Although we use the passive tense in the present tense, it's used in other tenses, too, and that's what we look at in this lesson.

Here are some examples of sentences using both the active and passive voices. Different tenses are used, too!

What are causatives? Causal verbs are used to cause things to happen. They're used in causative constructions. Although there are various specific verbs in this category, we commonly use four ordinary verbs for this: ("have," "let," "get," and "make"). Let's make some sense of them.

Now that you have an idea about what causal verbs and causal constructions are, let's give them some context. We're still using the verbs "have," "let," "get," and "make," and the theme is housepainting.

Let's look "under the hood," and see how to build causative constructions using "have," "let," "get," and "make."

Sigrid introduces passive causative constructions, which combine causal verbs and the passive voice. We use them all the time in everyday conversation when we focus on the object rather than the subject.

This segment lays out the building blocks of a passive causative construction. We also compare and contrast causative constructions with other similar constructions. Sigrid uses the expression "to mix and match," which means putting different things together in different ways.

It's time to mix and match the formulas we've talked about. Sigrid mixes and matches them to talk about stuff she can't or doesn't want to do herself. She invites you to do the same.

In the United States, there are rights that allow all people who are accused of something to defend themselves: "the rule of law" and "due process of law." Right now, these rights are being challenged, and so it's important to know what they're all about.

Along with the rule of law, "due process" is an important element of U.S. constitutional law that gives anyone accused of a crime the right to defend him or herself and be judged by a fair and impartial judge or jury. There is a proper, legal way to do this, and that's called due process.

One way to prepare for Halloween is to make a jack o' lantern. In this segment, Sigrid explains what a jack o' lantern is, and how kids and adults celebrate Halloween.

The pumpkin is ready to carve out. Sigrid explains that pumpkins are indeed an edible type of squash and not just for making into jack o' lanterns. In fact, one pumpkin can become both a pumpkin pie and a jack o' lantern.

Sigrid finishes carving her pumpkin and places the candle inside so we can see the final effect of the jack o' lantern. Happy Halloween!

For so many of us, life has changed radically. We've had to learn new habits because of the coronavirus pandemic. Here are some of the changes we are having to make.

Everyone should stay home as much as possible to keep the coronavirus from spreading, but sometimes we have to go out for essential errands. What are some items to have on hand when we go out? Sigrid talks about five of them.