Hi,
From your question, I'm not sure if you don't know what the 'impersonal you' is or if you don't see how it applies in this situation. So, first, an impersonal pronoun is a pronoun that does not refer to a particular person or thing. An example is "Wherever you go, there you are." Clearly those 'you' don't mean the person or persons spoken to. The actual meaning of that sentence is "Wherever one goes, there one is." Another example is "It is raining." although some argue about this one.
OK, so parse this sentence in light of the conversation to that point. You claimed that the usage of 'decimate' was artistic license. My reply was that your (meaning 'you' Jim) argument would only be valid if you (again, meaning you Jim) defined 'artistic license' to be " . . . ignorant usage of your native language and stupidity beyond comprehension." Since this is a definition which I'm counter-factually attributing to you (Jim), then the 'your' in that phrase cannot refer to you (Jim). It must refer to some unnamed generic 'you' (not Jim). Indeed, it refers to some generic, unnamed writer -- or possibly many such.
Clearly the use of 'impersonal pronouns' can be a bit tricky and prone to misunderstanding. Which is why I gave you a link to what both explained what they are and why not to use them, at least in formal writing.
--Pete
EDIT: It is a sign of the times that the best online English writing guide I could find is from Sweden. Then again, anyone taught in the USA and under the age of 50 has probably never had a grammar course. They pretty much quit teaching it around '70.
(05-24-2010, 01:07 AM)King Jim Wrote: Yes to all the above, except the "impersonal you?" I don't understand what you mean, could you please explain.
From your question, I'm not sure if you don't know what the 'impersonal you' is or if you don't see how it applies in this situation. So, first, an impersonal pronoun is a pronoun that does not refer to a particular person or thing. An example is "Wherever you go, there you are." Clearly those 'you' don't mean the person or persons spoken to. The actual meaning of that sentence is "Wherever one goes, there one is." Another example is "It is raining." although some argue about this one.
(05-23-2010, 04:58 PM)--Pete Wrote: Only if by 'artistic license' you mean ignorant usage of your native language and stupidity beyond comprehension.
OK, so parse this sentence in light of the conversation to that point. You claimed that the usage of 'decimate' was artistic license. My reply was that your (meaning 'you' Jim) argument would only be valid if you (again, meaning you Jim) defined 'artistic license' to be " . . . ignorant usage of your native language and stupidity beyond comprehension." Since this is a definition which I'm counter-factually attributing to you (Jim), then the 'your' in that phrase cannot refer to you (Jim). It must refer to some unnamed generic 'you' (not Jim). Indeed, it refers to some generic, unnamed writer -- or possibly many such.
Clearly the use of 'impersonal pronouns' can be a bit tricky and prone to misunderstanding. Which is why I gave you a link to what both explained what they are and why not to use them, at least in formal writing.
--Pete
EDIT: It is a sign of the times that the best online English writing guide I could find is from Sweden. Then again, anyone taught in the USA and under the age of 50 has probably never had a grammar course. They pretty much quit teaching it around '70.
How big was the aquarium in Noah's ark?