The Passive Voice

In Spanish, when the subject of the sentence is indefinite or unknown, the Passive voice is used.

In the Passive voice, the Subject of the sentence both does and receives the action of the verb.

The Passive voice in English is constructed like this:

Books are sold in the bookstore. Books , as the subject is also receiving the action of the verb. It is both the Subject and the Direct Object.

To form the Passive voice in Spanish, the reflexive pronoun se is followed by the third person singular of the verb (he/she form of the Present tense).

Se necesita un mechánico porque el carro no corre bien.

A mechanic is needed because the car does not run well.

(Which mechanic? Unknown – therefore the Passive voice is used)

If the noun that follows is plural, then se is followed by the third person plural (they) form of the verb.

Se necesitan dos secretarias. Two secretaries are needed. (They need two secretaries)

Se venden pasteles en la panadería. Cakes are sold in the bakery. (They sell cakes in the bakery)

Se can also be used to express the general subject ‘one’, ‘they’, ‘people’, etc. in English:

Aquí se habla español.

Spanish is spoken here.

One speaks Spanish here.

They speak Spanish here.

People speak Spanish here.