Unit 2.1

Generic Pronoun You


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Introduction

Pronouns are words used to avoid repetitions of a noun. Subject pronouns replace a subject which is a person or a thing in a sentence.

The generic subject pronoun you does not refer to any person in particular, but to all people in general.

Form

The generic subject pronoun you is a subject and it goes before the verb. The pronoun you has singular and plural form.

Example

  • You can’t say that marks are the the most important thing in education.
  • You should have a proper salary to survive.
  • You should be very organized for this job project.
  • You shouldn’t try to look like anyobody else. Everyone is unique!
  • You can’t find a job easily nowadays.
  • You have to study very hard to get ahead in life. 

Use

We can use you as impersonal to talk about people in general.
The generic pronoun you has the same meaning as everyone, anyone or people.

Summary

We use the generic subject pronoun you, not to refer to any person in particular, but to all people in general.

The generic subject pronoun you is a subject and it goes before the verb. The pronoun you has singular and plural form.

For example:
You shouldn’t talk when your mouth is full.” = We give an advice to all people in general.
♦ “Amelie, you shouldn’t talk when your mouth is full.” = We can use the pronoun you to give an order to a specific person.

Let’s revise this content within the {Form} section. Take a look at the {Example} section that shows its use within a context.

Exercises

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