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Learn how to form the passive voice with indirect objects in Spanish, focusing on highlighting the recipient of the action using structures like "Al paciente le es entregado" and verbs conjugated with "ser".
  1. The person who receives the action takes "a" before the noun.
  2. The verb "ser" is used in the form appropriate to the tense (present, past, future, etc.) of the action.
ReglaEjemplo
Destacar a la persona que recibe la acciónAl paciente le es entregado el justificante por el médico de guardia. (The patient is given the certificate by the on-duty doctor.)
Concordancia del participio en género y número con el objeto directo.Al paciente le fue dado la baja tras recuperarse de la operación. (The patient was given discharge after recovering from the operation.)

 

Exercise 1: La voz pasiva: objeto indirecto

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

le fue realizada, le fue informado, le es entregado, le será asignada, le fue aplicado, le fue solicitado, le ha sido enviado, le fue notificada

1. Entregar (presente):
Al paciente ... el análisis de sangre en la recepción de la clínica.
(The patient is handed the blood test at the clinic reception.)
2. Realizar (indefinido):
Al paciente ... una revisión médica completa por el especialista.
(The patient was given a complete medical examination by the specialist.)
3. Aplicar (indefinido):
Al médico de guardia ... el justificante por el jefe de la clínica.
(The on-call doctor was given the certificate by the head of the clinic.)
4. Solicitar (indefinido):
Al seguro ... el justificante por la revisión médica.
(The insurance company was surely asked for the medical examination certificate.)
5. Informar (indefinido):
Al paciente ... que deberá someterse a un análisis de sangre la próxima semana.
(The patient was informed that they must undergo a blood test next week.)
6. Notificar (indefinido):
A la clínica ... la baja de uno de sus empleados por motivos de salud.
(The clinic was notified of the leave of one of its employees for health reasons.)
7. Asignar (futuro):
Al médico de guardia ... una revisión médica de rutina esta tarde.
(The on-call doctor will be assigned a routine medical check-up this afternoon.)
8. Enviar (indefinido):
Al paciente ... el justificante para presentarlo en su trabajo.
(The patient has been sent the certificate to present at their work.)

Understanding the Passive Voice with Indirect Object in Spanish

This lesson focuses on a specific use of the passive voice in Spanish that highlights the person receiving the action, often expressed through the indirect object. This structure is commonly used to emphasize the recipient rather than the doer of the action.

Key Points of the Lesson

  • Focus on the recipient: The sentence construction brings attention to the person who receives the action, usually introduced by the preposition "a" before the noun.
  • Use of the verb ser: The verb ser is conjugated appropriately to match the tense of the action (present, past, future, etc.).
  • Agreement of the past participle: The past participle agrees in gender and number with the direct object of the verb.

Example Sentences

  • Al paciente le es entregado el justificante por el médico de guardia.
  • Al paciente le fue dado la baja tras recuperarse de la operación.

Structure Breakdown

In these examples, "al paciente" (to the patient) is the indirect object, indicating the recipient of the action. The verb phrase includes a form of ser (es entregado, fue dado) followed by the past participle, which agrees with the direct object in gender and number.

Differences Between English and Spanish

In English, the passive voice typically emphasizes the subject receiving the action without using indirect objects explicitly in the same way. Spanish uses "a" before the recipient to mark the indirect object, which is less common in English passive constructions.

For example, English passive sentences like "The patient is given the certificate by the doctor" focus on the patient receiving the certificate but without the preposition "to" in the same way. In Spanish, "Al paciente le es entregado el justificante" explicitly marks the recipient with "al" (a + el).

Useful Phrases and Vocabulary

  • Recibir – to receive
  • Entregar – to deliver, to hand over
  • Baja – medical leave, discharge
  • Justificante – receipt, certificate
  • Participio pasado – past participle, important for agreement

Summary

This lesson allows you to form sentences where the focus is on the person who receives the action, using the passive voice with an indirect object. The combination of the preposition "a" with the indirect object, the use of ser conjugated to the specific tense, and agreement between the past participle and direct object are essential components. Mastering this will help you express actions clearly while highlighting the recipient in everyday situations.

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