Passive constructions
Type the missing word in each sentence. You hear each sentence read by a native voice.
La puerta por el vecino esta mañana.
The door was opened by the neighbor this morning.
The rule
English relies heavily on "was built," "is spoken," "were found." Spanish can do this too, but more often uses se or rearranges the sentence. Recognising both patterns is important for reading, especially in news and formal writing.
The pattern
Spanish has two main passive constructions. The first uses the past participle, the -ado/-ido form from the past-participle lesson.
Ser + past participle (formal, written): El edificio fue construido en 1990. (The building was built in 1990.) The participle agrees with the subject in gender and number: La carta fue escrita. Las cartas fueron escritas.
Se + verb (much more common in speech and everyday writing): Se habla español aquí. (Spanish is spoken here.) Aquí se venden libros. (Books are sold here.) The verb agrees with the thing, not a person.
Use ser + participle for one-time events with a clear doer: El libro fue escrito por Cervantes.
Use se + verb for general statements, signs, and ongoing situations: Se necesitan voluntarios. (Volunteers are needed.)
Do not confuse passive se with reflexive se. In Se lava (He washes himself), se is reflexive. In Se lava la ropa aquí (Clothes are washed here), se is passive.
Examples
- Se habla español aquíSpanish is spoken here
- La casa fue construida en 1985The house was built in 1985
- Se venden frutas frescasFresh fruit is sold (here)
- El artículo fue escrito por una periodistaThe article was written by a journalist
- Se necesitan más profesoresMore teachers are needed
- Las ventanas fueron rotas por la tormentaThe windows were broken by the storm
- Se prohíbe fumarSmoking is prohibited
Watch out
- Español es hablado aquí. Se habla español aquí.Spanish does not use ser + participle for a general present-tense statement. Use the se construction.
- La casa fue construido en 1985. La casa fue construida en 1985.After ser, the participle must agree with the subject (casa is feminine).
- Se vende frutas. Se venden frutas.The verb agrees with the thing (frutas is plural).