Impersonal Style in Academic Writing
Academic texts rarely say "I think" or "I did". They use impersonal forms like cómpre sinalar (it should be noted) and considérase que (it is considered that).
How It Works
Why be impersonal?
In academic and formal writing the focus is on the facts, not on the writer. Galician has several ways to keep the writer out of sight.
1. Cómpre + infinitive
Cómpre means "it is necessary": Cómpre sinalar que os datos son provisionais (it should be noted that the data are provisional). The infinitive follows directly, with no preposition.
2. Se with the verb
- Impersonal se, with a que clause or no object: Considérase que a mostra é representativa (the sample is considered representative). See impersonal se.
- Passive se, where the verb agrees with the noun: Analizouse unha enquisa, Analizáronse cen enquisas. See passive se.
Remember that the pronoun goes after the verb in a plain statement: Considérase que..., never Se considera que....
3. Set phrases
- como xa se dixo (as already stated)
- como se verá máis adiante (as will be seen below)
- pódese concluír que (it can be concluded that)
- neste capítulo descríbese... (this chapter describes...)
Also common: the "we" of the author (neste traballo analizamos) and making the text the subject (o estudo demostra que). Nominal style often goes together with these forms (see nominal style).
Examples (6)
- Cómpre sinalar que os datos son provisionais.
It should be noted that the data are provisional.
Cómpre + infinitive, with no preposition in between.
- Considérase que a mostra é representativa.
The sample is considered representative.
Impersonal se with a que clause; se goes after the verb.
- Como xa se dixo, o proceso ten tres fases.
As already stated, the process has three stages.
A fixed phrase that refers back to earlier text. Xa pulls se before the verb.
- Analizáronse cen enquisas en total.
A hundred surveys were analysed in total.
Passive se: the verb is plural because enquisas is plural.
- Neste capítulo descríbese o método empregado.
This chapter describes the method used.
Passive se with a singular noun, o método.
- Pódese concluír que a hipótese era correcta.
It can be concluded that the hypothesis was correct.
Poder + se + infinitive is a common way to state a conclusion.
Common Mistakes
Leaving the verb singular with a plural noun after passive se.
Analizouse cen enquisas.Analizáronse cen enquisas.With passive se, the verb agrees with the noun. Cen enquisas is plural, so the verb is plural.
Starting the sentence with se.
Se considera que a mostra é representativa.Considérase que a mostra é representativa.An unstressed pronoun never starts a sentence. In a plain statement, se goes after the verb.
Adding a preposition after cómpre.
Cómpre de sinalar que os datos son provisionais.Cómpre sinalar que os datos son provisionais.Cómpre is followed directly by the infinitive.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Academic impersonal style combines necessity expressions with impersonal or passive se.
Related Patterns
- Impersonal se
The impersonal se used in considérase que.
Level 3 - Nominal Style in Formal Writing
Nominal style often appears with impersonal forms in formal texts.
Level 6 - Infinitive Clauses After Verbs of Saying
Another compact pattern typical of formal writing.
Level 6 - en primeiro lugar / por último / en resumoStructuring a Text
Connectors that give an academic text its structure.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice Impersonal Style in Academic Writing in Bubblegum
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