1. 1. La voz pasiva con se In language there is something called active voice and then there is passive voice Your English teachers dont like the passive voice much Your Spanish teacher loves it!
2. 2. La voz activa v. la voz pasiva Active voice is very clear, precise & detailed. You know exactly who is responsible for the action, because you have a subject. Ej: Juan habla espaol Passive voice is not quite as detailed or precise, it speaks in generalities and doesnt concern itself so much over WHO does something, as much as it cares that the action is done. Ej: Se habla espaol
3. 3. La voz pasiva con se Use passive voice when you want to emphasize that something is done, but you dont care by whom. Look at how we can impersonalize the following samples: Ellos venden billetes de lotera > Se venden billetes de lotera (we dont care who sells them we just want them!) El camarero sirve tacos y tortillas > se sirven tacos y tortillas en ese restaurant mexicano. (again, who cares who serves? I just want to eat them!)
4. 4. Construccin de voz pasiva con se To impersonalize your expression, or to utilize the voz pasiva, simply: Cut out your subject (dont worry about who) Use the reflexive pronoun se Use the 3rd person singular OR plural of the verb Modelos: Se alquilan botes de vela al lago (sailboats are rented at the lake) Se construyen edificios altos en la ciudad (tall buildings are built in the city) Se habla espaol en Quito (Spanish is spoken in Quito)