Question of understanding the usage of to in "they aren’t listened to by managers"

Question

Hi,I found unclear part at one sentence while I listen the BBC Radio.NeilBut have you ever had a boss who you just couldn’t work with? GeorginaOh, you mean a bad boss – someone you just can’t get on with no matter how hard you try. Yes, I’ve had one or two over the years – not you of course, Neil! NeilI'm glad to hear it, Georgina! " Often this happens because workers feel they aren’t listened to by managers."Especially, "they aren’t listened to by managers" part is unclear to me as meaning and structure of grammar.Q1. I can assume that "they" meaning as workers. so I can say that "Workers feel that Workers are not listened to by manager"."are not listened" is passive tense not active. then does this sentence mean that workers want to listen something but manager interrupt to workers listen  something?how do I correctly understand this sentence?Q2. Why does "to" add in  "they aren’t listened to by managers"?  not "they aren't listened by manager" ?Would you kindly please help me to understand this?

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

In English we don't "listen a person". We "listen to a person".

Carter Leewhile I listen to the BBC Radio

The manager listens to the workers. (active)
The workers are listened to by the manager. (passive)

When you have a prepositional verb like 'listen to', the 'to' goes with the verb even in the passive voice. Here's another one:

Everyone asks for a copy of that book. (active)
A copy of that book is asked for by everyone. (passive)

Carter LeeQ1. I can assume that "they" meaning as workers. So I can say that "Workers feel that workers (these same workers) are not listened to by managers".

Yes.

Carter Lee... does this sentence mean that workers want to listen to something, but managers interrupt to workers ~~listen something~~?

No. The workers want to speak to the managers. They may want to complain. They may want to make suggestions. They want the managers to listen to them when they speak about these things.

Carter LeeHow do I correctly understand this sentence?
Often this happens because workers feel they aren’t listened to by managers.

this happens = someone can't work with their boss ~ it's hard to work with a boss/manager

they aren't listened to by managers ~ their managers do not listen to them ~ Their managers hear them, but the managers do not understand them or take their concerns or their suggestions seriously. The managers act as if the workers haven't said anything worth hearing.

Carter LeeQ2. Why ~~does~~ is "to" added in "they aren’t listened to by managers"? not "they aren't listened by managers" ?

I answered this at the top of this post.

CJ

Question of understanding the usage of to in "they aren’t listened to by managers"

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