主动语态与被动语态:何时使用以及为什么重要
「The report was written」 还是 「She wrote the report」?知道何时使用主动语态或被动语态,是清晰有力的英语和笨拙冗长句子之间的区别。本指南涵盖每条规则、每个语境和每个你需要做出的决定——配有来自学术写作、新闻报道和日常对话的真实例子。
主动与被动:有什么区别?
在主动语态中,主语执行动作:She wrote the report。在被动语态中,主语接受动作:The report was written (by her)。意思相同,但焦点不同。主动语态突出执行者;被动语态突出动作或接受者。
每个被动句都有三个要素:(1) 主语接受动作,(2) 动词使用'be'的某种形式 + 过去分词,(3) 原始执行者要么消失,要么移到'by'短语中。理解这个结构是自信选择主动和被动的关键。
主动语态(主语执行动作)
The chef prepared the meal.
Scientists discovered a new species.
The company hired 200 employees.
She will announce the results tomorrow.
被动语态(主语接受动作)
The meal was prepared (by the chef).
A new species was discovered (by scientists).
200 employees were hired (by the company).
The results will be announced tomorrow.
如何在每个时态中构成被动语态
被动语态遵循一个简单的公式:主语 + be的形式 + 过去分词。时态由'be'动词承载——改变'be'以匹配时态,过去分词保持不变。一旦你掌握了这个模式,就可以在任何时态中构成被动语态。
下面是完整的时态构成表。注意每个时态只是改变'be'的形式,而过去分词(如'written'、'built'、'eaten')保持固定。对于不规则动词,确保你知道正确的过去分词形式。
被动语态构成表
Active: She writes the report.
Passive: The report is written (by her).
Active: She is writing the report.
Passive: The report is being written.
Active: She has written the report.
Passive: The report has been written.
Active: She wrote the report.
Passive: The report was written.
Active: She was writing the report.
Passive: The report was being written.
Active: She had written the report.
Passive: The report had been written.
Active: She will write the report.
Passive: The report will be written.
Active: She will have written the report.
Passive: The report will have been written.
现在完成进行时、过去完成进行时和将来进行时的被动语态理论上存在('The report has been being written'),但几乎从不使用,因为听起来极其别扭。实际上,你只需要上表中的八种形式。
何时被动语态是更好的选择
被动语态名声不好,但有很多情况下它是正确的——甚至是唯一自然的——选择。关键是知道何时有意使用它,而不是无意中使用。
当动作比执行者更重要时
如果焦点在于发生了什么而不是谁做的,被动语态是自然的。
The bridge was built in 1892.(我们关心桥,不是建造者。)
Over 500 homes were destroyed in the flood.(破坏很重要,洪水作为'执行者'不重要。)
当执行者未知时
如果你不知道谁执行了动作,被动语态避免了笨拙的结构。
My car was stolen last night.(我不知道谁偷的。)
The window was broken during the storm.(未知执行者。)
当执行者显而易见或不重要时
有时执行者太明显了,提到他们什么也没增加。
The suspect was arrested at 3 AM.(显然是警察。)
English is spoken worldwide.(被人们——不需要说。)
当你想要委婉或非人称时
被动语态让你描述错误而不直接责怪某人。
Mistakes were made.(避免说'You made mistakes.')
The deadline was missed.(比'You missed the deadline.'温和。)
一个好的测试:如果在你的被动句后加上'by someone'听起来多余或无意义,那被动语态就是正确的选择。'The email was sent'比'The email was sent by someone.'好。
何时主动语态是更好的选择
主动语态是英语的默认选择。它更清晰、更直接、通常更短。大多数风格指南推荐主动语态作为主要选择,被动语态留给特定情况。
当清晰度最重要时
主动语态立即明确谁做了什么。
The proposal was reviewed and the changes were approved.
The committee reviewed the proposal and approved the changes.
主动告诉我们谁审查和批准了——被动让它模糊不清。
当你想要活力和直接时
主动语态产生更短、更有力的句子。
The ball was kicked into the goal by Ronaldo.
Ronaldo kicked the ball into the goal.
主动语态对叙事写作更有活力和吸引力。
当需要指令或命令时
指令在主动语态中几乎总是更清楚。
The form should be completed and the button should be clicked.
Complete the form and click the button.
直接指令使用祈使句(主动)——从不用被动。
当执行者本身就是重要信息时
如果识别执行者是整个要点,主动语态是自然的。
The goal was scored by Messi in the 90th minute.
Messi scored the goal in the 90th minute.
当主语就是新闻时,把他们放在前面。
如果你的句子感觉冗长、啰嗦或不清楚,试着把它转换成主动语态。十次中有九次,主动版本会更短更清楚。这在商务邮件、指令和叙事中尤其如此。
学术和科学写作中的被动语态
学术和科学写作是被动语态真正发光的地方。它不仅是可以接受的——往往是被期望的。原因是客观性:学术写作关注方法、结果和发现,而不是研究者本身。
然而,现代学术风格指南(包括APA)现在鼓励主动和被动的混合。'学术写作中永远不要用I'的旧规则已经过时了。关键是当焦点应该在过程上时用被动,当研究者的角色重要时用主动。
方法和程序
被动语态是描述所做工作的标准:
The samples were collected from three different locations.
Data were analyzed using SPSS software.
The experiment was conducted over a 6-month period.
Participants were randomly assigned to two groups.
结果和发现
被动语态强调发现了什么,而不是谁发现的:
A significant difference was found between the two groups.
No correlation was observed between age and performance.
The hypothesis was supported by the data.
学术写作中何时使用主动语态
主动语态适用于主张、论证和作者行为:
We propose a new framework for...(不是'A new framework is proposed')
This study examines the relationship between...
Previous researchers have argued that...
学术写作的黄金法则:方法和程序(做了什么)用被动语态,解释和论证(你怎么想)用主动语态。这在客观描述和主观分析之间创造了自然的流动。
新闻和新闻报道中的被动语态
新闻写作策略性地使用被动语态。标题经常使用被动来强调事件,而正文为了清晰和活力转向主动。理解这个模式帮助你更有效地阅读新闻,也帮助你在正式语境中写得更好。
注意新闻媒体如何根据要强调的内容在主动和被动之间切换。这是刻意的编辑选择,不是懒惰。
标题(被动常见)
标题倾向于使用被动来前置关键信息:
Three people killed in highway crash.
New vaccine approved by FDA.
CEO fired after financial scandal.
Historic building damaged by earthquake.
正文(主动优先)
文章正文通常转向主动以求清晰:
Police arrested the suspect at his home early Tuesday morning.
The president signed the executive order during a ceremony at the White House.
Investigators traced the source of the leak to a senior official.
新闻中的策略性被动
记者在执行者未知、敏感或不太重要时使用被动:
The documents were leaked to the press.(来源受保护。)
Shots were fired during the protest.(谁开枪不清楚。)
The victim was pronounced dead at the scene.(标准用语。)
阅读任何BBC或CNN文章,标出每个被动句。问自己:记者为什么在这里选择被动?通常是因为执行者未知、事件更重要,或者他们故意对执行者含糊其辞。
日常对话中的被动语态
被动语态不仅仅用于正式写作。母语者在日常对话中不断使用它——往往没有意识到。这些会话被动听起来完全自然,是流利英语的重要部分。
学会在口语中自然使用被动是英语高级水平的标志。以下是你每天都会听到的最常见模式。
Get + 过去分词(非正式被动)
'Get'在日常口语中替代'be'。听起来不那么正式,在对话中更自然。
I got promoted last month.(= I was promoted.)
She got fired from her job.(= She was fired.)
He got injured during the game.(= He was injured.)
We got invited to the wedding.(= We were invited.)
常见会话被动
这些表达使用得如此频繁,感觉像是固定短语:
I was born in 1995.(没人说'My mother bore me in 1995.')
I was told that the meeting was canceled.
It was built in the 1800s.
The concert was sold out within minutes.
It is said / believed / known(非人称被动)
用于报告一般知识或观点而不指明来源:
It is said that practice makes perfect.
He is believed to be the richest person in the city.
The restaurant is known for its seafood.
She is considered (to be) one of the best in her field.
如果你想在英语对话中听起来更自然,练习'get'被动。'I got stuck in traffic'在日常口语中比'I was stuck in traffic'自然得多。在YouTube视频和播客中听——你会到处听到它。
「By」短语:何时包含,何时省略
被动语态中最大的决定之一是是否包含'by'短语(执行者)。在大约80%的被动句中,'by'短语被省略了。理解何时包含它,何时省略它,对于写出自然的被动句至关重要。
包含'By'当...
执行者是重要的新信息
The novel was written by a 16-year-old.(她的年龄是令人惊讶的新闻。)
你需要区分可能的执行者
The decision was made by the CEO, not the board.(澄清是谁。)
执行者是著名的或重要的
Guernica was painted by Picasso.(毕加索是重要信息。)
省略'By'当...
执行者显而易见
The suspect was arrested.(显然是警察——不需要说'by police.')
执行者未知
My wallet was stolen.(我不知道谁做的。)
执行者不重要或太笼统
English is spoken worldwide.('By people'什么也没增加。)
你想避免责怪
The files were accidentally deleted.(不指明谁做的。)
快速测试:写了带'by'的被动句后,不带'by'短语读一遍。如果句子仍然完全合理,执行者没有增加有用的信息,就省略它。不必要的'by'短语让句子感觉沉重和官僚。
情态动词的被动语态
情态动词(can、could、should、must、may、might、will、would)与被动语态结合,创造出你在正式和日常英语中会不断遇到的结构。公式很简单:情态动词 + be + 过去分词。
这些情态被动组合在规则、法规、指令和正式交流中特别常见。掌握它们对中高级到高级英语至关重要。
情态被动构成
This problem can be solved easily.
The data could be interpreted differently.
The report should be submitted by Friday.
All forms must be completed in ink.
Passengers may be asked to show ID.
The event might be postponed due to weather.
Winners will be announced next Monday.
It was expected that changes would be made.
情态动词 + Have Been + 过去分词(指过去)
要指过去,在情态动词后加'have been':
The package should have been delivered yesterday.(但没有送到。)
The error could have been prevented.(但没有被阻止。)
The documents must have been lost in transit.(对过去的推断。)
The building might have been damaged during the earthquake.(不确定的过去事件。)
情态被动在标志、规则和官方交流中无处不在:'Smoking must not be permitted'、'This form should be returned within 30 days'、'Food may not be consumed in the library.'开始注意它们,它们就会变得自然。
常见错误:过度使用和不足使用被动语态
过度使用和不足使用被动语态都会造成问题。一些学习者完全避免被动因为被告知它'不好'。其他人过度使用它因为它听起来更'正式'。真相在中间——两种语态都是必要的工具。
过度使用被动(使写作冗长模糊)
The decision was made that the project would be started by the team and the budget would be reviewed by management.
The team decided to start the project, and management reviewed the budget.
如果每个句子都是被动的,写作感觉沉重和回避。混合使用主动和被动以获得自然流畅。
当执行者才是重点时使用被动
The winning goal was scored in the 89th minute.
Mbappe scored the winning goal in the 89th minute.
当执行者就是新闻时,使用主动。读者想知道谁进的球。
创造悬挂被动(缺少逻辑主语)
Walking to the store, the wallet was lost.
Walking to the store, she lost her wallet.
钱包不会走路。确保隐含的主语与句子主语匹配。
当被动明显更好时避免使用
Someone stole my phone. People speak English worldwide.
My phone was stolen. English is spoken worldwide.
当执行者未知或无关时,被动是自然选择。
混淆被动和过去时
以为'was written'只是过去时,不是被动。
'She wrote' = 主动过去时。'It was written' = 被动过去时。不同结构,不同功能。
被动使用'be + 过去分词'。过去时只是动词的过去形式。它们是不同的东西。
在正式写作中使用'get'被动
The results got published in a peer-reviewed journal.
The results were published in a peer-reviewed journal.
'Get'被动是口语化的。在学术或正式写作中,使用'be'被动。
如何通过FlexiLingo掌握主动和被动语态
掌握语态选择的最佳方式是大量接触真实英语,观察母语者如何自然地在主动和被动之间切换。FlexiLingo提供工具,帮助你从真实内容中学习这些模式。
23+平台上的交互字幕
使用交互字幕观看BBC新闻、TED演讲、YouTube纪录片和Netflix。新闻内容充满了被动的策略性使用——'was arrested'、'has been confirmed'、'will be announced'。实时观察专业作者如何做出语态选择。
从真实内容中保存语态示例
当你发现一个很好的被动或主动结构——比如记者说'The suspect was apprehended'或TED演讲者说'We discovered'——保存完整句子及音频上下文。建立个人语态模式集合。
AI驱动的语法分析
FlexiLingo的NLP引擎识别你观看内容中的被动结构。自动高亮'be + 过去分词'模式,以及情态被动和get-被动,以便你在语境中学习语态选择。
间隔重复复习
以最佳间隔复习保存的句子。反复听到正确的语态模式——'was built in'、'can be done'、'has been confirmed'——训练你的直觉,知道何时被动合适,何时主动更好。
常见问题
被动语态在语法上是错误的吗?
不,绝对不是。被动语态是合法且必要的语法结构。'避免被动'的建议过于简化了。被动在使你的写作不清楚或不必要地冗长时是不对的。当动作比执行者更重要、执行者未知、或你想要委婉时,它是正确的。优秀的作者策略性地使用两种语态。
如何识别句子中的被动语态?
寻找公式:'be'的形式(is、was、were、been、being)+ 过去分词(written、built、eaten、done)。如果你能在动词后加'by someone'且仍然有意义,就是被动:'The cake was eaten [by someone].'如果主语在做动作,就是主动:'She ate the cake'——'She ate by someone'没有意义。
为什么老师说要避免被动语态?
老师简化了规则,因为学生经常过度使用被动,使他们的写作冗长模糊。真正的规则是:默认使用主动以求清晰和直接,当你有好的理由时(未知执行者、关注动作、委婉语气)转用被动。这是关于选择正确的工具,而不是完全禁止一个。
所有主动句都能转换成被动吗?
不能。只有含及物动词(带直接宾语的动词)的句子能变被动。'She ate the cake' → 'The cake was eaten.'但不及物动词不行:'She arrived'——没有宾语可以变成主语。同样,'She seems happy'不能变被动,因为'seems'是系动词,不是及物动词。
'was written'和'got written'有什么区别?
'Was written'(be-被动)是标准的,在所有语境中都适用——正式、学术、对话。'Got written'(get-被动)是非正式的,主要在对话中使用。Get-被动通常暗示某些意外或不幸的事:'He got fired'(暗示惊讶/倒霉)。在正式写作中,始终使用'be'被动。在对话中,'get'被动完全自然,而且通常更受欢迎。