The Impersonal Se in Formal

This structure hides the subject of the sentence. In English, we often use 'one', 'they', or 'people' for this. In Portuguese, we simply attach se to the verb. The verb remains in the third-person singular form. This is the golden rule you must remember. Even if the context feels plural, the verb stays singular. It is like a grammar traffic light that never turns green for pluralization. You are essentially saying 'it is done' or 'people do this' generally. It works specifically with intransitive verbs or verbs requiring a preposition. This is what separates it from the passive se.

1. 1Creating this structure is actually quite simple.
2. 2Choose a verb that does not have a direct object.
3. 3Conjugate that verb in the third-person singular.
4. 4Add the pronoun se after the verb with a hyphen.
5. 5If there is a preposition, place it immediately after the se.
6. 6For example, take the verb precisar (to need).
7. 7In a job ad, you would write Precisa-se de ajudantes.
8. 8Notice the verb precisa is singular.
9. 9The preposition de follows the se.
10. 10Even though ajudantes is plural, the verb does not change.

You should use this in formal or professional scenarios. Imagine you are writing a report for your boss. You want to sound objective and unbiased. Use it when the person performing the action is irrelevant. It is very common in signs and public notices. You will see Vive-se bem nesta cidade on tourism posters. It is also great for job interviews when discussing general procedures. Use it in academic essays to avoid saying 'I think' or 'we found'. It adds a layer of authority to your statements. Yes, even native speakers use this to sound more 'intellectual' at parties.

Do not use this in casual chats with your best friends. It will make you sound like a walking law textbook. Avoid it when the subject is clearly defined and important. If you know exactly who did the action, just name them. Do not use it with transitive direct verbs (verbs without prepositions). In those cases, you are likely looking for the passive se. If the verb can be pluralized to match the object, it is not impersonal. Also, avoid overusing it in a single paragraph. It can make your writing feel cold or robotic.

The biggest mistake is pluralizing the verb. People often see a plural word later and feel tempted. They write Tratam-se de problemas instead of Trata-se de problemas. This is a classic trap for advanced learners. Remember, the impersonal se is a lone wolf. It stays singular no matter what follows it. Another mistake is forgetting the preposition when the verb requires one. If you use confiar, you must include em. So, it becomes Confia-se em bons resultados. Lastly, do not confuse it with the reflexive se. In Ele se corta, the person is doing something to themselves. In Vive-se bem, no one is living themselves!

You must distinguish this from the passive se (partícula apassivadora). The passive se occurs with transitive direct verbs. In Vendem-se casas, the verb agrees with the plural 'houses'. Why? Because 'houses' is the subject being sold. In the impersonal se, there is no subject to agree with. The impersonal version uses verbs with prepositions or intransitive verbs. Think of the passive se as a mirror reflecting the object. Think of the impersonal se as a wall where the action stops. This distinction is the 'final boss' of Portuguese grammar levels.