Se vendieron todos los coches usados.

Question

http://www.123teachme.com/learn_spanish/node/11290

Se vendieron todos los coches usados.

Is this sentence impersonal or passive? On this website, it says impersonal, but I think it's passive. Is this website wrong or I am wrong?

Answer 1

All of the used cars were sold.

It´s passive voice, which is sometimes described as "impersonal."

It that because the subject/agent is usually not mentioned? - 0074b507, Jan 11, 2012

Exactly! - 005faa61, Jan 11, 2012

Answer 2

If it were impersonal the verb would have to be 3rd person, singular. It must be passive voice for the verb to be plural.

Impersonal voice using se will use a singular verb since the se can be replaced by uno ("one").

[disclaimer: impersonal can also be the impersonal "they" which does not use the reflexive pronoun se, but does use a plural verb, or impersonal you using tú, but I'm trying to read between the lines.)

the impersonal and passive se

"Passive voice" is a grammatical term, which is the case here due to "se." I don´t believe "impersonal" is a proper grammatical term, but wth "they" as the subject, it would be impersonal as you have suggested. Goodnight, Ohio! - 005faa61, Jan 11, 2012

Muchas gracias. - zhmelissa, Jan 11, 2012

Answer 3

Melissa , have a good read through this thread from Lazarus. In fact, I see you commented on it at the time!

Lazarus article on impersonal/passive

I have read and re-read this over and over lol. This is the guide I now use for determining impersonal and passive statements. Same as you, I have also noticed many websites that seem to get the use of impersonal/passive either confusing, at best, or actually wrong!

Go by what Lazarus says, and you won't go far wrong

In answer to your question, I believe it is an impersonal sentence, making use of the passive 'se'. That is 3rd person plural and a subject (cars) but no agent involved.

Take care.

Thanks a lot. - zhmelissa, Jan 11, 2012

you are very welcome - billygoat, Jan 11, 2012