THE PASSIVE VOICE



THE PASSIVE VOICE

The passive voice is formed from ser + past participle of the verb. Por translates the English ‘by’ except after verbs for feeling when de is used:-

Examples: Los alumnos fueron acusados por el profesor, the pupils were accused (at a specific moment – preterite) by their teacher.

La profesora era temida de sus alumnos, the teacher was feared (over a non-specific period of time – imperfect) by her pupils.

The passive expresses an action; to express a state resulting from an action (false passive), estar is used with the past participle of the verb:-

Examples: La puerta fue abierta por el profesor, the door was opened by the teacher (action).

La puerta estaba abierta, the door was open (state).

Note: the past participle used with ser and estar always agrees with the subject of the sentence.

AVOIDING THE PASSIVE

Where possible, the passive should be avoided in Spanish by using:

- the pronominal form of the verb;

- the 3rd person plural of the active voice of the verb.

The pronominal construction

The pronominal construction may be a personal (with transitive verb) or an impersonal (with transitive or intransitive verb) one:-

Examples: Cuando entró, la sala se llenaba de gente, when he went in, the room was full of people.

Se dice*, one says, they say, it is said, etc.

Se me dice* que no volverá a hacerlo, I’m told he won’t do it again.

Se vio* al hombre en la calle, the man was seen in the street.

* cf. French construction with on (on dit, on a vu, etc.)

Note: If the verb is followed or preceded by a noun, it must agree in number:-

Examples: Aquí se venden caramelos, sweets are sold here.

Las entradas se compran (pueden comprarse) en la taquilla, tickets are bought (can be bought) from the ticket office.

The 3rd person plural construction

The 3rd person plural of the active voice can be used to translate was/were + past participle:-

Example: Vieron al hombre en la calle, the man was seen in the street.

Note: clearly, the passive with ser + past participle cannot be avoided if a specific person is involved in the action:-

Example: El ladrón fue detenido por el policía, the thief was arrested by the policeman.

JCW

01.01.06

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