English grammar
Unknown people: they + verb — and when to use the passive instead
Talk about what unknown people did (they've called, they offered us) and choose between that and the written passive.
From the scene They've offered us money
In short
When you don't know who did it, say they in speech: they've called again. Formal writing prefers the passive.
Your turn
Which one goes with they + indirect object + direct object?
Options: they call it compensation · they've offered us money · they've called again
Show answer
they + indirect object + direct object → they've offered us money
How it works
When you don't know or don't care who did something, spoken English uses they with no name.
Good to know
They've called, they've offered us money, they call it compensation. Letters and notices prefer the passive for the same idea: compensation is offered.
Good to know
So use they when you talk, and the passive when you write something formal.
unknown people: they + present perfect they've called again
Nuria
Javi, they've called again from the developer.
Javi, han llamado otra vez de la promotora.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
Javi, (blank) from the developer.
Options: they've called again · they've offered us money · they call it compensation
Show answer
Nuria
Javi, they've called again from the developer.
Javi, han llamado otra vez de la promotora.
they + indirect object + direct object they've offered us money
Nuria
They've offered us money to leave the flat.
Nos han ofrecido dinero por dejar el piso.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank) to leave the flat.
Options: They've called again · They call it compensation · They've offered us money
Show answer
Nuria
They've offered us money to leave the flat.
Nos han ofrecido dinero por dejar el piso.
they + present simple (a general fact) they call it compensation
Nuria
They call it compensation: three thousand euros and the removal van.
Lo llaman indemnización: tres mil euros y el camión de la mudanza.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
(blank): three thousand euros and the removal van.
Options: They call it compensation · They've called again · They've offered us money
Show answer
Nuria
They call it compensation: three thousand euros and the removal van.
Lo llaman indemnización: tres mil euros y el camión de la mudanza.
written notices prefer the passive compensation is offered
Nuria
In the letter it says "compensation is offered". It sounds more serious.
En la carta pone "se ofrece una indemnización". Suena más serio.
Your turn
What fills the gap?
In the letter it says "(blank)". It sounds more serious.
Options: they've called again · they've offered us money · compensation is offered
Show answer
Nuria
In the letter it says "compensation is offered". It sounds more serious.
En la carta pone "se ofrece una indemnización". Suena más serio.
they + past simple (a one-off event) they called her yesterday
Practise it in the story
Meet this rule inside a short animated scene. Answer as it plays, then say the lines yourself.
Practise free in the appSee all forms
| unknown people: they + present perfect | they've called again |
|---|---|
| they + indirect object + direct object | they've offered us money |
| they + present simple (a general fact) | they call it compensation |
| written notices prefer the passive | compensation is offered |
| they + past simple (a one-off event) | they called her yesterday |
More lines from the story
- JaviTo speak to her lawyer. In other words, her.Que hablaran con su abogado. O sea, con ella.
- JaviPersuading the neighbours to leave. I told them no.Convencer a los vecinos para que se vayan. Les dije que no.