The Pronominal Passive
In English, we often use the passive voice when we don't know (or don't care) who is performing an action, like saying "The myth is told" or "The dance is watched."
While French has a passive voice, it is used much less frequently. Instead, when talking about inanimate objects (things, concepts, or places), French naturally uses the pronominal passive (la forme pronominale de sens passif).
How to Form It
To create this structure, make the inanimate object the subject of the sentence and add the reflexive pronoun se. The verb is then conjugated in the third person to match the subject.
| This myth has been told orally since the last century. | Ce mythe se raconte oralement depuis le siècle dernier. |
| A myth isn't read, it is lived! | Un mythe ne se lit pas, il se vit ! |
| This belief is found all over the world. | Cette croyance se trouve dans le monde entier. |
Plural Subjects
If the inanimate subject is plural, simply conjugate the verb in the third-person plural (ils/elles form).
| Old beliefs are being lost today. | Les vieilles croyances se perdent aujourd'hui. |
Verbs Starting with Vowels
Just like with regular reflexive verbs, remember that se drops its e and becomes s' before a verb starting with a vowel or a mute h.
| The custom is learned orally. | La coutume s'apprend oralement. |
| The chant can be heard from afar. | Le chant s'entend de loin. |
Expressing "Can Be" or General Rules
This reflexive structure is incredibly versatile. Depending on the context, it can describe a general rule for how a traditional custom is practiced, or it can express that something can be done.
| The storyteller's story is easily understood. | L'histoire du conteur se comprend facilement. |
| The regional dish is eaten hot. | Le plat régional se mange chaud. |
