The Fascinating World of the Indeterminate Subject

Entering the Discovery Portal

 "I heard that the stars in the big city are invisible. They say that in the countryside, the night is lit by billions of them. Who knows? People talk a lot, but could it be true?" - Anonymous

Quizz: 樂 Have you noticed how many times we use phrases like "I heard that..." or "They say that..." in our daily lives, especially on social media? Why do we choose to speak this way? How does this affect the way we interpret and share information?

Exploring the Surface

✨ Let's dive into the fascinating world of the indeterminate subject! This grammatical concept may seem complicated at first glance, but it's more present in our lives than we think. The indeterminate subject is used when we don't know, don't want, or don't need to specify who performs the action in the sentence. For example, in the phrase "They say it's going to rain tomorrow," we don't know exactly who is saying that.

 On social media, the indeterminate subject is omnipresent. Think about how often we use expressions like "It is said that...", "I heard that..." or "They say out there..." This type of phrase construction allows for quick communication and often keeps the source of information undefined, which generates curiosity and sometimes suspense. It’s a powerful and effective way to share information without directly attributing it to a source.

✨ The use of the indeterminate subject is also an essential tool in literature, journalism, and even in everyday conversations. It gives us the flexibility to communicate events and opinions without specifying the subject, which can be useful for various purposes, such as maintaining privacy or increasing mystery. Understanding and using the indeterminate subject accurately can enrich our written and oral communication, making it more engaging and dynamic.

What is an Indeterminate Subject? ️

Imagine you're at a dinner and someone starts talking about a person who just makes blunders. And then this person says: 'People say he's clumsy!' But wait... Who exactly is saying this? The neighbors, friends, aliens? 勞 This is the trick of the indeterminate subject! It allows saying that something has been said or done without needing to say who said or did it. It’s like a magic trick in the Portuguese language, where the responsibility dissipates in the air!

The indeterminate subject occurs when the verb appears in the third person plural (they) and the subject is not specified. For example, in 'They threw a surprise party for her.' Who threw it? Nobody knows! This creates a certain aura of mystery, and who doesn't love a good suspense, right? It can also happen with the verb in the third person singular accompanied by the pronoun 'se', as in 'Help is needed.' In this case, the action is more important than the subject.

Besides being an interesting grammatical tool, the indeterminate subject is super useful for certain everyday situations. It can be used to avoid conflict, preserve someone's privacy, or simply because the subject's identity isn't relevant to the message. So next time you hear a 'They say that...' or 'Help is needed...', you can be sure: the indeterminate subject is in action!

Proposed Activity: Create and Share: List the Mysterious Sentences! 

Now it's your turn to play with the indeterminate subject!  How about creating a list of three sentences using the indeterminate subject? It can be something bizarre, funny, or even poetic. Then, share the list in the class WhatsApp group and see how your classmates react! Can they identify the indeterminate subjects in your sentences?

Identifying the Indeterminate Subject in the Digital World 

Let’s agree: the digital world is a perfect field for the indeterminate subject. On social media, people love to say things like 'They say...', 'It's being commented...', 'It is believed that...'. This leaves us with that itch behind our ears. It’s as if everyone is detectives trying to figure out 'Who said that?'.

The anonymity offered by the indeterminate subject on social media allows expressing controversial opinions without assuming direct responsibility. For example, 'They say that movie is awful!' lets you express a critique without pointing fingers. This can be particularly useful in online discussions, where sometimes it’s better to leave the subject in the background to avoid any conflict.

Another interesting use is in the sharing of rumors or sensationalist information. 'They say a new game in the series will be launched!' Who says this? The sources are vague, but curiosity is planted. Thus, the use of sentences with indeterminate subjects can increase engagement and interaction since people become intrigued and want to know more.

Proposed Activity: Digital Treasure Hunt: Searching for the Indeterminate Subject! 

How about a digital challenge? Go onto your favorite social media and find five examples of sentences with indeterminate subjects. Then, take screenshots of those posts and create an album on Google Photos or your favorite social network, and share the link in the class forum. Let's see who finds the most creative and intriguing sentences!

The Indeterminate Subject and the Art of Narrative 

Ah, the stories we tell!  In the world of literature, the indeterminate subject is like one of those mysterious characters that appear out of nowhere, say something intriguing, and vanish into the mist. Elements of suspense and mystery often use this grammatical form to keep the reader on the edge of their seat.

Think about detective or mystery stories. 'A scream was heard in the night...', 'They say the house is haunted...', 'It is said that no one ever returned from there...' Each of these phrases uses the indeterminate subject to engage the reader, creating an atmosphere filled with suspense. It’s an elegant literary trick that adds an extra layer of involvement to the narrative.

And it’s not just in books that this is used! In movies, series, and even video games, the indeterminate subject can be a powerful tool to build an engaging plot. By not specifying who performs the action, the story gains a new level of complexity. Readers and viewers become detectives, trying to put together the pieces of the puzzle.

Proposed Activity: Writing Mysteries: Use the Indeterminate Subject! ✍️

Let's bring out your inner writer!  Create a short paragraph of a mystery or suspense story using at least three sentences with an indeterminate subject. It can be something simple, but it has to be intriguing! Post the paragraph in the class forum and read your classmates' as well. Who knows, we might discover new literary talents?

When the Subject Doesn't Matter: Practical Uses in Everyday Life ️

In real life, sometimes the subject simply doesn’t matter. ⏳ Imagine you’re walking through school and see a notice: 'Running in the hallways is not allowed.' Here, who is the subject of this sentence? It's a mystery! But the focus is on the action that should not be performed, not on who is doing (or not doing) it.

Another example: 'Volunteers are needed for the event.' Very noble, right? Here, the important thing is to find volunteers, based on the verb that is in the third person plural along with the particle 'se'. This type of structure is very common in notices, signs, and announcements, where the action or request is the focus, not who is performing or making the request.

Let’s be honest, we also use this when we want to deflect blame or don’t want to point fingers: 'They say the dessert didn’t turn out well.' Of course, it could have been the grandfather's termite or the talking parrot who said that, but again, what matters is that who doesn’t count. The goal here is to inform or suggest without really pointing fingers.

Proposed Activity: Indeterminate Notices: Inventing Rules! 

How about a quick challenge?  Think of three situations from your daily life (at school, home, etc.) and create notices or instructions using the indeterminate subject. Then take pictures or write those sentences and share them in the class WhatsApp group. Let’s see who invents the most creative (and of course, indeterminate!) instructions!

Creative Studio

Between words and verses, in the digital, The indeterminate subject is special, They say, talk, hear, without pointing out, The action is the star, the intrigue in the air.

On social media, it truly appears, They comment, share, without revealing, The privacy preserved, the mystery grows, Curiosity increases, and interaction lurks.

On pages and screens, the plot unfolds, 'A scream was heard', 'the old house enchants', Mystery in writing, suspense that enhances, The indeterminate subject elevates the plot.

In daily life, like a notice, 'Seeking hands', 'Don't run, please', The action is communicated, without any improvisation, The instruction is clear, with a touch of love.

Reflections

• Why do we sometimes prefer not to specify who is performing the action? Reflect on how this affects communication in different contexts.
• How does the anonymity of the indeterminate subject impact online engagement? Think about the advantages and disadvantages of this practice on social media.
• What role does the indeterminate subject play in building literary narratives? Consider how it helps create suspense and mystery.
• What are the practical applications of the indeterminate subject in our everyday lives? Reflect on how it can be used to give instructions or avoid conflicts.
• How can we identify and use the indeterminate subject effectively? Think of strategies to apply this knowledge in your writing.

Your Turn...

Reflection Journal

Write and share with your class three of your own reflections on the topic.

Systematize

Create a mind map on the topic studied and share it with your class.

Conclusion

✨ We have reached the end of our journey through the intriguing universe of the indeterminate subject! We traversed paths filled with mysteries, rumors, and engaging narratives, always accompanied by this grammatical figure that transforms our sentences into small works of art. Now, you are more than prepared to identify and use the indeterminate subject in your daily communications, whether on social media, in literary texts, or in simple everyday conversations.

 Before our active class, take the opportunity to review your notes and the activities you've completed. Practice creating sentences with an indeterminate subject and think about how this tool can be useful in different contexts. During the class, you will have the opportunity to put all this knowledge into practice, analyze real examples, and collaborate with your classmates on challenging and enriching tasks. So, roll up your sleeves and get ready to lead discussions and shine in the next class!