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Shifting Focus: Passives and Emphasis
Impersonal Structures: 'One can' and 'It is possible' (می‌شود / می‌توان)

1 Persian Passive Voice: How things are done (shodan) 2 Passive Voice: The 'Shodan' Switch 3 Impersonal Structures: 'One can' and 'It is possible' (می‌شود / می‌توان) 4 Each Other: Reciprocal Pronouns (hamdigar) 5 Persian Word Order: Moving Words for Emphasis

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B2 Sentence Structure 10 min read Easy

Impersonal Structures: 'One can' and 'It is possible' (می‌شود / می‌توان)

Impersonal constructions allow you to express general rules and possibilities without needing a specific subject.

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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use 'می‌شود' for possibility and 'می‌توان' for general ability to express actions without specifying a subject.

Use 'می‌شود' (it is possible) + infinitive for general permission or possibility: 'می‌شود اینجا نشست؟' (Is it possible to sit here?)
Use 'می‌توان' (one can) + infinitive for general ability or capability: 'می‌توان این کار را انجام داد' (One can do this task).
Both structures remain impersonal, meaning they do not conjugate for the subject (I, you, he/she).

می‌شود / می‌توان + [Verb in Infinitive Form]

Overview

Persian grammar frequently employs structures that articulate possibility, capability, or permission without specifying a direct agent. These are known as impersonal constructions, primarily centered around the modal verbs می‌توان (mī-tavān) and می‌شود (mī-šavad). Understanding these constructions is pivotal for upper-intermediate (B2) learners, as they enable expression beyond simple subject-verb-object patterns, facilitating nuanced communication common in academic, professional, and formal contexts.

They allow for generalizations, rules, instructions, and polite suggestions, shifting focus from who performs an action to the possibility or condition of the action itself. For instance, instead of stating شما می‌توانید وارد شوید (You can enter), an impersonal construction offers می‌توان وارد شد (One can enter) or می‌شود وارد شد (It is possible to enter), providing a more objective and less direct phrasing.

These structures are not merely stylistic choices; they reflect a fundamental aspect of Persian linguistic thought that prioritizes the action or state over the actor in certain contexts. This is particularly evident in formal writing, public announcements, and academic discourse, where precision and objectivity are paramount. Mastering می‌توان and می‌شود allows you to communicate instructions, discuss societal norms, or describe general truths in a manner congruent with native Persian speakers, moving your language proficiency beyond basic conversational exchanges.

How This Grammar Works

At its core, the impersonal construction removes the necessity of a grammatical subject for the main action. The verbs می‌توان and می‌شود act as impersonal modals, conveying a sense of potential or enablement that is inherent to the situation or universally applicable, rather than tied to a specific person. Both translate broadly to 'one can,' 'it is possible,' or 'it is allowed,' but their usage depends on formality, emphasis, and the type of possibility being expressed.

می‌توان (mī-tavān): The Formal Potential

می‌توان inherently carries a sense of capability, potential, or general allowance. It is the more formal of the two and remains uninflected, meaning its form does not change regardless of the implied or theoretical agent. It emphasizes the inherent possibility within a situation or a general truth, often encountered in written Persian, official statements, and academic texts.

This form is often used when the capability is intrinsic or established, such as a law or a scientific principle. For example, در اینجا می‌توان آب تصفیه کرد (Here, one can purify water) implies a general capability or a facility that enables purification.

می‌شود (mī-šavad): The Situational Possibility/Permission

می‌شود, meaning 'it becomes' or 'it happens,' takes on an impersonal modal function to express situational possibility or permission. It is more common in spoken and informal written Persian, often appearing in its colloquial form می‌شه (mī-še). This construction focuses on the immediate, practical, or contextual possibility of an action.

It implies that 'it is possible under these circumstances' or 'it is permitted.' For example, از این خیابان می‌شود به میدان آزادی رفت (From this street, one can go to Azadi Square) describes a practical route, a situational possibility. Its connection to the verb شدن (šodan – to become, to happen) hints at the idea of something coming into existence or becoming feasible.

The choice between می‌توان and می‌شود often hinges on the desired level of formality and the nature of the possibility. می‌توان is typically used for stating universal truths, established capabilities, or formal instructions, while می‌شود is for more contingent, everyday possibilities or permissions.

Word Order Rules

The sentence structure for impersonal constructions in Persian is relatively fixed, largely due to the absence of a discernible subject for the action verb. The impersonal modal (می‌توان or می‌شود) typically initiates the verb phrase, establishing the modality before the main action is introduced. Any objects, adverbs, or prepositional phrases relating to the main action usually precede it, maintaining the general Persian preference for complements to appear before the verb they modify.

The basic structure is as follows:

Formal (with می‌توان):

```

(Adverbial/Object Phrases) + می‌توان + Short Infinitive of Main Verb

```

Example

در این مکان نمی‌توان سیگار کشید. (In this place, one cannot smoke.)

در این مکان (adverbial phrase) + نمی‌توان (impersonal modal) + کشید (short infinitive of کشیدن – to smoke).

Colloquial/Informal (with می‌شود / می‌شه):

```

(Adverbial/Object Phrases) + می‌شود/می‌شه + Present Subjunctive (usually 3rd person singular) of Main Verb

```

Example

این برنامه رو می‌شه نصب کرد؟ (Can this program be installed?)

این برنامه رو (object) + می‌شه (colloquial impersonal modal) + نصب کرد (present subjunctive, compound verb نصب کردن – to install).

Key points regarding word order:

Main Verb Position: The main action verb (short infinitive or subjunctive) always follows می‌توان or می‌شود. Placing it before the modal creates an ungrammatical sentence. For example, سیگار کشید نمی‌توان is incorrect.
Object Placement: Direct objects and other complements are generally placed between the modal verb and the main action verb. In formal writing, objects typically precede می‌توان. In colloquial speech with می‌شود, this order is also preferred. For instance, بلیت را می‌شود تهیه کرد؟ (Is it possible to purchase the ticket?) is standard.
Emphasis: While Persian is flexible with word order for emphasis, these impersonal structures are less so. Shifting elements significantly can obscure the impersonal nature or create ambiguity. Maintaining the described order ensures clarity.

Formation Pattern

Forming impersonal sentences with می‌توان and می‌شود involves combining the appropriate modal verb with the correct form of the main action verb. The choice of the main verb form is crucial and distinguishes between formal and informal registers.

1. Formal Construction with می‌توان

This construction uses the short infinitive of the main verb. The short infinitive is derived by removing the final ن (nūn) from the full infinitive form. For example, from رفتن (raftan – to go), the short infinitive is رفت (raft). The modal می‌توان remains constant, regardless of tense or negation.

| :--------- | :------------- | :----------------- | :--------------- | :--------------- | :---------- |

Negation: Add نـ (na-) before می‌توان.

نمی‌توان رفت (nā-mī-tavān raft) – One cannot go.

Past Tense: Change می‌توان to می‌توانست (mī-tavānest).

می‌توانست رفت (mī-tavānest raft) – One could go (it was possible to go).

نمی‌توانست دید (nā-mī-tavānest dīd) – One could not see.

Compound Verbs: For compound verbs (e.g., تماشا کردن – to watch), the کردن (kardan) component becomes the short infinitive, or its equivalent. For instance, می‌توان تماشا کرد (mī-tavān tamāšā kard) – One can watch.

2. Informal/Colloquial Construction with می‌شود / می‌شه

This construction primarily uses the present subjunctive form of the main verb, typically in the 3rd person singular (بـ + present stem + د). The modal می‌شود often contracts to می‌شه in spoken Persian.

| :--------- | :---------------- | :----------------- | :----------- | :------------------------- | :--------------- | :----------------- |

Negation: Add نـ (na-) before می‌شود/می‌شه.

نمی‌شود دید (nā-mī-šavad dīd) – It is not possible to see.

نمی‌شه رفت (nā-mī-še raft) – It's not possible to go.

Past Tense: Change می‌شود to می‌شد (mī-šod).

می‌شد رفت (mī-šod raft) – It was possible to go.

نمی‌شد خرید (nā-mī-šod xarīd) – It was not possible to buy.

Important Note on می‌شود with Subjunctive: While می‌شود + subjunctive implies impersonality, in casual speech, it can also be used with an implied subject when the context is clear. For example, می‌شه بری؟ (Can you go?) where می‌شه functions as a casual way to ask permission from تو (you). However, in strict impersonal usage, the implicit actor is 'one' or 'it.' The crucial distinction lies in the short infinitive for formal impersonal می‌توان vs. the subjunctive for informal impersonal می‌شود.

When To Use It

Impersonal structures are versatile tools in Persian, allowing you to express various modalities with an objective or generalized tone. Their usage extends across multiple contexts, from formal writing to everyday polite inquiries.

1General Statements and Universal Truths: When discussing facts, rules, or observations that apply universally or to an unspecified agent, می‌توان is the preferred choice, especially in formal settings. This lends authority and objectivity to the statement.

از طریق اینترنت می‌توان به اطلاعات زیادی دسترسی پیدا کرد. (mī-tavān be etelā'āt-e ziyādī dastrasī peydā kard.) – Through the internet, one can access a lot of information.
با رعایت اصول تغذیه سالم می‌توان عمر طولانی‌تری داشت. (bā re'āyat-e osul-e taqziye-ye sālem mī-tavān omr-e tulānī-tarī dāšt.) – By observing principles of healthy eating, one can have a longer life.

1Instructions, Guidelines, and Public Announcements: For conveying directives or information that applies to anyone within a given context, impersonal constructions are ideal. می‌توان offers formality, while می‌شود is suitable for less formal instructions.

لطفاً قبل از خروج، درها را بست. (lotfan qabl az xoruj, dar-hā rā bast.) – Please, before leaving, the doors are to be closed. (This is another impersonal structure, related to obligation, but illustrates the general context.)
از این مسیر می‌توان به کتابخانه رسید. (az in masir mī-tavān be ketābxāne rasīd.) – From this path, one can reach the library. (A formal direction).
اینجا می‌شه عکس گرفت؟ (injā mī-še aks gereft?) – Is it possible to take photos here? (A casual inquiry about permission).

1Polite Requests or Inquiries: می‌شود (or می‌شه) is particularly useful for making requests or asking about possibilities in a polite, less direct manner, avoiding direct commands or personal responsibility. This is very common in everyday interactions.

می‌شه کمکم کنید؟ (mī-še komakam konid?) – Is it possible (for you) to help me? (Very common, literally 'Can it be helped me?').
بلیت‌ها رو می‌شه آنلاین خرید؟ (belit-hā ro mī-še onlāyn xarīd?) – Is it possible to buy the tickets online?

1Describing Limitations or Impossibilities: Both forms can be negated to express what is not possible or not permitted, maintaining their respective formal and informal tones.

در این شرایط نمی‌توان این پروژه را به اتمام رساند. (dar in šarāyet nā-mī-tavān in prože rā be etmām resānd.) – Under these conditions, one cannot complete this project.
این ساعت دیگه نمی‌شه رفت بازار. (in sā'at dige nā-mī-še raft bāzār.) – At this hour, it's no longer possible to go to the bazaar.

1Scientific or Technical Explanations: In scientific papers or technical manuals, می‌توان provides a formal and objective way to describe processes, capabilities, or findings without attributing them to a specific researcher or entity.

با استفاده از این روش می‌توان دقت اندازه‌گیری را افزایش داد. (bā estefāde az in ravesh mī-tavān deqqat-e andāzegīrī rā afzāyeš dād.) – By using this method, one can increase measurement accuracy.

Common Mistakes

Learners often encounter specific pitfalls when navigating impersonal constructions. Recognizing these common errors and understanding their underlying causes will significantly improve your fluency and accuracy.

1Over-conjugating the Short Infinitive with می‌توان: This is perhaps the most frequent mistake. The short infinitive (رفت, دید, نوشت) is invariant in impersonal constructions with می‌توان. It does not conjugate for person, number, or even tense (as می‌توان carries the tense). Attempting to add personal endings (می‌توان رفتند, می‌توان رفتی) is incorrect.

Incorrect: در این موزه می‌توان آثار نادری را دیدند. (Over-conjugating دیدن)
Correct: در این موزه می‌توان آثار نادری را دید. (The short infinitive دید remains constant.)
Why it's wrong: The short infinitive acts as a noun here, referring to the action itself, not a conjugated verb. می‌توان is the only verb inflected for modality/tense.

1Confusing Formality and Usage of می‌توان vs. می‌شود: While both express possibility, their contexts differ. Using می‌توان in casual conversation can sound overly formal, even stilted. Conversely, using می‌شود/می‌شه in formal academic writing may undermine the text's authoritative tone.

Contextual Mismatch: Imagine asking a friend: می‌توان به سینما رفت؟ (Can one go to the cinema?). While grammatically correct, می‌شه بریم سینما؟ (Can we go to the cinema?) is far more natural.
Why it's wrong: It's not strictly ungrammatical, but it demonstrates a lack of register awareness, making your Persian sound unnatural.

1Incorrect Placement of Negation: Negation (نـ) always attaches to the modal verb (می‌توان or می‌شود), not the main action verb.

Incorrect: می‌توان نرفت. (Negating the short infinitive)
Correct: نمی‌توان رفت. (Negating می‌توان)
Why it's wrong: The negation applies to the possibility/capability itself, not to the act of going. 'It is not possible to go,' not 'It is possible to not go.'

1Misunderstanding the Role of the Subjunctive with می‌شود: While می‌شود + subjunctive is impersonal, the subjunctive form itself can be used impersonally or with an implied subject in informal speech. The mistake often lies in failing to recognize the specific impersonal structure when the subjunctive is present.

Incorrect (if strictly impersonal intended): می‌شه من بروم؟ (Can I go?) - This is actually a correct, personal usage of می‌شه asking permission. The mistake is thinking it's an impersonal construction when a specific

Impersonal Structure Formation

Form	Verb	Infinitive	Example
Affirmative	می‌شود	رفتن	می‌شود رفت
Negative	نمی‌شود	رفتن	نمی‌شود رفت
Interrogative	می‌شود	رفتن	می‌شود رفت؟
Affirmative	می‌توان	کردن	می‌توان کرد
Negative	نمی‌توان	کردن	نمی‌توان کرد
Interrogative	می‌توان	کردن	می‌توان کرد؟

Meanings

These structures allow speakers to express actions, possibilities, or permissions without needing to identify a specific person (I, you, we).

General Ability

Expressing what is generally possible or doable.

“می‌توان به زبان فارسی صحبت کرد.”

“می‌توان این مشکل را حل کرد.”

Permission/Possibility

Asking if something is allowed or possible.

“آیا می‌شود وارد شد؟”

“می‌شود پنجره را باز کرد؟”

Reference Table

Reference table for Impersonal Structures: 'One can' and 'It is possible' (می‌شود / می‌توان)
Form	Structure	Example
Affirmative	می‌شود + Inf	می‌شود پرسید
Negative	نمی‌شود + Inf	نمی‌شود پرسید
Question	می‌شود + Inf + ?	می‌شود پرسید؟
Ability	می‌توان + Inf	می‌توان دید
Negative Ability	نمی‌توان + Inf	نمی‌توان دید
Past Possibility	می‌شد + Inf	می‌شد انجام داد

Formality Spectrum

Formal

آیا امکان ورود وجود دارد؟

آیا امکان ورود وجود دارد؟ (Entering a room)

Neutral

می‌شود وارد شد؟

می‌شود وارد شد؟ (Entering a room)

Informal

میشه اومد تو؟

میشه اومد تو؟ (Entering a room)

Slang

میشه پرید تو؟

میشه پرید تو؟ (Entering a room)

Impersonal Usage Map

Impersonal

Permission

می‌شود It is allowed

Ability

می‌توان It is possible

Examples by Level

می‌شود نشست؟

Is it possible to sit?

اینجا نمی‌شود سیگار کشید.

It is not allowed to smoke here.

می‌توان این کتاب را خواند.

One can read this book.

آیا می‌شود از اینترنت استفاده کرد؟

Is it possible to use the internet?

می‌توان به نتایج بهتری دست یافت.

Better results can be achieved.

نمی‌شود به سادگی از این حقیقت گذشت.

One cannot simply overlook this truth.

Easily Confused

Impersonal Structures: 'One can' and 'It is possible' (می‌شود / می‌توان) vs توانستن (Personal)

Learners mix up 'I can' with 'It is possible'.

Common Mistakes

✗

من می‌شود رفت

✓

می‌شود رفت

Do not add a subject pronoun.

✗

می‌شود می‌روم

✓

می‌شود رفت

Use the infinitive, not a conjugated verb.

✗

می‌توانم رفت

✓

می‌توان رفت

The verb is impersonal; do not conjugate 'توانستن'.

✗

می‌شود که رفت

✓

می‌شود رفت

The 'که' is unnecessary and clunky.

Sentence Patterns

می‌شود ___ کرد؟

Real World Usage

Public Signage constant

پارک کردن ممنوع است (نمی‌شود پارک کرد)

Texting very common

میشه بیای؟

💡

Keep it simple

Don't overthink the subject. If you don't need to specify who, use the impersonal form.

Smart Tips

Use 'می‌شود' to sound polite.

من می‌توانم وارد شوم؟ → می‌شود وارد شد؟

Pronunciation

mi-sha-vad...?

Intonation

In questions, raise the pitch at the end of the sentence.

Question

می‌شود رفت؟ ↑

Rising intonation indicates a question.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'می‌شود' as a 'gatekeeper' (is it allowed?) and 'می‌توان' as a 'toolbox' (is it possible?).

Visual Association

Imagine a sign at a park: 'می‌شود' is the green light for walking, 'می‌توان' is the map showing you the path.

Rhyme

می‌شود برای اجازه، می‌توان برای توان، این دو هستند در فارسی، خیلی خیلی آسان.

Story

Ali enters a museum. He asks 'می‌شود عکس گرفت؟' (Is it allowed to take photos?). The guard says 'نمی‌شود'. Ali then asks 'می‌توان اینجا نشست؟' (Is it possible to sit here?). The guard says 'می‌توان'.

Word Web

می‌شودمی‌تواننمی‌شودنمی‌تواناجازهامکان

Challenge

Write 5 sentences about things you can or cannot do in your city using these structures.

Cultural Notes

In spoken Tehrani, 'می‌شود' is almost always contracted to 'میشه'.

Derived from the verb 'شدن' (to become) and 'توانستن' (to be able).

Conversation Starters

“

می‌شود در این شهر پیاده‌روی کرد؟

Journal Prompts

Describe the rules of your favorite park.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Test Yourself

Fill in the blank.

آیا ___ اینجا نشست؟

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: می‌شود

Requires impersonal permission.

Score: /1

Practice Exercises

1 exercises

Fill in the blank.

آیا ___ اینجا نشست؟

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: می‌شود

Requires impersonal permission.

Score: /1