Formal Impersonal Ver

Impersonal verbs do not have a defined subject. They usually appear in the third person singular. Why singular? Because there is no specific person to trigger a plural. You aren't talking about "they" or "we." You are talking about a situation. The most famous tool here is the word se. This little particle acts as an impersonal subject. It tells the listener: "The person doesn't matter." Other verbs are naturally impersonal. They describe existence, necessity, or results. For example, trata-se de means "it is about." Notice how it doesn't change if the topic is plural. This is a common trap for learners. You must resist the urge to pluralize! Consistency is the key to this pattern. It creates a sense of distance. This distance is actually polite in formal Portuguese. It shows respect for the facts. It makes your arguments feel more solid. You are not just giving an opinion. You are stating a reality.

1. 1Select a high-level verb like tratar, constatar, or observar.
2. 2Conjugate the verb into the third person singular.
3. 3Add the particle se after the verb (clitic position).
4. 4Use a hyphen in standard writing: observa-se.
5. 5Follow with a preposition if the verb requires one (like de).
6. 6Ensure any following nouns do not force the verb to pluralize.
7. 7Check for "attractor" words (like não) that move the se before the verb.

Use this in your master's thesis. Use it when writing a formal report for your boss. It is perfect for newspaper articles. If you are applying for a residency permit, use it. In a job interview, it shows sophistication. Use it when you want to be firm but polite. For instance, urge tomar uma decisão sounds much stronger than "we need to decide." It implies that the situation itself demands action. It is excellent for giving instructions. It avoids sounding like you are bossing someone around. Instead, the rules themselves are speaking. Use it to describe general trends. "It is observed that prices are rising." This sounds more credible than "I see prices going up." It’s the difference between a hallway chat and a boardroom presentation.

Do not use this with your best friend. You will sound like a textbook come to life. Avoid it at a casual churrasco. It feels cold in intimate settings. Do not use it when you want to take personal credit. If you did the work, say eu fiz. Using impersonal forms there might seem like you are hiding. Avoid it in casual text messages. It is too heavy for a "where are you?" type of chat. Basically, if you are wearing flip-flops, leave this grammar at home. It’s for the office, the courtroom, and the lecture hall. Using it in a bar is a recipe for weird looks. Think of it as a tuxedo. Beautiful, but not for the beach.

The biggest mistake is the "Plural Reflex." Learners see a plural noun and pluralize the verb. They say tratam-se de problemas. This is a major ✗ error. The correct form is trata-se de problemas. Why? Because the preposition de prevents the noun from being the subject. Another mistake is forgetting the hyphen. In formal writing, observa-se needs that little dash. Some people also mix up the passive se with the impersonal se. If there is no preposition, the verb might need to be plural. For example: vendem-se casas. But with a preposition, it stays singular: precisa-se de funcionários. This distinction is the "Final Boss" of Portuguese grammar. Even some journalists get this wrong! Don't let it trip you up. Just remember: Preposition = Singular.

Compare eu acho with constata-se. The first is personal and subjective. The second is impersonal and objective. It sounds like a proven fact. Now, compare nós devemos with convém. Nós devemos involves you and your team. Convém suggests that it is simply the logical thing to do. It’s less about people and more about wisdom. Also, look at the difference between é preciso and urge. É preciso is common and useful. Urge is formal and dramatic. It adds a sense of immediate necessity. Finally, distinguish between falaram que and diz-se que. The first sounds like gossip. The second sounds like a formal statement or a general truth. Choosing the right one changes your entire vibe. One is for the street, the other is for the stage.