Distinguir entre Objetividade

Objectivity works by shifting the focus from the subject to the action. In casual speech, we love using eu (I) or a gente (we/us). In academic Portuguese, these words disappear. Instead, we use impersonal structures. The most famous tool is the se apassivador. This little word turns "I saw the results" into "The results were seen." You can also use the passive voice with the verb ser. Another trick is nominalization. This means turning verbs into nouns. Instead of saying "We analyzed the data," you say "The analysis of the data." This makes the sentence feel more stable and factual. It is like turning a moving movie into a still photograph. It feels more permanent and less debatable. Even native speakers struggle with this balance sometimes. Don't worry, it is a skill you can master with practice.

1. 1Creating objective sentences follows a few clear steps. Follow these to "zombie-proof" your writing from personal bias:
2. 2Identify the personal subject. Look for eu, nós, or meu.
3. 3Remove the subject entirely. The action must stand alone.
4. 4Use the se particle with the third person. Example: Observa-se (It is observed).
5. 5Use the passive voice (ser + participle). Example: Os dados foram coletados (The data were collected).
6. 6Use impersonal verbs like tratar-se de or haver. Example: Há evidências (There are evidences).
7. 7Swap emotive adjectives for descriptive ones. Change "terrible results" to "insufficient results."
8. 8Use nominalization. Change "The team researched" to "The research conducted by the team."

Use objectivity whenever the facts should speak for themselves. This is the gold standard for university theses and dissertations. You will need it for scientific reports and laboratory findings. It is also vital for legal documents and formal contracts. In a job interview, use it to describe your achievements neutrally. Instead of "I saved the company money," try "A cost reduction was achieved." It sounds more humble yet more impactful. Use it when writing emails to high-level executives or government officials. It shows you respect the formal nature of the communication. Think of it as a grammar traffic light. Green means use it for formal writing. Yellow means use it sparingly in professional emails. Red means avoid it when talking to your best friend over coffee.

Do not use objectivity in your personal diary. It will make you sound like a robot in your own life! Avoid it in casual text messages or WhatsApp groups. If you tell a friend "It is observed that the pizza is cold," they might laugh. Avoid it in creative writing or poetry unless you want a cold tone. It is usually not appropriate for blog posts or social media rants. These platforms thrive on personal voice and emotion. In marketing, too much objectivity can feel boring. Customers often want to feel a personal connection to a brand. If you are writing a letter to a loved one, keep the "I" and the "you." Objectivity is a tool for the office and the classroom, not the heart.

One common mistake is the "false objectivity" trap. This happens when you use eu acho (I think) but try to sound fancy. Another error is the wrong agreement with the se particle. People often say Vende-se casas instead of Vendem-se casas. Remember, the noun is the subject in these passive structures! Another slip-up is overusing nominalization. If every verb becomes a noun, your writing becomes heavy and unreadable. Do not turn "We need to talk" into "There is a necessity for a verbal exchange." That is just painful to read. Avoid mixing personal and impersonal styles in the same paragraph. It confuses the reader's perspective. Finally, watch out for "we" (nós). While common in some academic circles, it can still feel too personal for some professors. When in doubt, stick to the third person singular or plural.

Objectivity is often confused with the "Majestic We" (Nós). The nós structure is common in Portuguese academia. It sounds more inclusive than eu, but less formal than se. For example, Concluímos que (We conclude) is softer than Conclui-se que (It is concluded). Another contrast is the Passive Voice vs. Impersonal se. The passive voice (foi feito) focuses on the result. The impersonal se (faz-se) focuses on the process. Both are objective, but se is often seen as more elegant in Portuguese. English speakers often rely on "One must..." or "It is...". In Portuguese, the se particle is much more natural and frequent. Do not translate "One can see" as "Um pode ver." Use Pode-se ver instead. It sounds much more native and sophisticated.