C1 · Advanced Chapter 8

Achieving Objectivity in Writing

5 Total Rules
52 examples
6 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of professional detachment to communicate with authority and academic precision in Portuguese.

  • Employ impersonal structures to remove subjective bias.
  • Apply the 'se' particle to create sophisticated passive voice constructions.
  • Utilize formal research terminology for data-driven presentations.
Elevate your voice to professional authority.

What You'll Learn

Ready to take a monumental leap in your Portuguese journey? This chapter is a game-changer! We're diving into what truly transforms your Portuguese from 'good' to 'great': achieving objectivity in writing. Here, you'll learn to move beyond personal opinions like 'I think...' to express yourself with the unbiased authority of a seasoned professional. What specifically will you master? You'll conquer impersonal expressions such as É preciso (it's necessary) and É importante (it's important), lending a professional and authoritative tone to your communication. We'll delve deep into the formal passive voice with se, understanding how to transform subjects into objects for an impeccably neutral and academic style. You'll identify and expertly use impersonal verbs like Haver in formal contexts, giving your words significant weight. You'll even learn how to employ formal phrases for data presentation, saying 'it was observed' instead of 'I saw.' Why is this crucial? Imagine writing a vital business report in Portuguese, presenting at a scientific conference, or engaging in a high-level discussion where conveying information with authority, precision, and undeniable objectivity is paramount. This chapter provides the exact tools you need to achieve just that. By the end, you won't just be a good Portuguese speaker; you'll be able to present information like a master, manage complex discussions, and articulate your thoughts in any professional or academic setting with unparalleled credibility and power. Ready to elevate your Portuguese to truly sophisticated heights? Let's go!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Transform subjective opinions into objective, formal statements.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Welcome to a pivotal chapter in your journey to mastering C1 Portuguese grammar! This guide is designed to elevate your writing from merely good to truly exceptional, focusing on the art of achieving objectivity. As you progress in Portuguese grammar, moving beyond personal opinions and subjective statements becomes essential, especially in professional and academic contexts. This chapter will equip you with the tools to express yourself with the unbiased authority of a seasoned professional. You’ll learn to master impersonal expressions like É preciso (it’s necessary) and É importante (it’s important), lending a powerful, authoritative tone to your communication. We’ll delve deep into the formal passive voice with se, understanding how to transform subjects into objects for an impeccably neutral and academic style. By the end, you'll not only understand these complex structures but also wield them to present information, manage discussions, and articulate thoughts with unparalleled credibility. This is your gateway to advanced Portuguese writing, preparing you for high-level discourse in any setting.

How This Grammar Works

Achieving objectivity in C1 Portuguese writing hinges on several key grammatical structures that shift focus from the speaker to the information itself. First, Impersonal Expressions like É preciso (it’s necessary) and É importante (it’s important) are fundamental. They present a statement as a general truth or an objective requirement, rather than a personal belief. For example, instead of "Eu acho que devemos agir" (I think we should act), you'd say, "É preciso agir" (It's necessary to act), which carries more weight. Similarly, "É importante considerar todos os ângulos" (It's important to consider all angles) conveys an objective truth.
Next, the Formal & Academic Passive (The 'Se' Particle) is crucial. This construction, often called the impersonal or passive se, removes the agent from the action, making the statement general and objective. It’s formed by adding se to the verb, which then agrees with the noun it refers to. For instance, "Vendem-se carros aqui" (Cars are sold here / One sells cars here) focuses on the action of selling cars, not who is doing the selling. This is widely used in official documents and academic papers.
We also explore Portuguese Formal Impersonal Verbs, particularly Haver. In formal contexts, haver is used impersonally to mean "there is/are," as in "Há muitas razões para essa conclusão" (There are many reasons for this conclusion). This contrasts with the more informal ter, often used in spoken Portuguese.
Finally, Formal Research Phrases: Presenting Data Like a Pro are essential for academic and professional reporting. Phrases such as "Observou-se que..." (It was observed that...), "Verificou-se que..." (It was verified that...), or "Constatou-se que..." (It was found that...) allow you to present findings objectively, attributing the observation to a general process rather than a specific individual. For example, "Verificou-se que os dados são consistentes" (It was verified that the data are consistent) lends credibility and formality to your report. Mastering these tools will significantly enhance your ability to write with authority and precision.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1✗ Wrong: Eu acho que é necessário mais investigação.
(I think that more investigation is necessary.)
✓ Correct: É necessário mais investigação.
(More investigation is necessary.)
*Explanation:* The first version is subjective, starting with "Eu acho" (I think). The correct version uses the impersonal expression É necessário to present the statement as an objective fact or requirement, lending more authority and formality to the writing.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: Os problemas resolvem-se facilmente.
(The problems solve themselves easily.)
✓ Correct: Os problemas resolvem-se facilmente.
(The problems are easily solved / One easily solves the problems.)
*Explanation:* While the Portuguese sentence looks the same, the common mistake is interpreting the se as reflexive ("solve themselves") instead of the impersonal/passive se. The correct understanding is that the problems *are solved* by an unspecified agent, which is the objective and formal use of the se particle.
  1. 1✗ Wrong: Tem muitas opções disponíveis.
(It has many options available.)
✓ Correct: Há muitas opções disponíveis.
(There are many options available.)
*Explanation:* In formal and academic Portuguese writing, haver is the correct impersonal verb to express existence ("there is/are"). While ter is frequently used impersonally in informal spoken Portuguese, it should be avoided in C1-level objective writing.

Real Conversations

A

A

Para o novo regulamento, é preciso que todos os departamentos estejam alinhados. (For the new regulation, it's necessary that all departments are aligned.)
B

B

Concordo. É importante que a comunicação seja clara e eficiente. (I agree. It's important that the communication be clear and efficient.)
A

A

No último estudo, verificou-se uma correlação significativa entre as variáveis. (In the last study, a significant correlation between the variables was verified.)
B

B

Interessante. Observou-se alguma divergência nos resultados preliminares? (Interesting. Was any divergence observed in the preliminary results?)

Quick FAQ

Q

How can I make my Portuguese writing sound more formal and less personal, especially at a C1 level?

To achieve a C1 level of objectivity, focus on using impersonal expressions like É preciso and É importante, the formal se passive voice, and impersonal verbs such as haver for existence. Also, incorporate formal research phrases like Observou-se que....

Q

What's the main difference between using "se" for reflexivity and for objectivity/passivity in Portuguese grammar?

When se is reflexive, it indicates the subject performs an action on itself (Ele lavou-se - He washed himself). When used for objectivity or passivity, se indicates an action without specifying the agent, or that an action is performed on an object, making the sentence impersonal (Vendem-se casas - Houses are sold).

Q

Is it ever acceptable to use "ter" instead of "haver" to mean "there is/are" in formal Portuguese writing?

While ter is very common in informal spoken Portuguese to mean "there is/are" (Tem muita gente), in formal and academic writing, haver (e.g., Há muita gente) is the correct and preferred choice for expressing existence impersonally.

Q

Besides "É preciso" and "É importante," what are some other common impersonal expressions for formal Portuguese writing?

Other useful impersonal expressions include É necessário (it's necessary), É fundamental (it's fundamental), É evidente que (it's evident that), Convém (it's advisable), and Urge (it's urgent).

Cultural Context

In both European and Brazilian Portuguese, these objective structures are highly valued in academic, scientific, legal, and business contexts. While informal conversation might lean towards simpler, more personal phrasing (e.g., "Eu acho" or "Tem"), mastering these impersonal forms is crucial for conveying credibility and authority in any professional written communication. They demonstrate a sophisticated command of the language, signaling a high level of linguistic proficiency and an understanding of the nuances expected in formal discourse.

Key Examples (8)

1

É fundamental que verifiquem o link antes da call no Zoom.

It is fundamental that you check the link before the Zoom call.

Impersonal Expressions: Sounding Professional (É preciso, É importante)
2

Diz-se que o algoritmo do TikTok mudou novamente esta semana.

It is said that the TikTok algorithm changed again this week.

Impersonal Expressions: Sounding Professional (É preciso, É importante)
3

Observou-se uma tendência de queda nos preços durante o último trimestre.

A downward trend in prices was observed during the last quarter.

Formal & Academic Passive (The 'Se' Particle)
4

Vendem-se casas antigas no centro histórico por preços acessíveis.

Old houses in the historic center are being sold at affordable prices.

Formal & Academic Passive (The 'Se' Particle)
5

Observa-se um aumento significativo no engajamento das redes sociais.

A significant increase in social media engagement is observed.

Portuguese Objectivity: Impersonal and Formal Writing (se)
6

Concluiu-se que o software necessita de uma atualização imediata.

It was concluded that the software needs an immediate update.

Portuguese Objectivity: Impersonal and Formal Writing (se)
7

`Diz-se` que o mercado irá estabilizar no próximo trimestre.

It is said that the market will stabilize in the next quarter.

Portuguese Formal Impersonal Verbs (Haver, Se)
8

`Trata-se de` uma questão de ética profissional.

It is a matter of professional ethics.

Portuguese Formal Impersonal Verbs (Haver, Se)

Tips & Tricks (4)

💡

Focus on the 'Que'

Whenever you see 'que' after an impersonal expression, prepare to use the subjunctive.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Impersonal Expressions: Sounding Professional (É preciso, É importante)
💡

Check the subject

Always look for the subject. If it's plural, the verb must be plural.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Formal & Academic Passive (The 'Se' Particle)
💡

Check the object

Always look for the object to decide if the verb should be plural.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Objectivity: Impersonal and Formal Writing (se)
💡

Check the Object

For passive 'se', always look at the object to decide if the verb is singular or plural.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Formal Impersonal Verbs (Haver, Se)

Key Vocabulary (5)

imprescindível essential/indispensable constatar to observe/verify inexistente nonexistent imparcialidade impartiality evidenciar to highlight/prove

Real-World Preview

briefcase

Business Reporting

Review Summary

  • É + [adjective] + [infinitive]
  • Verb (3rd person) + se
  • Houve (impersonal)

Common Mistakes

The verb 'haver' in the sense of 'to exist' is impersonal and should not be pluralized.

Wrong: Houveram muitos problemas.
Correct: Houve muitos problemas.

Avoid personal pronouns like 'Eu' in formal writing; use impersonal structures instead.

Wrong: Eu penso que é necessário.
Correct: É necessário que se analise...

When using the passive 'se', the verb must agree with the object (casas).

Wrong: Se vende casas aqui.
Correct: Vendem-se casas aqui.

Next Steps

You have made incredible progress. Your professional Portuguese is now reaching a level that commands respect!

Write a formal summary of a news article.

Continue to: Professional Correspondence and Etiquette

Quick Practice (10)

Choose the correct sentence.

Which is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: É preciso estudar.
No preposition needed for infinitive.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Impersonal Expressions: Sounding Professional (É preciso, É importante)

Fill in the blank.

___-se casas nesta rua.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vendem
Plural object requires plural verb.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Objectivity: Impersonal and Formal Writing (se)

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Aluga-se apartamentos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Alugam-se apartamentos
Agreement error.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Objectivity: Impersonal and Formal Writing (se)

Choose the correct form.

Qual é a forma correta?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vive-se bem aqui
Indeterminate is singular.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Objectivity: Impersonal and Formal Writing (se)

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Trabalham-se muito nesta empresa.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Trabalha-se muito nesta empresa
Impersonal passive is singular.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Formal & Academic Passive (The 'Se' Particle)

Select the best verb.

Os dados ___ a teoria.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: evidenciam
Evidenciar is the most formal.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Formal Research Phrases: Presenting Data Like a Pro

Choose the correct passive construction.

___ casas para alugar.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Alugam-se
Casas is plural, so the verb must be plural.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Portuguese Formal Impersonal Verbs (Haver, Se)

Correct the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

Aluga-se apartamentos.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Alugam-se apartamentos
Apartamentos is plural.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Formal & Academic Passive (The 'Se' Particle)

Select the formal version.

Which is more formal?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Vende-se casa
Passive se is formal.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Formal & Academic Passive (The 'Se' Particle)

Fill in the correct verb form.

___-se que a economia vai melhorar. (acreditar)

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Acredita
Impersonal passive.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Formal & Academic Passive (The 'Se' Particle)

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

The subjunctive expresses necessity, opinion, or doubt, which are the core functions of these impersonal expressions.
Only in very informal speech, but it is considered incorrect in professional writing.
No, only transitive verbs for the synthetic passive, and intransitive verbs for the impersonal passive.
The verb must agree with the subject in the synthetic passive.
It's better to avoid it in casual speech as it sounds too formal.
Because 'casas' is plural.
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Structuring Formal Arguments
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Professional Correspondence and Etiquette
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