被动语态
（一）简介
在英语中，语态是动词的一种形式，表示主语和谓语的关系。英语动词有两种语态，即主动语态和被动语态。主动语态(active voice) 表示主语是动作的执行者；被动语态（passive voice）表示主语是动作的承受者。如：
Saddam is being tried. 萨达姆正在接受审判。
The Iraqi government is trying Saddam. 伊拉克政府正在审判萨达姆。
More and more people use computers now.（主动语态）
Computers are more and more widely used now.（被动语态）
English is spoken all over the world. (被动语态)
（二）英汉两种语言在表达被动方式上的差异
汉语表达被动语态非常简单明了，用“被”“遭”“受”等词来表示，如“被捕”、“被杀”、“受到凌辱”等。而英语表达被动的方式也不复杂，用“助动词be+动词的过去分词”表示。其中助动词be有人称、数量和时态的变化，而这正是英语被动语态的难点。
（三）被动语态的构成
被动语态由“be+及物动词的过去分词”构成。这里要强调一定是及物动词的过去分词，因为不及物动词不能带宾语，也就不可能有被动语态。英语主动语态有16个时态；被动语态常用的有8个，以give为例说明如下：
被动语态的疑问句是将第一个助动词移到主语之前、句末用问号；否定式是在第一个助动词后加not或never等其他否定词、句末用句号。如：
“During the interview, were you asked questions in English?” “No, I wasn’t asked questions in English.” “面试的时候，用英语问你问题了吗？”“没有，没有用英语问我问题。”
The origin of the universe will probably never be explained. 宇宙的起源大概永远也不会被解释清楚。
Is the restaurant being decorated? 那家餐馆正在装修吗？
The restaurant is not being decorated. In the fact the restaurant has never been decorated。 那家餐馆没有在装修。实际上，那家餐馆从来没有装修过。
（四）被动语态的用法
1、不知道或没有必要指出动作的执行者。换个说法，有一件事情不知道是谁干的或者不想说出是谁干的，这时就用被动语态。例如：
I felt a littlie nervous when I was being interviewed. 我接受面试的时候，有点紧张。
These fighters are imported from Russia. 这些战斗机是从俄国进口的。
That place has been turned into a swimming pool. 那个地方已被变成游泳池。
2、说话或发表意见时，为了显得客观公正，也常用被动语态
He’s said/believed/reported to be in the U. S. A. 据说/据信/据报道他在美国。
还有下列常用句型（that后面跟句子）：
It is said that……. 据说
It is reported that……. 据报道
It is hoped that……. 希望
It is believed that……. 人们相信
It is announced that……. 据宣布
it is (well) known that……. 众所周知
It has been decided that……. 已经决定
It is supposed that……. 人们认为
It is suggested that……. 有人建议
It must be remembered that……. 务必记住
It is taken for granted that……. 被视为当然
（五）主动句变被动句的注意事项
一是时态不能改变；二是变为被动语态后，谓语动词要和被动语态的主语在人称、数上保持一致。还要作如下变动：把主动语态的宾语变为被动语态的主语；主动语态的主语放在by的后面，组成介词短语，再把这个介词短语放在被动语态的谓语动词之后。在动作的执行者无须说明或不必要强调时，by短语可以省略。例如：
They will open a new supermarket there soon. 他们很快将在那里开办个新超市。
A new supermarket will be opened there soon. 一个新超市不久将在那里开办。
The doctor gave two lectures in English. 那位医生用英语讲了两次课。
Two lectures were given by the doctor in English. 由那位医生用英语讲了两次课。
Somebody has warned us to be careful of rats. 有人警告我们要当心老鼠。
We have been warned to be careful of rats. 我们受到警告，要当心老鼠。
如果主动语态有两个宾语（直接宾语和间接宾语），变为被动语态时，可将其中任何一个宾语变为主语，另一个不变。但较常见的是将间接宾语变为被动语态的主语。
The reporters asked the president some questions. 记者们问了总统一些问题。
The president was asked some questions by the reporters. （ 变间接宾语为主语）
Some questions were asked the president by the reporters. （变直接宾语为主语）
We have given him a job. 我们已给了他一个工作。
He has been given a job. （变间接宾语为主语）
A job has been given (to) him. （变直接宾语为主语）
（六）含有情态动词的被动语态
句中含有情态动词时，其被动语态的结构是：情态动词+be+过去分词：
The timetable can be changed any time. 时间表随时可以改变。
This book may not be taken out of the reading room. 这本书不允许带出阅览室。
This dictionary must be taken good care of. 这本词典必须保管好。
（七）不能用于被动语态的动词
1、不及物动词不能用于被动语态，因为它们没有宾语。
2、表示状态而不是动作的及物动词，如 break out, belong to, cost, deserve, fit, have ( 有、使)，hold (盛下、装下)，lack, resemble, suit, take part in, take place, want, wish等动词不能变为被动语态。例如：
Everybody wanted Doris to be the manager. 大家都想让多里斯来当经理.
We like everybody to say what they think. 我们喜欢让人人都说出他们的看法。
Do you wish me to stay？ 你希望我留下吗？
Will you help me (to) do the work? 你可以帮助我做干活吗？
The war broke out in 1937. 战争爆发在1937年。
This car belongs to me. 这车是属于我的。
He has a good job. 他有个好工作。（不说A good job is had by him.）
They have a large house. 他们有所大房子。
I’ll have him come early. 我要让他早来。
Though I like the dress, it doesn’t fit me. 尽管我喜欢那件连衣裙，但穿着不合适。（不说Though the dress is liked by me, I’m not fitted by the dress.）
We lack manpower at the moment. 我们现在缺少人手。(不说Manpower is lacked by us at the moment.)
My computer cost me seven hundred and ninety dollars. 我花了790美元买这台计算机。
She resembles her father. 她像她父亲。（不说her father is resembled by her.）
3、短语动词中有些用于被动结构，有些不可以。但没有规律可循，只能个别掌握：
I was very well looked after when I was working there. 我在那里工作的时候，得到很好的照顾。
An overpass is being put up at the corner of the street. 在那条街的拐角处正在建起一个过街天桥。
Everybody agreed with me. 大家都同意我的意见。（不能说 I was agreed with by everybody.）
I walked into the house. 我走进房子。（不能说The house was walked into.）
I broke into the house. 我破门而入那栋房子。（却可以说The house was broken into by me.）
4、反身代词和each other, one another作宾语时不能变为被动。例如：
They acknowledged themselves to be defeated. 他们承认他们自己被击败了。
She praised herself. 她自我表扬。
He ruined himself. 他毁了自己。
5、下列及物动词有特殊的宾语，也不能变为被动语态：
The police officer shouted his loudest to stop the car. 警官用最大的声音喊叫，想叫住那辆车。
The famous actress breathed her last. 那位著名的女影星咽气了。
She nodded her approval. 她点头同意。
I smiled my thanks. 我微笑致谢。
He wishes to be somebody. 他想成个人物。
He enjoys taking pictures. 他喜欢摄影。
Keep silence, please. 请保持安静。
They usually take a walk after supper. 他们通常晚饭后散步。
（八）关于被动语态的几点说明
1、有些动词形式上是主动，意义上是被动。例如:
School begins in September. 学校九月份开学。
The library doesn’t open on Sunday. 图书馆星期天不开放。
The machine runs well. 这台机器容易操作。
My pen writes well. 我的钢笔好使。
The cloth washes well. 这料子耐洗。
The dictionary sells well. 这词典销路很好。
The book hardly sells. 这书买不出去。
The door will not shut/lock. 门关/锁不上。
Am I to blame? 我该受责备吗？
The house is to let. 房子要出租。
The story is interesting to read. 这故事读起来很有趣。
The film is worth seeing. 这片子值得一看。
Your shirt needs washing. 你的衬衫该洗了。
2、make, see, watch, hear, notice, feel等使役动词和感官动词的宾语后面可以接不带to的不定式作宾补。但在被动语态中，不定式符号to必须补上。例如：
They made him go. 他们让他去。
He was made to go. 他被要求去了。
I heard him say good-bye to his friends. 我听见他向他的朋友说再见。
He was heard to say good-bye to his friends. 有人听到他向他的朋友说再见。
3、除助动词be外，动词get有时也可跟过去分词构成被动语态，是比较口语化的一种被动语态。这种结构中很少用by短语。例如:
I got lost in the huge market. 在那个巨大的市场中我迷失了方向。
You might get killed/hurt. 你会送命/受伤的。
In the end this story got translated into English. 这故事最后被译成了英文。
His car got damaged in a road accident. 他的车在交通事故中被毁了。
4、“have/get+宾语+过去分词”这个句型也表达了一种被动的意思。如：
I’ll have the bike repaired in no time. 我一会就把自行车修好。
I had my wallet stolen/lost last Sunday when I was shopping. 上星期天买东西的时候我的钱夹被盗。
He got his leg broken when playing football. 踢足球的时候他把腿弄断了。
I bought these books at a discount and had two hundred dollars saved. 我打折买了这些书，省了两百美元。
5、在need, want, require后面，主动的-ing形式表达被动的意思：
My watch needs cleaning. (=…needs to be cleaned) 我的表需要清洗。
Your garden needs watering. (=…to be watered) 你的花园需要浇水。
Does your suit require pressing, sir? 先生，您的衣服要烫吗？
The car wants servicing. 这汽车要检修。
（九）练习
1、将下列句子变成被动语态：[主要步骤是：把原句的宾语变成主语（代词宾格要变成主格）；把原句的谓语动词变成被动形式（注意：时态不变，新谓语动词与新主语要一致，疑问句要注意助动词的转换）。复合句中如有可能主句和从句都要变成被动语态。]
1）He gave me a present.
I was given a present by him.
2）My sister made the soup.
The soup was made by my sister.
3）The workers could not find the manager anywhere in the factory.
The manager could not be found anywhere in the factory by the workers.
4）The army engineers and soldiers have built a bridge over the river.
A bridge has been built over the river by the army engineers and soldiers.
5）The police will surely arrest the thieves.
The thieves will surely be arrested by the police.
6）My brother will repair my bike for me.
My bike will be repaired by my brother.
7）You must clean your watch once a year.
Your watch must be cleaned once a year.
8）I didn’t tell you Xiao Wang could do the job.
You were not told (that) the job could be done by Xiao Wang.
9）I cannot find my dictionary. Someone has taken it.
My dictionary cannot be found. It has been taken by someone.
10）She cannot find her bag. Someone must have taken it.
Her bag cannot be found. It must have been taken by someone.
11）The pupils asked the teacher to tell a story.
The teacher was asked by the pupils to tell a story.
12）The Association asked Mr. Green to make a speech.
Mr. Green was asked by the Association to make a speech.
13）The government is sending him abroad.
He is being sent abroad by the government.
14）He told me to wait here for him.
I was told to wait here for him.
15）Mr. Hopkins has found his wallet.
Mr. Hopkins’ wallet has been found.
16）The workers themselves invented the new machine.
The new machine was invented by the workers themselves.
17）They set up this hospital in 1950.
This hospital was set up in 1950.
18）Tom broke the window.
The window was broken by Tom.
19）Did you write the letter?
Was the letter written by you?
20）They do not make this kind of watches in Beijing.
This kind of watches are not made in Beijing.
21）People call him Little Old Man.
He is called Little Old Man.
22）John answered all the questions.
All the questions were answered by John.
23）The farmer was ploughing the field.
The field was being ploughed by the farmer.
24）People speak English in almost all the countries of the world.
English is spoken in almost all the countries of the world.
25）The wind blew the clouds away.
The clouds were blown away by the wind.
26）We shall paint the room.
The room will be painted.
27）Must I do all the exercises on my own?
Must all the exercises be done?
28）I am going to ring Tom up.
Tom is going to be rung up.
29）Everyone expects that he will win.
It is expected that he will win.
He is expected to win.
30）Did you finish your composition in class?
Was your composition finished in class?
31）Do you wash your clothes very often?
Are your clothes washed very often?
32）Have they paid you the money?
Have you been paid the money?
Has the money been paid to you?
33）Mr. Wang gave us an English lesson.
We were given an English lesson by Mr. Wang.
An English lesson was given to us by Mr. Wang.
34）He told his brother the news.
His brother was told the news.
2、将下列句子变成主动语态：
1）What were you told to do?
What did they tell you to do?
2）They were made to learn the poem by heart.
The professor made them learn the poem by heart.
3）The house was being cleaned while the dinner was being cooked.
He was cleaning the house while she was cooking the dinner.
4）It must have been done by an artist.
An artist must have done it.
5）The business has been taken over by his competitors.
His competitors have taken over the business.
6）Such customs should be done away with.
We should do away with such customs.
7）Why haven't the letters been written?
Why haven't you written the letters?
8）It must be done at once.
You must do it at once.
9）I ought to have been told sooner.
You ought to have told me sooner.
10）I wasn't told that he had been dismissed.
They didn't tell me that they had dismissed him.
3、用被动语态翻译以下句子（做翻译时，首先要看用什么句型和结构，再看用什么谓语动词，然后看用什么时态。这些是汉译英的关键。）
1）没有人强迫你去做那项工作。
You are not forced/compelled to do the work.
2）这个班由布朗先生教英语。
The class is taught English by Mr. Brown.
3）那棵大树被风刮倒了。
That big tree was blown down by the wind.
4）这间教室靠两个火炉取暖。
This classroom is heated by two stoves.
5）这篇文章是汤姆写的吗？
Was the article written by Tom?
6）你会得到老师们的帮助。
You will be helped by the teachers.
7）恐怕你要挨批评了。
I am afraid you will be criticized.
8）那封信已由王林写好。
The letter has been written by Wang Lin.
9）电影放映之前，票已全部售出。
All the tickets had been sold out before the film began.
10）试卷上所有的题目都必须做吗？
Must all the questions on the paper be answered?
11）我们学校正在修建一个新的化学实验室。
A new chemistry lab is being built in our school.
12）电视机关上了。
The television has been turned off.
13）在生产中可以很好地利用原子能。
Atomic/Nuclear energy can be made good use of in production.
14）大家知道，物质是在不断运动和变化的。
It is well known that matter is in constant motion and constant change.
15）有人看见他和李红在一起。
He was seen with Li Hong.
16）据报道，一两天内有大雨。
It is reported that there will be a heavy rain in a day or two.
17）林肯在竞选参议员失败后两年，当选为美国总统。
Two years after he was defeated in the Senate race, Abraham Lincoln was elected president of the United States.
18）他父亲被派到南京出差去了。
His father has been sent to Nanjing on business.
19）-新方案实行了吗？
-没有，还在计划中。听说还在提出各种建议。
-新方案完成时就要采取下一个步骤了。
-Has the new program been started yet?
-No, it is still being planned. It is said that suggestions are still being made.
-The next step will be taken when the new program is worked out.
20）-那个电话是什么时候打的？
-我想是昨天晚上打的。
-When was the telephone call made?
-I think it was made last night.