一、概念
语态也是动词的一种形式,表示主语与谓语之间的关系。英语有两种语态:主动语态Active和被动语态Passive。主动语态表示主语是谓语动作的执行者。
如:People grew rice in this area some years ago.
被动语态表示主语是谓语动作的承受者
如:A new swimming pool will be built on our school.
二、构成
被动语态的形式是由“助动词be+动词的过去分词”构成。be done
助动词be随着主语的人称,数,时态和语气的不同而变化。
各种时态的被动语态形式如下:
1.一般现在时-Present simple: am/is/are+V(p.p)
主动: People use electricity to run machines.
被动: Electricity is used to run machines.
2.一般过去时—Past tense: was/were + V(p.p)
主动: We planted many trees on the hill yesterday.
被动: Many trees were planted on the hill yesterday.
3.一般将来时--- Future tense will/shall +be+V(p.p)
主动: We will hold a sports meeting next week.
被动: A sports meeting will be held next week.
4.现在进行时—Present continuous: am/is/are +being+V(p.p)
主动:He is painting the house.
被动:A house is being painted.
5.过去进行时—Past continuous: was/were +being+V(p.p)
主动:She was making a cake when I came into the kitchen.
被动:A cake was being made when I came into the kitchen.
6.现在完成时—Present perfect have/has +been+V(p.p)
主动:He has finished his work.
被动:His work has been finished.
7.过去完成时—Past perfect: had +been+V(p.p)
主动:They had translated the book into English by the end of last month.
被动:The book had been translated into English by the end of last month.
8.过去将来时 should/would +be+V(p.p)
He told us that people would build a big bridge in his hometown.
We were told that a big bridge would be built in his hometown.
Were you told that a big bridge would be built in his hometown?
Yes, we were. /No, we weren’t.
注:1.含有情态动词的谓语变成被动语态时,用“情态动词+be+V(p.p)”构成
You must operate the machine with care.
The machine must be operated with care.
Must the machine be operated with care? Yes, it must. / No, it mustn’t.
2.含有“be going to”, “be to”等结构的谓语,变成被动语态时,分别用“be going to +be +V(p.p)”和“be to+be+V(p.p)”。如:
We are going to discuss the problem at the meeting.
The problem is going to be discussed at the meeting.
Is the problem going to be discussed at the meeting?
Yes, it is. / No, it isn’t.
3.被动语态除常用be+过去分词构成外,还可用“get+过去分词”结构。这种结构多用在口语中。如:
The boy got hurt when he was riding to school.
三、通常在下列情况使用被动语态:
1.不知道或不必说出动作的执行者。
This book has been translated into many languages.
2.动作的对象是谈话的中心。
A new railway will be built in our hometown.
3.修辞的需要,为了使句子更加简练匀称:
He appeared on the stage and was warmly applauded by the audience.
注:被动语态便于论述客观事实,常用于科技文章,新闻报道,书刊介绍及景物描写。