When to use (or not use) different passive formsI think I've managed to wrap my head around how the passive works in a basic sense, but I'm wondering if anyone can offer, or refer me to, any guidance on WHEN to use different passive/impersonal forms, or how the nuances change? I know this is a rather broad question, so I'll try to narrow it down to a couple examples:
When is it prefered to use the true passive versus the se refleja form? for example, I was reading an article that said "las piedras habían sido extraídas de rocas que se formaron hace miles de millones de años." Here we have two different forms used in the same sentence! Could the writer have instead said "las piedras se habían extraído de rocas que fueron formado"--or some other combination--and if so are there different nuances?! Is one simply more formal? Or is there another specific reason the se pasiva wasn't use for one but it was used for the other?
Also, I know this is a lot at once, but I'm struggling to grasp how the use of the passive with "se" differs from the use of the "ellos" impersonal construction. For example, if a house is under construction down the street, would you say "se construye una casa" or "construyen una casa" and if both are equally valid, how are the nuances different? And are there cases where one is possible but the other isn't? For instance, I've often noticed that when the object of an action is a person rather than a thing the action is often not expressed with se--the ellos form seems to be the choice in some cases like "le robaron" (but not "se robó"?). And yet... we do have "se buscan secretarias"? I can't quite see what is going on here...
Mil gracias in advance for any help on any of these questions...
Is it possible to turn off the spanish vos form?
Thankfully I do receive the weekend workouts by email, but my preferred method is to select from the Weekend Workouts page, especially for catching up. The last one listed was 20th May 2022 and it's now 10th July.
https://spanish.kwiziq.com/learn/weekend-workouts
Will this be updated?
Thank you!
Are these two statements correct?
With "something is brought to mind" you have to omit the "a".
With "something reminds me that ..." you swap the "a" with "que".
Also, I didn't understand this part "something reminds me of what...", using "lo que" for "what"
What you mean with this?
please could you tell me the trigger for using subjunctive here.Será mejor que aparques lejos del centro.It'd be better if you park far from the town centre. [you=tú]
is the above translation correct?
Será - it will beor Sería - it would be
many thanks in advance
i
I used to think Spanish was an easy language, but that was before I actually started learning it earnest.
I am now at 17% in level BI. Although the program reports a steady increase in my confidence, I am hanging onto it by a thread. The difficulty of the language is increasing geometrically.. I don't even want to think about levels B2 and C1
James
I think I've managed to wrap my head around how the passive works in a basic sense, but I'm wondering if anyone can offer, or refer me to, any guidance on WHEN to use different passive/impersonal forms, or how the nuances change? I know this is a rather broad question, so I'll try to narrow it down to a couple examples:
When is it prefered to use the true passive versus the se refleja form? for example, I was reading an article that said "las piedras habían sido extraídas de rocas que se formaron hace miles de millones de años." Here we have two different forms used in the same sentence! Could the writer have instead said "las piedras se habían extraído de rocas que fueron formado"--or some other combination--and if so are there different nuances?! Is one simply more formal? Or is there another specific reason the se pasiva wasn't use for one but it was used for the other?
Also, I know this is a lot at once, but I'm struggling to grasp how the use of the passive with "se" differs from the use of the "ellos" impersonal construction. For example, if a house is under construction down the street, would you say "se construye una casa" or "construyen una casa" and if both are equally valid, how are the nuances different? And are there cases where one is possible but the other isn't? For instance, I've often noticed that when the object of an action is a person rather than a thing the action is often not expressed with se--the ellos form seems to be the choice in some cases like "le robaron" (but not "se robó"?). And yet... we do have "se buscan secretarias"? I can't quite see what is going on here...
Mil gracias in advance for any help on any of these questions...
En esta lección Yo pienso que hay un ejemplo de una pronunciación que no está correcta. Este ejemplo sigue: Suelo ir a natación todas las semanas. Específicamente es la palabra "todas". Por favor escucha esta palabra Y dígame si es correcto.
no estoy seguro si puedo a entender hablantes españoles sin traduciendo mentalmente en inglés.
Yo pienso que puedo pero no estoy seguro
Hello
I've run out of reading exercises before finishing A1. Are you planning to add more? I try and do one in my daily session. They're very interesting and helpful. More please! : )
Thank you
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