impersonal

/im'pə:snl/

Thân thiện

An impersonal computer screen displays a simple pie chart.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Lacking personal reference or connection: Describing something that does not involve, show, or relate to individual people, feelings, or preferences. It is objective and detached.
   • Not influenced by, showing, or involving personal feelings: Characterized by an absence of human warmth, individuality, or emotional involvement.
   • (Grammar) Of a verb or construction: Denoting a verb or a grammatical structure that is used without a specified subject, often with a formal subject like "it" or "there".

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • The report was written in a very impersonal style, focusing only on the data.
  • Large government agencies can sometimes feel impersonal to the people they serve.
  • In the sentence "It is raining," the verb "is" is used in an impersonal construction.

Advanced Usage

• "Impersonal forces": Refers to large, abstract influences (like economic trends or societal changes) that are not controlled by any single person.
  • The characters in the novel were swept along by impersonal forces of history.
• "Impersonal pronoun": A grammatical term for a pronoun (like "it" in "It is cold") that does not refer to a specific person or thing.

Variants and Related Words

• Impersonally (adverb): In an impersonal manner.
  • The manager addressed the team impersonally through a mass email.
• Impersonality (noun): The quality of being impersonal.
  • The impersonality of modern city life can be isolating.

Synonyms

• Objective: Not influenced by personal feelings or opinions.
• Detached: Aloof and objective; not emotionally involved.
• Neutral: Not supporting or favoring any side; impartial.
• Faceless: Lacking individuality or character, often describing large organizations.

Antonyms

• Personal: Of, affecting, or belonging to a particular person.
• Subjective: Based on or influenced by personal feelings and opinions.
• Intimate: Closely acquainted; familiar and private.

Related Phrases and Constructions

• Impersonal verb: A verb, often used with "it," that expresses an action or state without a specific subject performing it.
  • "To rain," "to snow," and "to seem" can function as impersonal verbs.
• Impersonal 'it': The use of the pronoun "it" as a formal subject in sentences about weather, time, or distance.
  • It is getting late. (Impersonal 'it' referring to time)

Học thuật

Adjective

1. having no personal preference
   • impersonal criticism
   • a neutral observer
2. not relating to or responsive to individual persons
   • an impersonal corporation
   • an impersonal remark

Từ đồng nghĩa

• neutral