动词的语态告诉句子的主语是执行还是接收动作。 在英语中有两种语态(声音)：主动和被动。

主动语态

在主动语态中，主语执行动词表达的动作：

• The student wrote a song.

被动语态

在被动语态中，主语接受动词表达的动作：

• A song was written by the student.

形成被动动词的时态

The passive voice always consists of two parts: a form of the verb "to be" + past participle:

被动语态的使用

使用被动语态：

• 请注意动作的接收者而不是表演者：
  • The professor was hit by three snowballs.
• 当表演者不明或不重要时，指出行动的接收者：
  • A love letter was slipped under the door.
  • The signs will be posted.
• Avoid calling attention to the performer of the action (known as the "institutional passive"):
  • The fines will be collected on Monday.

写作中的主动和被动语态

在写作中使用主动或被动语态之间的选择是风格问题，而不是正确性。 但是，大多数手册都建议使用主动语态，他们认为这些语态更自然，更直接，更生动，更简洁。 被动语态被认为是冗长和弱小的（除非在上述情况下使用）。 检查以下示例。

• weak, passive: The skater was slammed into the wall by Maria.
• strong, active: Maria slammed the skater into the wall.
• weak, passive: The book was enjoyed by me because the events of her childhood were described so well by the author.
• strong, active: I enjoyed the book because the author described the events of her childhood so well.

识别被动语态的提示

• An active verb may or may not have a direct object, but the passive verb almost never does.
  • "It is...That" construction (It is clear that... It is noted...)
• Use of the verbs To Be, Make, or Have
  • Passive: Your exits should be made quickly.
  • Active: Leave quickly.
• Endings that turn verbs into abstract nouns: -ion,-ing,-ment:
  • Passive: When application of force is used, the lid will open.
  • Active: Apply force to open the lid.

passive [´pæsiv]   a.被动的 n.被动性   (初中英语单词)

childhood [´tʃaildhud]   n.幼年(时代)；早期   (初中英语单词)

construction [kən´strʌkʃən]   n.建设；修建；结构   (初中英语单词)

application [,æpli´keiʃən]   n.申请；申请书；应用   (初中英语单词)

abstract [´æbstrækt]   a.抽象的 n.提要   (英语四级单词)

calling [´kɔ:liŋ]   n.点名；职业；欲望   (英语六级单词)

performer [pə´fɔ:mə]   n.执行者；表演者   (英语六级单词)