Ask a Question

(Create a thread)
Go Back   Spanish language learning forums > Spanish & English Languages > Grammar


Passive voice in spanish?

 

This is the place for questions about conjugations, verb tenses, adverbs, adjectives, word order, syntax and other grammar questions for English or Spanish.


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old April 20, 2008, 09:51 PM
Hombre-Araña's Avatar
Hombre-Araña Hombre-Araña is offline
Opal
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Estados Unidos
Posts: 25
Native Language: English
Hombre-Araña is on a distinguished road
Passive voice in spanish?

On my english papers, I have been reprimanded for my tendency of using a "passive voice". I think that means "to be" + verb. Is this passive voice used the same way in spanish, and is it acceptable in high school-college level writing?
__________________
See any mistakes? Feel free to correct =]
Reply With Quote
   
Get rid of these ads by registering for a free Tomísimo account.
  #2  
Old April 20, 2008, 11:39 PM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is offline
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,299
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
Verbs are grouped into an active voice, as in 'My dad drove the car,' or a passive voice, 'The car was driven by my father.' In the active voice, the subject is the agent, or 'doer' of the action. In the passive voice, the subject of the sentence is acted upon by some other agent or by something unnamed (The car was driven - The plan was adopted).

The passive voice is a 'to be + past participle' construction in both languages. This construct occurs frequently in English. It isn't a good idea to always use it, however. Your teacher wants you to write straight-forward sentences instead of overusing the passive voice. This is a proper expectation in high school and college work.

In Spanish, the passive voice is not used as frequently as in English. Instead, a reflexive verb construct is much more prevalent. A very good example can be seen in this popular phrase: Se habla español
Here is the passive voice English translation: Spanish is spoken here
Here is another translation, using an active voice: One speaks Spanish here
You'll note that the latter translation sounds odd to us because we like to know who is doing the speaking. If we don't know who that person is, we tend to use the passive voice. To a person whose native language is Spanish, however, it doesn't at all sound strange to use se habla español. If the subject is acted upon by some other agent, or if it is unnamed, they use a reflexive construct. I doubt you'll ever see a sign that reads español está hablado aquí. If you do, it was probably written by someone whose native tongue is English.

Using a reflexive construct instead of the passive voice in Spanish is an important concept to master (and understand).
Tip: When the subject is not known, thinking 'one speaks Spanish' will help you remember to use a reflexive construct.


It is very common in Spanish for a subject to be acted upon, rather than to do the action. This is another case where the reflexive construct is used.
Examples of being acted upon instead of doing the action:
I forgot my keys = se me olvidaron las llaves (the keys forgot me - I didn't forget them!)
I dropped the vase = se me cayó el florero

Last edited by Rusty; April 21, 2008 at 09:09 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old April 21, 2008, 07:59 AM
Elaina's Avatar
Elaina Elaina is offline
Diamond
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Midwest
Posts: 2,565
Native Language: English
Elaina will become famous soon enough
Thank you Rusty!

You have a very natural way of explaining things. You have refreshed my memory with this explanation.

Thanks again!
Elaina
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old April 21, 2008, 10:16 AM
sosia's Avatar
sosia sosia is offline
Ankh-Morpork's citizen
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: a 55 cm del monitor
Posts: 2,984
Native Language: Spanish (Spain)
sosia has a spectacular aura aboutsosia has a spectacular aura about
good one Rusty!
apuntate una!
saludos
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old April 21, 2008, 12:50 PM
Tomisimo's Avatar
Tomisimo Tomisimo is offline
Davidísimo
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: North America
Posts: 5,664
Native Language: American English
Tomisimo will become famous soon enoughTomisimo will become famous soon enough
Great post Rusty. Just one small thing. Wouldn't it be se me olvidaron las llaves not se me olvidó las llaves?
__________________
If you find something wrong with my Spanish, please correct it!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old April 21, 2008, 01:28 PM
Rusty's Avatar
Rusty Rusty is offline
Señor Speedy
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: USA
Posts: 11,299
Native Language: American English
Rusty has a spectacular aura aboutRusty has a spectacular aura about
Yes, you're right. Thanks, David! (Post corrected.)

Last edited by Rusty; April 21, 2008 at 09:11 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old April 22, 2008, 03:03 PM
Hombre-Araña's Avatar
Hombre-Araña Hombre-Araña is offline
Opal
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Estados Unidos
Posts: 25
Native Language: English
Hombre-Araña is on a distinguished road
Thanks a bunch, Rusty =]
__________________
See any mistakes? Feel free to correct =]
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old April 24, 2008, 11:32 AM
Alfonso Alfonso is offline
Filósofo y Poeta
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,239
Alfonso will become famous soon enough
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tomisimo View Post
Great post Rusty. Just one small thing. Wouldn't it be se me olvidaron las llaves not se me olvidó las llaves?
Actually, both are correct!

The former is pasiva refleja, last one is impersonal. It's the same case as:
  • Se vende casas. (Impersonal)
  • Se venden casas. (Pasiva refleja)
Anyway, this is a deep grammar concept on which many grammarians are loosing their youths. It is not worthwhile focusing on it.
__________________
I welcome all corrections to my English.
Salu2 desde Madrid,
Alfonso
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old April 26, 2008, 03:39 PM
Tomisimo's Avatar
Tomisimo Tomisimo is offline
Davidísimo
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: North America
Posts: 5,664
Native Language: American English
Tomisimo will become famous soon enoughTomisimo will become famous soon enough
I didn't know that. It just goes to show you that you learn something every day.
__________________
If you find something wrong with my Spanish, please correct it!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old May 02, 2008, 07:37 AM
Iris's Avatar
Iris Iris is offline
Emerald
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Where the stork dropped me years ago, wish it had done it further north
Posts: 687
Native Language: nominally:Spanish, emotionally:Engl
Iris is on a distinguished road
Se vende casas sounds incorrect to me. Is it ok?
__________________
Take care,
María José
Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
grammar, passive voice, reflexive verbs

 

Link to this thread
URL: 
HTML Link: 
BB Code: 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Site Rules

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
passive voice and "se" verbs anthony Grammar 4 May 10, 2007 04:19 PM


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 09:55 AM.

Forum powered by vBulletin® Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.

X