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Italian is one of the core languages at Verbosari and, therefore, we are continuing out Language Corner section with common errors and doubts related to the everyday use of the Italian language.
Today, we decided to talk about the confusion when using the words se and sé.
The word “se” without the accent is a conjunction mostly used in the “if” sentences (“periodo ipotetico”):
ex. Se l’avessi fatto, sarebbe rimasto. = If I had done it, he/she would have stayed.
On the other hand, sé with the accent (called “accento acuto”) is a reflexive personal pronoun of the 3rd person singular and plural:
ex. Doveva pensare solo a sé. = He/She should have been thinking only about himself/herself.