¡Hola! In Spanish, like in English, you can shift the focus of a sentence from the doer of an action (the agent) to the recipient of the action (the patient). This is often achieved using the passive voice. We'll explore the "true" passive voice and also the very common "passive se" and "impersonal se" constructions, which are frequently used alternatives.
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
Consider the English sentences: "The author wrote the book" (active) vs. "The book was written by the author" (passive). In the passive sentence, the book (recipient of the action) becomes the subject. Spanish has similar structures.
(Optional Review): What is the past participle of escribir? (escrito). Of construir? (construido). You'll need past participles for the passive voice.
The true passive voice is formed similarly to English: using the verb ser (conjugated in the appropriate tense) + the past participle of the main verb. The past participle must agree in gender and number with the subject (the recipient of the action). The agent (doer of the action), if mentioned, is introduced by the preposition por.
Structure: Sujeto (paciente) + SER (conjugado) + Participio Pasado (concordado) + (POR + agente)
Active: Miguel de Cervantes escribió Don Quijote. (Miguel de Cervantes wrote Don Quixote.)
Passive: Don Quijote fue escrito por Miguel de Cervantes. (Don Quixote was written by Miguel de Cervantes.)
Active: Los arquitectos diseñarán los edificios nuevos. (The architects will design the new buildings.)
Passive: Los edificios nuevos serán diseñados por los arquitectos. (The new buildings will be designed by the architects.)
Active: La policía ha investigado el caso. (The police have investigated the case.)
Passive: El caso ha sido investigado por la policía. (The case has been investigated by the police.)
The true passive voice is more common in written and formal Spanish (like news reports, historical texts) than in everyday conversation.
The "passive se" (or "pasiva refleja") is a very common way to express passive ideas in Spanish, especially when the agent is not mentioned or is unimportant. It's formed with se + verb in the third person. The verb agrees in number (singular or plural) with the recipient of the action (which acts as the grammatical subject).
Structure: SE + Verbo (3ª persona singular o plural, concordando con el paciente) + (Sujeto paciente)
The agent is usually omitted with the passive "se." If you need to mention the agent, the true passive (ser + por) is generally preferred.
The "impersonal se" is used when there is no specific subject performing the action. It often translates to "one," "you" (in a general sense), "they," or "people." The verb is always in the third person singular, regardless of whether the direct object (if any) is singular or plural.
Structure: SE + Verbo (siempre 3ª persona singular)
Master the true passive, passive "se", and impersonal "se".
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Instructions: Identify if the bolded part is True Passive (TP), Passive "Se" (PS), or Impersonal "Se" (IS).
Answer Key:
Instructions: Change the active sentences to true passive voice.
Answer Key:
Instructions: Complete the sentences using the correct form of the verb in parentheses with "se". Decide if it's passive "se" (verb agrees with noun) or impersonal "se" (verb singular).
Answer Key:
Instructions: Imagine you are creating signs for a public place (e.g., library, park, museum). Write 3-4 rules or informational statements using "se" constructions.
Example: No se permite comer aquí. Se deben devolver los libros a tiempo.
In everyday Spanish conversation, the "passive se" and "impersonal se" are far more common than the true passive voice (ser + participle + por). The true passive is often reserved for more formal writing, like news articles, official documents, or when the agent (the doer of the action) is important to mention.
You'll see "se" constructions everywhere: on signs ("Se alquila" - For Rent), in instructions ("Se mezclan los ingredientes" - The ingredients are mixed), and in general statements ("Se vive bien en este país" - One lives well in this country).
In the true passive voice, the past participle must agree in gender and number with the subject (the thing being acted upon).
Example: La casa fue construida. Las casas fueron construidas.
In the passive "se" construction, the verb (in 3rd person) agrees in number (singular/plural) with the thing being acted upon (which is the grammatical subject).
Example: Se vende la casa. Se venden las casas.
The verb in an impersonal "se" construction is always in the third-person singular, regardless of whether it's followed by a plural noun (which would be a direct object, not the subject in this case).
Example: Se buscan traductores. (Passive "se" - Translators are sought.)
Example: Se busca a traductores con experiencia. (Impersonal "se" - One seeks / They are seeking translators with experience. "A" personal with direct object "traductores").
Sometimes, "se + verb" can be reflexive (action done to oneself) rather than passive. Context usually makes it clear.
If ambiguity could arise with an animate object, the true passive or rephrasing might be preferred to clarify that the subject is not acting upon itself.
A news report about a local event.
Ayer, una nueva biblioteca fue inaugurada en el centro del pueblo. La ceremonia fue presidida por la alcaldesa. Muchos discursos fueron pronunciados y se cortó una cinta simbólica.
En la nueva biblioteca, se pueden encontrar miles de libros. También se ofrecerán talleres de lectura para niños. Se dice que es la biblioteca más moderna de la región.
Durante la construcción, algunos artefactos antiguos fueron descubiertos por los trabajadores. Estos objetos ahora son exhibidos en una pequeña muestra dentro de la biblioteca. ¡Se espera mucha gente en los próximos días!
Yesterday, a new library was inaugurated in the center of town. The ceremony was presided over by the mayor. Many speeches were delivered and a symbolic ribbon was cut.
In the new library, thousands of books can be found. Reading workshops for children will also be offered. It is said that it is the most modern library in the region.
During the construction, some ancient artifacts were discovered by the workers. These objects are now exhibited in a small display inside the library. Many people are expected in the coming days!
Understanding passive constructions allows you to vary your sentence structure and focus. Next, we will explore Reported Speech (Estilo Indirecto), which is how you tell someone what another person said, asked, or commanded. This involves important changes in verb tenses and pronouns! ¡Vamos a ello!