Intro
1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.
2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.
Devan’s company has been bought. A big deal has been made. Why does this sound so mysterious? Because it’s in the passive voice.
The passive voice is a verb tense that emphasizes an action over the person who committed it. For some time now, Devan has been talking to someone about selling her company. Even though she has dropped some hints, she has kept the deal secret from her employees.
Today, she finalized the deal and can finally tell her staff about it. But she’s afraid to tell them who bought the company. Sounds like a perfect time for the passive voice!
3. Watch - Watch the video without reading the dialog.
Dialog
1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.
2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.
Devan: So, we’re good then? Yeah. Yeah, it’s a deal. No, not like the handshake thing. Yes, my fingers are not crossed. It’s for real this time. It’s sold. We’re good. Okay? Okay. Not! No, just kidding! I’m kidding, okay? Okay. Bye.
Devan: May I have your attention, please! Employees. I have an important announcement to make. The company has been bought.
Ella: What? Someone bought us?
Mason: I have a question! Who bought us?
Devan: That’s irrelevant at the moment. You just need to know that it has been bought. I have sold it.
Mason: I have another question! Who bought us?
Devan: You have all been sold to someone who is going to take good care of you.
Ella: So, we’re like slaves?
Devan: I’m going to get rich off of this. You guys might not, but you still have jobs so that’s cool. Okay, have a good day.
Mason: Um, I have another question! Can I get a new mop from these people? This one’s getting kind of worn out. Seriously.
Devan: You’re going to have to take that up with the person that it has been taken over by.
Jason: Why are you being so cagey?
Devan: Um…I…you know…You’ll find out all in due time.
Jason: Why won’t you just tell us who bought us? Why are you acting so weird?
Jeff: I bought the company.
Jason: I knew it!
Jeff: On behalf of Marni, of course. Is this a surprise?
Grammar Point
Go Super to learn "Passive Voice" from this lesson
Quizzes
Lesson MP3
The iTEP® test
-
Sponsored by
Discussion
Devan is on the phone with someone and finally agrees to the sale of her company. She asks for the attention of the office and using the passive voice, tells everyone that he company has been sold.
Of course, everyone wants to know who bought the company. But sticking to the passive voice, Devan only tells them that it’s been taken over, and that’s all they need to know.
Then Jeff walks in and announces in plain old active voice that he bought the company. Everyone is shocked, but even more shocked when he says that he bought it on Marni’s behalf.
Have you ever worked for a company that changed ownership? Was it scary for you? Have you ever used the passive voice to hide something?
Comments
Sudan |
Brazil |
Colombia |
Saudi Arabia |
Mexico |
Morocco |
Mexico |
Brazil |
China |
Pakistan |
Iran, Islamic Republic Of |
Iran, Islamic Republic Of |
Indonesia |
Romania |
India |
South Korea |