Impersonal (Passive) "se" with indirect and direct object pronouns
There was a similar question posted about the use of the impersonal (or passive) "se" otherwise known as the "passive reflexive marker" with the use of indirect and direct object pronouns. It is still confusing to me, so I am hoping that someone can provide some clarity.
For example, could someone please explain the construction and grammar in these sentences, specifically the "se le" use.
"Más tarde, al proceso se le acabará el tiempo de espera, generalmente
pasados dos minutos."
Cuando se le dan regalos a la gente.
Cuando se le dan esos a la gente
Todo empezó cuando no pudo tener una erección y se le acabó el tiempo.
1 Answer
I don't think the cases with acabarse are the same as dar in your examples:
Acabarse simply is a pronominal form used to say it runs itself out, to distinguish from the subject finishing something:
al proceso se le acabará el tiempo to/on the proces (itself=the time) (to/on it= the process) will run out the time.
Time will run (itself) out on the process.
se le acabó el tiempo
Similarly time ran out on him. Se= el tiempo, le= who is referred to earlier in the sentence, acabó is conjugated to el tiempo.
These next two are essentially the same sentence and are passive se:
Cuando se le dan regalos a la gente.
Cuando se le dan esos a la gente
When (themselves) (to them) give presents to the people.
You could put this as: When presents give themselves to the people. But it is not how you should really think of it (but I find it helps understanding things sometimes), so it becomes:
When presents are given to the people.
se = regalos, le= la gente and the verb is conjugated to regalos.
Hopefully this is helpful.
