Personal

When I’m talking to you in a very personal and direct way, you know that by context and usually it’s very specific.

• You are a great student.
• You shouldn’t send those messages.
• Where do you live?

General

When you can replace you in the sentence and put the word people*,*** that’s when you are talking about general people and it’s not you as an individual person.

You have to show your passport at the airport. People have to show the passport at the airport.

You have to be crazy to do that. People have to be crazy to do that.

Worksheet

Using “you” in an impersonal form

Not always but usually, the personal pronoun “you” does not refer to any person or any group of people in particular. Instead, it refers to “all the people”.

For international flights, you must arrive at least 3 hours before. For international flights, people must arrive at least 3 hours before.

Write 5 things that people can’t do in your country using the impersonal pronoun “You”

• In Mexico, you cannot do drugs.
• You can’t drink alcoholic beverages in public spaces like streets.
• You cannot miss eating traditional Mexican food.