How the World Works (H1)
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EN: The Past Passive Voice is used to describe an action that happened to the subject in the past. It is formed using 'was/were' + past participle (V3). In this sentence, 'was invented' shows that the phone (subject) received the action of being invented.
The light bulb was invented by Thomas Edison.
EN: The phrase 'over [time period] ago' is used to indicate that something happened more than a specific amount of time in the past. 'Over' means 'more than', and 'ago' is placed at the end of the time expression.
They moved to this city over a decade ago.
EN: The Present Simple Passive Voice (am/is/are + past participle) is used to focus on the action or the receiver of the action rather than the doer. In this sentence, 'are treated' highlights that the diseases undergo treatment.
Many languages are spoken in this international school.
EN: The preposition 'with' is used to indicate the instrument, tool, or means used to perform an action. Here, 'with new drugs' shows the means by which the diseases are treated.
The letter was written with a special blue pen.
EN: Passive Voice (Past Simple): Used to focus on the action or the receiver of the action rather than the doer. Formed with 'was/were' + past participle (V3). The agent (doer) is introduced with 'by'.
The novel was written by a young author.
EN: Direct Speech with Reporting Verb: In English, when quoting someone, the reporting verb (e.g., 'says') can be placed after the quote. If the subject is a noun (like 'Emma'), we can use the order 'says Emma' or 'Emma says'.
"I love this city," says Leo.
EN: Passive Voice with Modal Verbs: When using a modal verb (like 'can', 'should', 'must') in the passive voice, the structure is 'modal verb + be + past participle'. This is used to show that an action is possible, necessary, or permitted to be done to the subject.
The homework must be finished before dinner.
EN: Preposition 'with' for Instrument/Means: The preposition 'with' is used to introduce the tool, instrument, or means used to perform an action.
The door can be opened with this key.
EN: The present continuous passive voice (is/are + being + past participle) is used to describe an action that is currently in progress, focusing on the receiver of the action rather than the doer.
The old bridge is being repaired by the workers.
EN: The preposition 'by' is used in passive sentences to introduce the agent (the person or thing) performing the action.
The novel was written by a famous author.
EN: The passive voice in the future tense is formed using 'will be' followed by the past participle of the main verb (V-ed). It is used when the focus is on the action or the receiver of the action, rather than who performs it.
The new project will be completed next month.
EN: In direct speech, when the reporting verb (like 'says') and its subject (like 'Hana') come after the quoted speech, they can be inverted (e.g., 'says Hana' or 'Hana says'). This is a common stylistic choice in written English.
"I am ready," says Leo.
EN: The Present Simple Passive Voice (am/is/are + past participle) is used to show that the subject receives the action rather than performing it. It is commonly used when the agent (the person doing the action) is obvious, unknown, or less important than the action itself.
Spanish is taught in many schools.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'all around the world' is an idiomatic expression meaning 'everywhere on Earth' or 'globally'. It functions as an adverbial phrase of place.
This song is famous all around the world.
EN: English is often referred to as a 'lingua franca' (a common language used for communication between people who do not share a native language). This sentence highlights its status as a global language of business, science, and travel.
EN: The Present Continuous Passive (is/am/are + being + past participle) is used to describe an action that is currently in progress and happening to the subject. It emphasizes the ongoing process rather than the doer of the action.
The new highway is being built to reduce traffic.
EN: Direct speech with reporting verbs like 'says' can place the speaker at the end of the sentence. In this structure, the quoted speech is presented first, followed by the reporting verb and the subject.
"I will arrive soon," says Leo.
EN: The Present Simple Passive Voice (am/is/are + past participle) is used to describe actions where the focus is on the action itself or the receiver of the action, rather than who performs it. In this sentence, 'are tested' and 'are sold' are passive verbs.
These letters are delivered by the mail carrier every morning.
EN: The conjunction 'before' is used to connect two clauses, indicating that the action in the main clause happens prior to the action in the subordinate clause. Here, it connects 'These products are tested' with 'they are sold'.
Please wash your hands before you eat dinner.
EN: The passive voice in the past tense is formed using 'was/were' followed by the past participle of the main verb. It is used when the action itself or the receiver of the action is more important than the doer.
The letter was written by my sister.
EN: The verb 'give' is a ditransitive verb, which means it can take two objects: a direct object (the thing given) and an indirect object (the recipient). When the direct object comes first, we use the preposition 'to' before the indirect object (e.g., 'give something to someone').
EN: Passive Voice with Modal Verbs: When using modal verbs (like 'should', 'can', 'must') in the passive voice, the structure is 'modal verb + be + past participle'. This shifts the focus from who is performing the action to the receiver of the action.
Rules should be followed by everyone.
EN: The Pattern 'see A as B': This structure means to regard or consider A as B. In the passive voice, it becomes 'A is seen as B' (A 被視為 B), where 'as' is a preposition followed by a noun phrase.
Failure is often seen as a stepping stone to success.
EN: The passive voice is formed with 'be + past participle' (V-ed). It is used when the focus is on the action or the receiver of the action, rather than the doer. In this sentence, 'are shared' and '(are) not hidden' are passive constructions.
The truth was finally revealed by the journalist.
EN: Ellipsis in parallel structures: When two passive verbs share the same subject and auxiliary verb ('are' in this case), the auxiliary verb can be omitted in the second part to avoid repetition. Here, 'not hidden' is short for 'are not hidden'.
The letters were written and mailed yesterday.
EN: The passive voice is used when the focus is on the action or the receiver of the action, rather than the doer. It is formed using 'be + past participle (V3)'. In this sentence, 'is shaped' is the present simple passive, showing a general truth or current state.
The classroom is cleaned by the students every afternoon.
EN: The preposition 'by' is commonly used in passive sentences to introduce the agent—the person or thing that performs the action.
This beautiful song was written by a local musician.
EN: The passive voice in the past tense is formed using 'was/were' followed by the past participle of the main verb. It is used when the action itself or the receiver of the action is more important than the doer.
The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell.
EN: The preposition 'through' is used here to indicate the means, method, or medium by which something is achieved or completed.
She improved her English through constant practice.
EN: The Present Simple Passive Voice (am/is/are + past participle) is used to describe a current state, general truth, or ongoing situation where the action is more important than the doer. The agent of the action is introduced with the preposition 'by'.
The streets are cleaned by the sanitation workers every morning.
EN: The adverbial phrase 'day and night' is an idiom meaning continuously, all the time, or twenty-four hours a day. It functions as an adverbial of time and usually appears at the end of a clause.
The convenience store is open day and night.
EN: The passive voice (be + past participle) is used when the focus is on the action or the receiver of the action, rather than the doer. Here, 'were created' is the past simple passive, showing that the action happened in the past.
The temple was built hundreds of years ago.
EN: The to-infinitive ('to protect') is used to express purpose, answering the question 'why' the action was performed. It can be understood as 'in order to'.
She saved money to buy a new computer.
EN: The Present Simple Passive Voice is formed using 'am/is/are + past participle (V3)'. It is used to focus on the receiver of the action rather than the doer, especially when the action is a general fact or repeated event.
Many letters are delivered by the mail carrier every day.
EN: The prepositional phrase 'by + agent' is used in passive sentences to identify who or what performs the action. 'Every year' is an adverbial phrase of frequency placed at the end of the sentence.
The plants are watered by my sister every week.
EN: The passive voice in the past tense is formed using 'was/were' followed by the past participle of the main verb. It is used when the action itself or the receiver of the action is more important than the doer.
The school was built in 1990.
EN: The infinitive of purpose ('to' + base verb) is used to explain why someone does something or why something was created/used.
He saved money to buy a new laptop.
EN: Passive Voice with Modal Verbs: When using a modal verb (like 'can', 'should', 'must') in the passive voice, the structure is 'modal verb + be + past participle'. It is used when the focus is on the action or the receiver of the action, rather than who performs it.
The homework must be finished before dinner.
EN: Prepositional Phrase of Time: 'In just a few...' is used to indicate a very short duration of time within which an action can be completed. 'Just' is an adverb used here to emphasize how small or short the amount of time is.
She learned to ride a bike in just a few days.
EN: The Present Continuous Passive Voice (am/is/are + being + past participle) is used to describe an action that is currently in progress and happening to the subject.
A new bridge is being built over the river.
EN: The infinitive phrase 'to help' (to + base verb) is used here as an infinitive of purpose, explaining 'why' the robots are being designed.
She joined the club to make new friends.
EN: The sentence uses the Present Continuous Passive Voice (am/is/are + being + past participle) to describe an action that is currently in progress. This structure emphasizes the action being done to the subject rather than the doer of the action.
The new library is being built in the city center.
EN: The subject 'Problems' is modified by a defining relative clause 'that once seemed impossible'. The relative pronoun 'that' acts as the subject of the relative clause, which describes the nature of the problems in the past.
Ideas that once seemed crazy are now widely accepted.
EN: The passive voice is used when the focus is on the action or the receiver of the action, rather than the doer. It is formed with 'be + past participle'. In this sentence, 'are' is the auxiliary verb 'be' (present tense plural), followed by three past participles: 'tested', 'improved', and 'shared'.
Many books are written in English.
EN: When multiple verbs or verb phrases share the same subject and auxiliary verb, they can be joined in a list using commas and the conjunction 'and' before the final item. This is called parallel structure. Here, 'tested', 'improved', and 'shared' are parallel past participles.
EN: Passive Voice with Modal Verbs: The structure 'modal verb + be + past participle' (should be used) is used to express necessity, obligation, or recommendation in the passive voice, where the focus is on the action or the receiver of the action rather than the doer.
Rules should be followed for everyone's safety.
EN: Infinitive of Purpose: The infinitive phrase 'to make...' is used to express the purpose or intention of an action, answering the question 'why'.
He saved money to buy a new computer.
EN: Passive Voice (be + past participle): Used when the focus is on the action or the receiver of the action, rather than the doer. In 'We are reminded', the subject 'We' receives the action of reminding. In 'progress is made by curious minds', 'progress' receives the action of making, and the doer is introduced with 'by'.
The decision was made by the committee.
EN: Noun Clause with 'that': The conjunction 'that' introduces a noun clause functioning as the direct object or the retained object after a passive verb. Here, 'that progress is made by curious minds' functions as the content of what we are reminded of.
She realized that honesty is the best policy.
EN: Passive Voice in Present Simple Questions: The structure 'How + are + subject + past participle' is used to ask about the process of how something is made or done. In this sentence, 'are... made' is the passive form of 'make', focusing on the action rather than the person performing it.
How are these computers designed?
EN: Direct Speech with Reporting Verbs: When reporting what someone said directly, the spoken words are enclosed in quotation marks, followed by a comma, and then the reporting verb and subject (e.g., 'asks Sarah').
"Where is the station?" asks Leo.
EN: The passive voice is used to emphasize the action or the receiver of the action rather than the doer. It is formed using 'be + past participle (V3)'. In 'They are produced', 'they' (referring to medicines) is the receiver of the action 'produce'.
These cars are manufactured in Japan.
EN: Coordinate adjectives are two or more adjectives that modify the same noun and are separated by a comma. They can be reversed or joined by 'and' without changing the meaning (e.g., 'clean, modern labs' or 'modern and clean labs').
We walked down a long, dark hallway.
EN: The sentence uses the Past Simple Passive voice in a question format ('Was' + subject + past participle 'built'). This structure is used to ask about an action that was done to the subject in the past, where the doer of the action is either unknown or not the focus.
Was the letter sent yesterday?
EN: Direct speech reporting with the verb 'asks' in the present tense. When reporting what someone says, we place the spoken words in quotation marks, followed by the reporting verb and the speaker.
"Are you ready?" asks Leo.
EN: The past simple passive voice (was/were + past participle) is used to describe an action that happened to the subject in the past, especially when the doer of the action is unknown or not important.
The house was built in 1990.
EN: The word 'ago' is a temporal adverb used after a measurement of time to indicate how far back in the past something happened from the present moment.
EN: Passive Voice with Modal Verbs (can + be + past participle): In English, when we want to express ability or possibility in the passive voice, we use the structure 'modal verb + be + past participle'. In questions, the modal verb 'can' is placed at the beginning of the sentence before the subject.
Can this project be completed by Friday?
EN: Adverb Placement with Passive Verbs: Adverbs of manner (like 'easily') are typically placed after the past participle in passive constructions, or between 'be' and the past participle. In this question, 'easily' is placed at the end to modify the verb phrase 'be solved'.
The package was delivered safely.
EN: Passive Voice with Modal Verbs (can be + past participle): This structure is used to show that something is possible to be done, focusing on the action or the receiver of the action rather than the doer.
The project can be finished by Friday.
EN: First Conditional (if + present simple): Used to talk about a possible future condition and its likely result. In this sentence, 'if we work together' is the condition, and 'it can be solved' is the result.
If it rains tomorrow, we will stay at home.
EN: The present continuous passive voice is used to describe an action that is currently in progress, where the focus is on the receiver of the action. It is structured as: Subject + am/is/are + being + past participle (V-3).
The classroom is being cleaned by the students.
EN: Direct speech is often followed by a reporting verb (like 'says') and the speaker's name. In English, when the reporting clause comes after the quote, we can use the order 'says + name' (e.g., 'says Emma') or 'name + says' (e.g., 'Emma says').
"I am ready," says Leo.
EN: The passive voice (be + past participle) is used when the focus is on the action or the receiver of the action, rather than the doer. In this sentence, 'are read' is the present simple passive form, indicating a general fact or current habit.
Many emails are sent every day.
EN: The preposition 'on' is used with electronic devices and screens (e.g., on screens, on TV, on the phone, on the computer) to indicate the medium through which information is accessed.
We watch movies on our tablets.
EN: The sentence reflects the modern digital shift in reading habits. In English-speaking countries, the popularity of e-readers (like Kindle) and tablets has made reading 'on screens' a standard alternative to traditional paper books, which is a common topic of discussion regarding technology and lifestyle.
EN: The passive voice (be + past participle) is used when the focus is on the action or the receiver of the action, rather than the doer. Here, 'are shared' indicates that the discoveries receive the action of sharing.
The books are kept in the library.
EN: The preposition 'with' is used after 'share' to introduce the recipient(s) of the shared item or information.
She shared her lunch with her classmate.
EN: The Future Passive Voice is formed with 'will be' followed by the past participle of the main verb (V-ed). It is used to describe actions that will happen to the subject in the future, especially when the doer of the action is unknown, obvious, or less important than the action itself.
The new library will be opened next month.
EN: The preposition 'by' is used in passive voice sentences to introduce the agent (the person or thing) that performs the action.
This beautiful song was written by a young musician.
Key vocabulary words with IPA pronunciation, definitions, example sentences, and interactive quizzes.
Phrases with type tags, bilingual definitions, usage notes, and example sentences.
In many different parts of the world; globally.
Continuously; all the time without stopping.
People who are eager to learn, know, or investigate things.