Learn to use the impersonal "se" in Spanish for expressing general actions without a specific subject, with verbs like "se sale" (one leaves), "se trabaja" (one works), and "se escucha" (one hears) in singular form.
- The verb is always in the third person singular.
- Use the se impersonal with estar or verbs without a direct object.
- With transitive verbs use "a" + person.
| Fórmula (Formula) | Ejemplo (Example) |
|---|---|
| Se + salir | Se sale al campo al amanecer. (One goes out to the countryside at dawn.) |
| Se + vivir | Se vive tranquilo en la naturaleza. (One lives peacefully in nature.) |
| Se + ver | Se ve al agricultor trabajar. (The farmer is seen working.) |
| Se + escuchar | Se escucha a los animales de la granja. (The animals of the farm are heard.) |
| Se + alimentar | Se alimenta al caballo por la mañana. (The horse is fed in the morning.) |
| Se + criar | Se cría a las ovejas con cuidado. (Sheep are raised with care.) |
| Se + trabajar | Se trabaja mucho en la granja. (There is a lot of work on the farm.) |
Exceptions!
- Impersonal sentences, since they have no subject, do not allow the verb to change from singular to plural.
Exercise 1: El "se" impersonal
Instruction: Fill in the correct word.
Se alimenta, se trabaja, Se cuida, se cría, Se sale, Se escucha, Se ve, Se vive
1.
Escuchar:
: ... a las cabras por la noche.
(Goats are heard at night.)
2.
Cuidar:
: ... bien al toro en la granja.
(The bull is well cared for on the farm.)
3.
Trabajar:
En esta granja ... mucho.
(In this farm, a lot of work is done.)
4.
Vivir:
: ... tranquilo en la granja.
(Life is lived peacefully on the farm.)
5.
Alimentar:
: ... a las vacas por la mañana.
(The cows are fed in the morning.)
6.
Salir:
: ... al campo al amanecer.
(One goes out to the field at dawn.)
7.
Criar:
: En esta zona ... al cordero con cuidado.
(In this area, lamb is raised with care.)
8.
Ver:
: ... naturaleza por todas partes.
(You can see nature everywhere.)
Exercise 2: Multiple Choice
Instruction: Choose the correct sentence in each group that properly uses the reflexive pronouns "conmigo", "contigo", "consigo" or the pronouns "mí", "ti", "sí" after prepositions, according to the explained rules.
1.
'Con ti' is not said; the correct form is 'contigo', which merges 'con' + 'ti'.
After the preposition 'con' the personal pronoun 'tú' is not used, but the tonic pronoun 'ti', which in this case combines into 'contigo'.
2.
'Con ti' is incorrect; it should be 'contigo' which combines 'con' + 'ti'.
After a preposition 'tú' is not used, but the tonic pronoun 'ti' combined as 'contigo'.
3.
'Con sí' is not used; the correct form is 'consigo' to express reflexivity with 'él/ella'.
Here the reflexive pronoun 'consigo' is needed, not the personal pronoun 'ella' after the preposition.
4.
'Con mí' is not said; the correct form is 'conmigo'.
Repeating 'conmigo' is redundant and incorrect in this sentence.
