grammar.verbs.passive-se-vs-ser
Se vende vs fue vendido: choosing a passive
The se passive (se venden casas) hides the agent and rules conversation, signs, and instructions; the ser passive allows naming the agent and suits formal writing.
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Explanation
Se + third-person verb agreeing with the thing: se vende esta casa, se necesitan empleados, aquí se habla español. No agent can be expressed — that's the point.
Choose ser + participle when you must say who did it (fue comprada por un fondo) or in journalistic/legal style. In speech, se wins by a wide margin.
Examples
Se alquilan departamentos amoblados.
Furnished apartments for rent.
Furnished apartments for rent.
Region: global
La empresa fue adquirida por un grupo chileno.
The company was acquired by a Chilean group.
The company was acquired by a Chilean group.
Region: global