Breakdown of Se comenta que el chisme desató el caos.
que
that / than
se
(impersonal) one / passive marker
comentar
to comment
el chisme
gossip
Questions & Answers about Se comenta que el chisme desató el caos.
Why do we use the indicative desató instead of the subjunctive after se comenta que?
Even though it is an impersonal expression, se comenta que (it is commented that / people say that) reports information. Verbs of reporting or communication take the indicative in the affirmative. If it were negative, like no se comenta que, it would introduce doubt and trigger the subjunctive.
What is the literal meaning of desató?
Could I translate se comenta as 'people comment' instead of 'it is commented'?
Absolutely. In English, 'it is commented' can sound a bit stiff. The impersonal se is often the most natural way to express 'people say', 'they say', or 'rumor has it' in Spanish, because it focuses on the action rather than a specific subject.