se me puede encontrar/puedo ser encontrado the same?

Question

would it be the same to say:

ella es conocida por su voz/
se le conoce por su voz?

se me puede encontrar en mi casa casi todo el tiempo/
puedo ser encontrado en mi casa casi todo el tiempo?

and obviously otras frases como this

Answer 1

The passive reflexive in Spanish is widely used, and one of the main reasons is we don't always idiomatically find correct to use ser + pasado participio.

It's important to mention the passive reflexive can only be used when the verb is transitive. (A verb taking a direct object.)

1. She is known for his voice. (= ella es conocida por su voz / se le conoce por su voz) — both of these are idiomatic.
2. I can be found at home. (= puedo ser encontrado en casa / se me puede encontrar en casa) — the former doesn't sound idiomatic unlike the latter.

Note in the construction of both sentences, the object pronouns le & me are used to show who are referring to. If removed, the utterances change their meaning.

Answer 2

Hi Cherry,

Here is an alternative link to the Active Passive Voice Guide, since the one that you posted is now broken

Best!

Answer 3

It has to do with the use of passive and active voice.
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_actpass.html

https://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/grammar/g_actpass.html is a broken link... You can find a version of the guide here: https://proofexchange.com/active-passive-voice-purdue-owl - ProofExchange, SEP 25, 2016

Answer 4

I think SE ME PUEDE ENCONTRAR IS INCORRECT... You can say: Pueden encontrarme en casa todo el tiempo.

I don't think so. - Deanski, ABR 8, 2011

Answer 5

Sure, and I wouldn't worry to much about this. It can be very confusing, even after studying it for a while.

Answer 6

ella es conocida por su voz ( used only for her ELLA)

se le conoce por su voz ( could be for he, she or it, EL. ELLA, ESE )

still confusing

Answer 7

¡De nada!

Answer 8

ella es conocida por su voz = she is known for her voice
se le conoce por su voz = one knows her for her voice
and so on.

Answer 9

si, son lo mismo

yes, they are the same