Why is this impersonal se?

Question

Since guardar is a transitive verb, I assumed this would be passive...perhaps I am missing something? Or is this an error on SD?

Thanks for the explanations!

Answer 1

Oh, also it uses "guardan". I thought with impersonal, only third person singular was allowed?

Sunsmile, "guardar" is plural because "los libros" is plural. The sentence is passive voice.

Annie has given you an example of impersonal, which is not really a case but just a way to depersonalize a phrase by using 3rd person. To do this, we use only 3rd person plural. "Me han robado" ..... "They have robbed me."

Gracias, Julian :D - SonrisaDelSol, Oct 14, 2012

Thanks JUlian, I'm useles on grammar. - annierats, Oct 14, 2012

Answer 2

Oh, also it uses "guardan". I thought with impersonal, only third person singular was allowed?

No. Me han robado. I was robbed. It can be impersonal in third person plural. - annierats, Oct 14, 2012

:o this is news to me! Jeje - SonrisaDelSol, Oct 14, 2012

Sorry, se Julian's answer. Mine is in common use though,it happened to me, and that was what was said. Loudly! - annierats, Oct 14, 2012

Thanks so much for your feedback, anyway, Annie! I appreciate it. - SonrisaDelSol, Oct 14, 2012

Answer 3

Sunsmile, "guardar" is plural because "los libros" is plural. The sentence is passive voice.

So it appears there is an error in the quiz answers.