Impersonal Expressions

Impersonal expressions are a useful tool in Portuguese for making general statements or expressing opinions without specifying the subject. They allow you to talk about an idea or concept without referring to a specific person or group of people. In this guide, we'll learn how to construct and use impersonal expressions effectively.

Formation of Impersonal Expressions

1. Verbs in the 3rd person singular: Impersonal expressions are commonly formed using verbs in the 3rd person singular, such as é (it is), parece (it seems), acontece (it happens), etc.

   Example:

   • É importante estudar. (It is important to study.)
   • Parece que vai chover. (It seems like it's going to rain.)
   • Acontece que não posso ir. (It happens that I can't go.)

2. Impersonal pronoun se: In some cases, impersonal expressions are formed using the impersonal pronoun se, followed by the verb in the 3rd person singular.

   Example:

   • Se vive bem nesta cidade. (One lives well in this city.)
   • Se fala muito espanhol aqui. (One speaks a lot of Spanish here.)

Using Impersonal Expressions

1. Expressing general truths or facts: Impersonal expressions are commonly used to express general truths or facts without specifying a particular subject.

   Example:

   • Chove muito no inverno. (It rains a lot in the winter.)
   • É preciso se alimentar bem. (It is necessary to eat well.)

2. Giving opinions: You can use impersonal expressions to give your opinion without directly attributing it to yourself.

   Example:

   • Acho que se aprende mais viajando. (I think one learns more by traveling.)
   • Dizem que o livro é interessante. (They say the book is interesting.)

3. Making recommendations or suggestions: Impersonal expressions can also be used to make recommendations or suggestions in a general manner.

   Example:

   • Deve-se evitar alimentos gordurosos. (One should avoid greasy foods.)
   • Recomenda-se visitar o museu. (It is recommended to visit the museum.)

Common Impersonal Expressions

Here are some common impersonal expressions that you can use in your Portuguese conversations:

• É possível (It is possible)
• É importante (It is important)
• É necessário (It is necessary)
• É proibido (It is prohibited)
• Parece que (It seems like)
• Acontece que (It happens that)
• Dizem que (They say that)
• Recomenda-se (It is recommended)

Recap

• Impersonal expressions allow you to make general statements or express opinions without specifying the subject.
• They are formed using verbs in the 3rd person singular or the impersonal pronoun se.
• Impersonal expressions are used to express general truths, give opinions, or make recommendations.
• Common impersonal expressions include é possível, é importante, é necessário, parece que, acontece que, dizem que, and recomenda-se.

By mastering impersonal expressions, you'll be able to convey general ideas and opinions in a clear and concise manner in Portuguese conversations.