The farm

Laura Smith is in an European training programme. She has arrived to Can Jordà, Jordi and Núria’s farm, to live with them for six months and learn more about farming. Jordi introduces Laura to Núria. Then Jordi shows Laura the farm.

Jordi: Núria, this is Laura Smith. She’s from Cardiff, in Wales.
Núria: Hi, Laura, nice to meet you. Welcome!
Laura: Hello, Núria. Nice to meet you too. Thanks for hosting me in your house.
Núria: Well, it’s a pleasure. We can practise our English.
Jordi: Okay! Let’s go on a tour round the farm.
Laura: Yes, sure!
Jordi: Well, we are in the farmyard, as you can see. That building in front of us is the farmhouse, where we live. The bedrooms are on the top floor. That other building over there is the machinery shed, where we keep the tractor and other machines. And those are the cowshed, the pigsty, the hen house, the barn and the dairy.
Laura: Very nice.
Jordi: Behind the house there’s a vegetable garden and an orchard. And that piece of land next to the meadow, the one with the white fence… that’s the pasture.
Laura: Are those your cows?
Jordi: Yes, they are. They are all ours.
Laura: What about that field over there?
Jordi: Oh, that’s a fallow field. We hope to plant barley there next year.
Laura: Good. Thanks for the tour, Jordi. Now I’d like to unpack my things.
Jordi: Of course! Let’s go.

Technical vocabulary:

In this section, you are going to study and practise two different types of language: the formal language and the informal informal language. The use of the correct language register is very important in English, especially when you have to use English at work. It is very important when you produce a piece of writing, but also when you speak. With unknown people in a business environment, we must generally use the formal language, but when we write a note or a letter to a colleague or to a friend, then we can use the informal language. When we speak, we must also be aware of the language register. We must use formal words and expressions when we speak to unkown people and informal words and expressions when we speak to friends or to younger people. In Spanish and Catalan there is also a difference in register: the formal language uses the pronouns usted/vostè and the informal language uses the pronoun tu.

A very basic communicative situation happens when you greet someone. To greet someone means to say ‘hello’ to a person that you meet. As you will see, there’s a great variety of words and expressions to greet a person. You must learn to use the right ones depending on each situation, especially on the degree of formality. You will also learn to introduce someone and what you must say in this situation. To introduce someone means to say the name and a few things about a person that you do not know. You must learn what you must say to introduce someone or when you are introduced to another person. Again, the things that you say will depend on the formality of the situation.

In the communication section, you will also learn a few basic questions. You can ask questions to know another person a little better or just to start a conversation. Of course, you will also learn to answer the questions. In the grammar section of this unit, you will study the syntactical structure of the English questions.

Finally, in this section you are also going to practise the telephone conversations. If you mean to use your English, you will certainly have to speak on the telephone because it is a very common situation, especially in a working environment, but also in your daily life. For this reason, you should learn to use certain words and expressions that you will need to use on the telephone.

In English, we must distinguish between the formal and the informal language. Both styles are correct. Their use is a matter of tone and setting. Formal English is generally used in academic writing and business communication. Informal English is appropriate for communication with friends and relatives. In the text called ‘A tour round the farm’ you can read a conversation between Jordi, Núria and Laura. This is a good example of informal spoken English.

Here are the main characteristics of each style:

Formal style:

• Does not use colloquial words/expressions (use: post instead of job, I would appreciate it if… instead of I would like…, etc.).
• Does not use contractions (write full words: I am, do not, cannot, will not, etc.).
• Writes in third person (except in business letters, where the first person may be used).
• Does not use abbreviated words (use full versions, like photograph, and not photo; television, and not TV, etc.).
• Does not use the imperative voice (say: could you send me…? instead of send me…).
• Uses the passive voice (for example: it is believed that… instead of we believe that…).
• Uses longer and more complex sentences (short and simple sentences makes a writing poor).

Informal style:

• Uses colloquial words and expressions (well, kids, guy, etc.).
• Uses contractions (I’m, don’t, can’t, won’t, etc.).
• You may use first, second, or third person.
• You may use abbreviated words (photo, TV, etc.).
• You may use the imperative voice (for example: Send me…, Please remember…, etc.).
• You may use the active voice (for example: we believe that…, etc.).
• You may use short and simple sentences.

To see an example of each style, read the following texts. They are two written messages: one in formal style and the other one in informal style. They both express the same ideas and they are both correct, but we must choose the most appropriate style. For example, if you are writing to a language school asking for information about their English course, you must choose the formal style. If you are writing to a friend who knows about the English course, you must choose the informal style.

Now read and compare:

Jordi, Núria and Laura are colleagues, so they use the informal language to speak to one another. In the dialogue above, they use different expressions to greet and introduce people. For example: hi, hello and welcome.

To introduce Laura, Jordi says: This is Laura Smith, and then he adds a few details about Laura: She’s from Cardiff, in Wales. This is a very common way of introducing someone in informal English.

Here is a list of words and expressions that you can use to greet and introduce people in formal and informal English. Please note that Catalan translations are not literal; they are equivalent phrases used in the same context.

When we meet people:

• Formal:
  • Good morning (Cat. ‘Bon dia’)
  • Good afternoon (Cat. ‘Bona tarda’)
  • Good evening (Cat. ‘Bona nit’)
  • Hello (Ms Smith) (Cat. ‘Hola [Sra/Srta Smith]')
• Informal:
  • Hi / Hello (Cat. ‘Hola’)
  • Hi, how are you? (Cat. ‘Hola, com estàs?’)
  • What’s up? (very informal) (Cat. ‘Què hi ha?’ / ‘Què tal?’)
  • How are you doing? (very informal) (Cat. ‘Com va tot?’, ‘Què hi ha de nou?’)

When we receive people as a host:

• Formal: Hello (Ms Smith), welcome to… (Cat. ‘Hola [Sra/Srta Smith], benvinguda a…’)
• Informal: Hi, (Laura), welcome to… (Cat. ‘Hola, [Laura], benvinguda a…’)

When we leave people:

• Formal:
  • Goodbye! (Cat. ‘Adéu!’)
  • Good morning (Cat. ‘Bon dia’)
  • Good afternoon (Cat. ‘Bona tarda’)
  • Good evening (Cat. ‘Bona nit’)
• Informal:
  • Bye! (Cat. ‘Adéu!’)
  • See you! (Cat. ‘Fins una altra!’ / ‘Fins ara!’)
  • See you around! (Cat. ‘Ens veiem!’)
  • Take care! (Cat. ‘Cuida’t’ / ‘Cuideu-vos’)

In introductions, we always say our name or another person’s name. Introductions generally come after a greeting. It is common to add a rethorical question or to make a comment.

Here are some common expressions to introduce people:

• Formal:
  • Hello, my name’s (Jordi Gómez) (Cat. ‘Hola, em dic [Jordi Gómez]')
  • Let me introduce you to (Mr Gómez) (Cat. ‘Permeti’m que li presenti al [Sr Gómez]')
  • May I introduce you to (Mr Gómez)? (Cat. ‘Em permet que li presenti al [Sr Gómez]?’)
• Informal:
  • Hi, my name’s (Núria) (Cat. ‘Hola, em dic [Núria]')
  • Hi, this is (Laura) (Cat. ‘Hola, aquesta és [la Laura] / et presento [la Laura]')

We respond to a formal introduction by shaking hands and saying:

• Hello, (Mr Gómez) it’s a pleasure to meet you (Cat. ‘Hola [Sr Gómez], és un plaer conèixer-lo’) - It’s my pleasure (Cat. ‘El plaer és meu’).
• How do you do? (Cat. ‘Encantat’) - How do you do (Cat. ‘Encantat’).

We can respond to an informal introduction by saying:

• Hi, (Laura), nice to meet you (Cat. ‘Hola, [Laura], molt de gust’) - Nice to meet you too (Cat. ‘El gust és meu’).

Here is a list of basic questions with their corresponding answers. You can ask them to start a conversation or to know more things about another person. However, be aware that asking a person’s age or where he lives in a first meeting may not be appropriate. Use your common sense to choose the right questions in the right situations.

• What’s your name? - My name’s (Mark) / It’s (Mark) / I’m (Mark)
• What’s your full name? - It’s (Mark Higgins)
• What’s your surname? - It’s (Higgins)
• How do you spell (Higgins)? - It’s H-I-double G-I-N-S.
• How old are you? - I’m (22) years old / I’m (22)
• Where are you from? - I’m (Scottish) / I’m from (Scotland) / I’m from (Glasgow)
• Where do you live? - I live in (London)
• What’s your job? / What do you do? - I’m a (waiter)
• What’s your address? - It’s (14, Wood Lane, in London)
• Where do you work? - I work (at a fire station in North London)
• What do you like (doing)? - I like (walking, cycling and sailing).
• Can I have your phone number? - Yes, of course, it’s (608 33 26 71)
• Do you like (your job)? - Yes, I like it very much / No, I don’t like it much
• Are you (Mark Higgins)? - Yes, I am / No, I’m not
• Do you speak (Spanish)? - Yes, I do / No (I’m afraid) I don’t
• Are you (English) - Yes, I am / No, I’m not. I’m (Scottish)
• Have you got any brothers or sisters? - Yes, I’ve got (a brother and a sister) / No, I haven’t

Notes:

1. What’s you job? / What do you do? (Cat. ‘Quina feina fas?’). Both questions ask about a person’s job without any difference in meaning. Do not confuse what do you do? with what are you doing? (Cat. ‘Què estas fent?’). What are you doing? asks about your current action whereas what do you do? asks about your job.
2. When you spell a number, you must say each number individually or use the word ‘double’ when two equal numbers come together. Number ‘0’ is pronounced ‘oh’. For example: 608 33 26 71 is: six - oh - eight - double three - two - six - seven - one.
3. When we answer a yes/no question, we generally add the corresponding auxiliary or modal verb.

Telephone conversations are very common situations in which you must use your oral skills in English (listening and speaking). Speaking on the telephone is generally more difficult than speaking face-to-face because we do not have the help of non-verbal resources, like facial expressions or gestures.

To speak on the telephone successfully, you should learn some words and expressions commonly used on the phone. Here is a short list:

Answering the phone:

• Hello?
• Núria Martínez speaking.
• Zara store. Can I help you?

Asking for identification:

• Who’s calling?
• Where are you calling from?
• May I have your name please?

Identifying yourself on the telephone:

• This is (Jordi Gómez).
• My name’s (Jordi Gómez), I’m calling from (a farm called Can Jordà).
• This is (Jordi Gómez). I’m calling on behalf of (Laura Smith). (Cat. ‘Truco de part de la Laura Smith’)

Asking to speak with someone:

• May I speak to (Mr Smith), please?
• Can I talk to (Mark Smith), please?
• Is (Mark) there?
• I’d like to speak to (Mark Smith).
• Could you put me through to (the commercial department), please?

If Mark Smith answers the telephone himself, the answer would be:

• Speaking!, which means: This is Mark Smith speaking.

If not, see below:

Asking the other person to wait:

• One moment, please.
• Hold on a minute please.
• Just a minute.

Connecting to other people:

• I’ll put you through to (Mr Smith).
• I’ll put you through to (his office).

Explaining that the other person is not available:

• I’m sorry, the line’s busy at the moment.
• I’m afraid (Mr Smith) is not in his office right now.
• (Mark) is not at home at the moment.

Offering solutions when the other person is not available:

• Could you call back later please?
• Could you call back in (one hour)?
• Could I take a message?
• Would you like to leave a message?
• Can I help you in anything?
• I’ll call back later, thanks.
• I’ll try again, thanks.

Leaving a message:

• Could I leave a message please?
• Could you please tell (Mr Smith) that (Jordi) called?
• I’d like to leave a message for (Mark).

Asking about the reason of the call:

• What does it concern?
• What’s it about?

Explaining the reason of the call:

• I’m calling about… (+ noun). For example: I’m calling about an email I received from Mr Smith.
• I’m calling to… (+ verb). For example: I’m calling to order a table for six people for tomorrow.

Saying goodbye on the phone:

• Thanks for your help.
• Ok, I’ll call you back in a few days.
• Goodbye.
• Bye.

Other useful words and expressions:

• To dial (Cat. ‘Marcar un número’)
• It’s busy (Cat. ‘Està ocupat’)
• Receiver (Cat. ‘Auricular’)
• Mobile phone (Cat. ‘Mòbil’)
• To pick up the phone (Cat. ‘Despenjar el telèfon’)
• To hung up (Cat. ‘Penjar el telèfon’)
• To answer the phone (Cat. ‘Contestar el telèfon’)
• To ring (Cat. ‘Sonar’)
• Call (Cat. ‘Trucada’)
• Answering machine (Cat. ‘Contestador automàtic’)
• Voicemail (Cat. ‘Bústia de veu’)

In the grammar of this section, you will study the structure of the interrogative and negative sentences in English. These very basic grammatical rules that you probably know very well, but it is always a good idea to constantly review and practise the grammar points. You will review the difference between wh-questions and yes/no questions, and you will also practise the interrogative and negative forms of the verbs.

The rest of the grammar section is devoted to study the passive voice. The passive voice is generally used in formal written English and it is a very common structure. In English, the passive voice is more widely used than in Catalan or Spanish, so you should learn to understand the meaning of the passive forms and use them appropriately.

In the section called “Asking for and giving personal information”, you could see a list of basic questions. In this list, you can distinguish two types of questions

• Wh-questions: these questions have an interrogative pronoun. For example: What’s yur name?
• Yes/No questions: the answer to these questions is either ‘yes’ or ‘no’. For example: Can I have your phone number?

The correct structures of the wh-questions are the following:

1a. INTERROGATIVE PRONOUN + VERB + SUBJECT + …? (with auxiliary and modal verbs when the interrogative pronoun is the object). Examples:

• What is your address? (Cat. ‘Quina és la teva adreça?’)
• Where are you going? (Cat. ‘On vas [tu]?’)
• What should I do? (Cat. ‘Què hauria de fer [jo]?’)

1b. INTERROGATIVE PRONOUN + VERB + …? (with modal verbs when the interrogative pronoun is the subject). Examples:

• Who can tell me? (Cat. ‘Qui m’ho pot dir?’)
• What must be done? (Cat. ‘Què s’ha de fer?’)

2a. INTERROGATIVE PRONOUN + DO/DOES/DID + SUBJECT + VERB IN INFINITIVE + …? (With lexical verbs when the interrogative pronoun is the object). Examples:

• Where do you live? (Cat. ‘On vius [tu]?’)
• Why did he call you? (Cat. ‘Per què et va trucar [ell]?’)
• What does Jim do? (Cat. ‘Què fa en Jim?’)

2b. INTERROGATIVE PRONOUN + VERB (conjugated) + …? (with lexical verbs when the interrogative pronoun is the subject). Examples:

• What happened? (Cat. ‘Què va passar?’)
• Who cleans the office? (Cat. ‘Qui neteja l’oficina?’)
• Who came yesterday? (Cat. ‘Qui va venir ahir?’)

The table below shows the English interrogative pronouns:

To ask a yes/no question, the correct structures are the following:

1. VERB + SUBJECT + …? (with auxiliary and modal verbs). Examples:

• Are you the new employee? (Cat. ‘Ets [tu] el nou empleat?’)
• Is there an emergency? (Cat. ‘Hi ha una emergència?’)
• Have you been to England? (Cat. ‘Has estat a Anglaterra?’)
• Can you speak English? (Cat. ‘Saps parlar anglès?’)
• Will you come to work? (Cat. ‘Vindràs [tu] a treballar?’)

2. DO/DOES/DID + SUBJECT + VERB IN INFINITIVE FORM + …? (with lexical verbs). Examples:

• Do you speak English? (Cat. ‘Parles [tu] anglès?’)
• Does your brother live with you? (Cat. ‘Viu amb tu el teu germà?’)
• Did she go out last night? (Cat. ‘Va sortir [ella] ahir a la nit?’)

In the answers to yes/no questions, we generally say the corresponding subject pronoun + the auxiliary or modal verb:

• Are you the new employee? - Yes, I am.
• Is there an emergency? - No, there isn’t.
• Have you been to England? - Yes, I have.
• Can you speak English? - Yes, I can.
• Does your brother live with you? - No, he doesn’t.
• Did she go out last night? - Yes, she did.

To say a negative sentence, we must express the verb in the negative form. To do so, we use the adverb NOT. We add not to the auxiliary and modal verbs. The different structures of negative sentences are:

1. SUBJECT + VERB + NOT … (with auxiliary and modal verbs). Examples:

• Laura is not Scottish. (Cat. ‘La Laura no és escocesa’)
• I have not seen anything (Cat. '(Jo) no he vist res’)
• You must not smoke in here (Cat. ‘Aquí no has de fumar’)
• Jordi cannot speak German (Cat. ‘El Jordi no parla alemany’)

2. SUBJECT + DOES/DO/DID + NOT + VERB IN INFINITIVE… (with lexical verbs). Examples:

• You do not speak French, do you? (Cat. ‘No parles francès, no?’)
• Jordi does not like watching television (Cat. ‘Al Jordi no li agrada veure la tele)
• They did not go out last night (Cat. ‘No van sortir ahir a la nit’)
• It did not rain yesterday (Cat. ‘Ahir no va ploure’)

Note: The form verb + not is generally contracted, especially in oral speech: isn’t, haven’t, mustn’t, can’t, don’t, doesn’t, didn’t.

The passive voice is a special form of the verb which sometimes we use as an alternative to the most common active voice. We especially use the passive voice in formal written English, as in articles, technical manuals or formal letters.

Formation of the passive voice

The passive voice is composed of two elements:

1. the auxiliary verb ‘to be’ (conjugated)
2. the past participle of the verb.

Here are some examples of verbs in different tenses of the passive voice:

• ask > is asked (present simple)
• must speak > must be spoken (infinitive)
• say > has been said (present perfect)
• buy > will be bought (future)
• paint > is being painted (present continuous)

As you can see, the passive voice has a variable element (the verb to be, which is conjugated) and an invariable element (the past participle).

The use of the passive voice

The passive voice is used:

1) When we want to emphasize the action and the object of a sentence rather than the subject.

• Accidents are often caused by distractions (Cat. ‘Els accidents són sovint provocats per distraccions’).
• Laura was asked by Jordi about the course (Cat. ‘La Laura va ser interrogada sobre el curs pel Jordi’).
• Laura has been sent to Spain by a programme of the European Union (Cat. ‘La Laura ha estat enviada a Espanya per un programa de la Unió Europea’).

2) When the subject is not important or it is unknown:

• Laura has been trained in first-aid techniques (Cat. ‘La Laura ha rebut formació en primers auxilis’).
• The houses were immediately evacuated (Cat. ‘Les cases van ser evacuades de seguida’).
• It is said that salaries will be raised (Cat. 'Es comenta que pujaran els salaris’).
• English is widely spoken in all the world (Cat. ‘L’anglès es parla molt a tot el món’).

The comparison of the active voice and the passive voice will help you understand the difference in the use of these two types of sentences.

Here is a sentence in the active voice and one in the passive voice:

• Active voice: Distractions (subject) cause (verb) most accidents (direct object).
• Passive voice: Most accidents (subject) are caused (verb) by distractions (agent).

These are the changes:

1. The subject in the active sentence becomes the agent in the passive sentence (with by).
2. The direct object in the active sentence becomes the subject in the passive sentence.
3. The verb changes from the active voice to the passive voice.

Note the following aspects of the passive voice:

1. Only the transitive verbs (those that have an object) can be in the passive voice.
2. In the passive voice, the subject is not the person or thing that does the action of the verb. On the contrary, in the passive voice, the subject is the person or thing that receives the action of the verb.
3. In the passive voice, the person or thing that does the action of the verb is called the agent, which is placed after the verb and is always introduced by the preposition by. In the example, the agent is by distractions (distractions cause the accidents).
4. When we do not know who did the action, we do not say the agent.