Sometimes we don't know who did something, or it doesn't matter. The package arrived, the sink was fixed, the bill got paid. That is when English uses the passive. In this episode: • The be passive • The get passive • Common home passives to memorize • When to avoid the passive • Listening lab • Practice • Self-check questions with answers Key phrases from this episode: The package was delivered this morning — we don't know who brought it (neutral) Dinner is served — a fun, slightly formal line at home (formal) This bread is made with whole wheat — the process matters, not the baker (neutral) The kids were picked up at three — someone collected them (neutral) I was told the meeting moved — someone told me (neutral) The trash is collected on Tuesdays — a routine (neutral) The sink finally got fixed — it changed from broken to working (casual) My phone got cracked — something happened to it (casual) He got stung by a bee — an accident (casual) Our flight got canceled — bad news (casual) The cookies got eaten before dinner — a little complaint (casual) Did the bill get paid? — a question with did (casual) She got hired last week — good news (casual) I was born in May — never "I born" (neutral) It's made of wood — material (neutral) It's made in another country — origin (neutral) The store is closed — state, not action (neutral) Is this seat taken? — polite question in a waiting room (polite) You're invited! — on a birthday card (neutral) We're supposed to bring snacks — we are expected to (casual) I got locked out — I can't get back in my house (casual) Season 2 · Real American English: the complete spoken course for learners worldwide — accent, everyday grammar, prepositions, articles, phrasal verbs, idioms, slang and real conversations at home. Listen, repeat out loud, then take the 52-question quiz. Audio voiced with AI from an original script by Dr. Rashmi R Nair.