In Spanish, the impersonal voice allows you to express actions or ideas in a general way, without mentioning a specific subject. This is similar to using "one," "they," or "people" in English.
Using "Se" for Impersonal Voice
The most common way to form the impersonal voice is by using the pronoun se followed by a verb. This construction is widely used in Spanish.
Rules
- Use se + verb (in third person singular or plural).
- Singular verb for actions generally done by one person.
- Plural verb for actions that involve many people.
Examples
| Spanish Example |
|---|
| Se vive bien en esta ciudad. |
| English Example |
Using Third Person Singular
You can also use the third person singular form of the verb without se to make impersonal statements, especially in formal writing.
Examples
| Spanish Example |
|---|
| Se vive bien en esta ciudad. |
| English Example |
Expressions Commonly Used Impersonally
Some expressions are commonly used in an impersonal way to convey general truths or opinions.
Examples
| Spanish Example |
|---|
| Se vive bien en esta ciudad. |
| English Example |
Summary
- Use se + third person verb for impersonal statements.
- Use singular or plural verb form depending on the context.
- Third person singular without se can also be used impersonally.
- Impersonal voice expresses general actions, truths, or opinions without specifying who performs them.
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Last updated: Thu Jul 17, 2025