". That said, both are grammatically correct.
- "you" is most commonly used as an impersonal pronoun.
- I would choose "you".
- That said, both are grammatically correct.
- Formally, you would say "one": How can one do that?
- It sounds stuffy to me.
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6 Answers
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"you" is most commonly used as an impersonal pronoun.
I would choose "you". That said, both are grammatically correct.
Formally, you would say "one": How can one do that? It sounds stuffy to me.
A non-pronomial solution is "How can a person do that?".
I would choose "you". That said, both are grammatically correct.
Formally, you would say "one": How can one do that? It sounds stuffy to me.
A non-pronomial solution is "How can a person do that?".
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Hi,
I'd be happy with 'one', but my understanding is that 'one' is not a common feature of American English.
Clive
I'd be happy with 'one', but my understanding is that 'one' is not a common feature of American English.
Clive
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AnonymousA pronoun that refers to anybody -- in general. A pronoun that just means someone or a person or people. In other words, any pronoun that doesn'twhatWhat is thedefinationdefinition of impersonal pronoun?
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The lack of an impersonal 2nd sg pronoun in English is lamentable! One is stuffy, and NOT used in common speech. Until the language changes to accomodate my good ideas, I'd reccomend revising.
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