Difference between revisions of "Language/French/Grammar/Verbs-with-personal-subject-used-impersonally"
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<div style="font-size:200%"> Verbs that take a personal subject can also sometimes be used impersonally </div> | <div style="font-size:200%"> Verbs that take a personal subject can also sometimes be used impersonally </div> | ||
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Examples
- Il se passe ici des choses étranges
Strange things are happening here
- Il est arrivé hier matin un événement qui sort de l'ordinaire
Something out of the ordinary happened yesterday morning
- Il convient d'être prudent de nos jours avec les conditions sanitaires
It is advisable to be careful nowadays with the sanitary conditions
- Il nous arrive souvent de recevoir des stars de la télé
We often receive TV stars
- Il manque un treizième couvert à la table
A thirteenth place setting is missing at the table
- Il y va de sa réputation
His reputation is at stake
- Il nous manque plusieurs de nos amis ce soir
Several of our friends are missing tonight
- Il ne me souvient pas d'avoir été présenté à cette dame
He don't remember being introduced to this lady
“être” can also be used impersonally
“être” can also be used impersonally, either in set expressions or more formally as an alternative to il y a:
- Il est grand temps que nous partions en vacances
It is high time we went on vacation
- Il n'est absolument pas question de rester client de cet opérateur Internet
There is absolutely no question of remaining a customer of this Internet operator
- Il est dommage d'avoir été si mal reçu par le service clients
It is a shame to have been so badly received by customer service
- Est-il besoin de vous rappeler que vous devez absolument arriver à l'heure? (formal style)
Is there any need to remind you that you absolutely must arrive on time?
- Il est des jours où l'on souhaiterait être seul
There are days when one would wish to be alone
Introduce fairy stories
There are two set phrases used to introduce fairy stories:
- « Il était une fois » (most used) OR « Il y avait une fois »
Once upon a time …