Episode 36: English Is Spoken Everywhere

Passive voice (present & future) — Modern world, Present (A2-B1)

Grammar Box

Meaning: Present passive (is/are + past participle) describes facts, habits, and general truths. Future passive (will be + past participle) describes future plans and predictions. Both focus on what happens, not who does it.

Form: is/are + past participle | will be + past participle

Example 1: English is spoken worldwide. (present fact)

Example 2: The meeting will be held tomorrow. (future plan)

Common mistake: Wrong: English is spoke. Better: English is spoken.

The Question

Luna opened a news website. “English is used by 1.5 billion people.” She thought about this. Not “People use English.” But “English is used.” Why? “Professor, when do we use passive in present and future? What’s the difference?” The watch glowed. Professor Wisdom smiled. “Let’s see English as it lives today.”

The Journey

Today. Airports around the world. London. Tokyo. Dubai. São Paulo. Pilots from every country speak English. Air traffic controllers use English. It’s not their choice. It’s a requirement. English is spoken in every cockpit. Safety depends on it.

In a hospital in Geneva, doctors from 30 countries work together. They speak different languages at home. French. Arabic. Mandarin. But medical charts are written in English. Research is published in English. Lives are saved because English is understood everywhere.

At the United Nations in New York, speeches are given in many languages. But most documents are prepared in English first. Decisions are made in English. Peace is negotiated in English. Not because English is better. But because English is shared.

A young girl in rural India learns English at school. Her parents never learned it. They speak Hindi at home. But they know something important. English will be needed by their daughter. Jobs will be offered to English speakers. Opportunities will be created through English.

In Silicon Valley, code is written in English. Software is designed in English. Apps are launched in English first. A programmer from Brazil, a designer from Korea, and an investor from Germany meet. They don’t share a native language. But English is spoken between them. Ideas flow. Innovation happens.

Luna watched English move through the world. Not imposed. Not forced anymore. But adopted. Chosen. Used. The language spread not by conquest now. By connection. By necessity. By opportunity.

English is taught in schools everywhere. It is learned by choice. It will be spoken by even more people tomorrow. Not because of power. Because of possibility. This is passive voice in action. The focus is on what happens. Not on who makes it happen. English exists. English spreads. English connects.

The Insight

Professor Wisdom explained. “Present passive uses ‘is/are + past participle.’ ‘English is spoken.’ ‘Emails are sent.’ Future passive uses ‘will be + past participle.’ ‘The meeting will be held tomorrow.’ ‘New jobs will be created.'”

“We use present passive for facts, habits, and general truths. We use future passive for plans and predictions. Both focus on the action or result, not the person doing it.”

“Listen to news or read science. Passive is everywhere. ‘The vaccine was developed.’ ‘Climate change is caused by emissions.’ ‘New policies will be announced.’ It sounds objective. Professional. Factual.”

“English itself is described with passive. Because nobody owns it. Everybody uses it. The language belongs to the world now.”

Practice Zone

More Examples:

1. “Spanish is spoken in 20 countries.” — present fact
2. “The email will be sent tomorrow.” — future plan
3. “Coffee is grown in Brazil.” — present general truth
4. “The results are checked daily.” — present habit
5. “New technology will be developed soon.” — future prediction
6. “Plastic is recycled here.” — present process

Exercises:

1. Fill in the blank: “This room _ ___ every day.” (clean – present passive)

2. Choose the correct form:
   – “The report _____ next week.”
   a) will finish
   b) will be finished

3. Change to passive: “People speak English everywhere.”

4. Future passive: “They will build a new school.” → “A new school _____.”

5. Your turn: Write two sentences about your city using present passive.

Answer Key:

1. is cleaned
2. b) will be finished
3. “English is spoken everywhere.”
4. will be built
5. Check: Did you use “is/are + past participle”? Does it describe a general fact about your city?

The Lesson

Luna wrote in her journal. “English is learned by millions. It is used for connection. It will be spoken by my children too.” She smiled. The modern world taught her something beautiful. Language isn’t owned. It’s shared. Passive voice captures this perfectly. When we say “English is spoken,” we don’t ask “by whom?” Because the answer is “by everyone.” Grammar reflects reality. Connection matters more than control.