被動語態
被動語態的作用
被動語態是用來表示對「承受」某動作的人或物的關注，而不是關注「執行」某動作的人或物。換句話說，最重要的人或物變成句中的主詞。
舉例
- The passive voice is used frequently. (= 我們關注的是被動語態，而不是關注使用被動語態的人)
- The house was built in 1654. (= 我們關注的是房屋，而不是關注建造房屋的人)
- The road is being repaired. (= 我們關注的是道路，而不是關注修理道路的人)
有時候我們之所以會被動語態，是因為我們不知道、不想表達執行動作的人或物。
舉例
- I noticed that a window had been left open.
- Every year thousands of people are killed on our roads.
- All the cookies have been eaten.
- My car has been stolen!
被動語態常用在正式書寫上，改用主動語態會讓您的語句較清楚且容易理解。
| 被動 | 主動 |
|---|---|
| A great deal of meaning is conveyed by a few well-chosen words. | A few well-chosen words convey a great deal of meaning. |
| Our planet is wrapped in a mass of gases. | A mass of gases wrap around our planet. |
| Waste materials are disposed of in a variety of ways. | The city disposes of waste materials in a variety of ways. |
如果在用被動語態時仍想表明執行動作的人或物，這時候就要用介系詞 by。當我們知道做動作的人是誰，也要強調這個人或事物，改用主動語態總是會比較好。
| 被動 | 主動 |
|---|---|
| "A Hard Day's Night" was written by the Beatles. | The Beatles wrote "A Hard Day's Night". |
| The movie ET was directed by Spielberg. | Spielberg directed the movie ET. |
| This house was built by my father. | My father built this house. |
進一步了解所有英語動詞時態的被動語態與同義的主動語態寫法。
被動語態的構成
英語的被動語態是以兩個要素組成：
適當的 Be 動詞型態 + 過去分詞
| 肯定句 | 否定句 | 疑問句 | 否定疑問句 |
|---|---|---|---|
| The house was built in 1899. | The house wasn't built in 1899. | Was the house built in 1899? | Wasn't the house built in 1899? |
| These houses were built in 1899. | These houses weren't built in 1899. | Were these houses built in 1899? | Weren't these houses built in 1899? |
被動語態，以 to clean 為例
| 主詞 | + Be 動詞（經過詞形變化） | + 過去分詞 | + 句子的其餘字詞 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 現在簡單式 | |||
| The house | is | cleaned | every day. |
| 現在進行式 | |||
| The house | is being | cleaned | at the moment. |
| 過去簡單式 | |||
| The house | was | cleaned | yesterday. |
| 過去進行式 | |||
| The house | was being | cleaned | last week. |
| 現在完成式 | |||
| The house | has been | cleaned | since you left. |
| 過去完成式 | |||
| The house | had been | cleaned | before they arrived. |
| 未來簡單式 | |||
| The house | will be | cleaned | next week. |
| 未來進行式 | |||
| The house | will be being | cleaned | tomorrow. |
| 現在條件式 | |||
| The house | would be | cleaned | if they had visitors. |
| 過去條件式 | |||
| The house | would have been | cleaned | if it had been dirty. |
| 不定式 | |||
| The house | must be | cleaned | before we arrive. |
帶有不定詞的被動語態
不定被動語態用於情態助動詞後，還有其他多數接不定詞的動詞後。
舉例
- You have to be tested on your English grammar.
- John might be promoted next year.
- She wants to be invited to the party.
- I expect to be surprised on my birthday.
- You may be disappointed.
帶有動名詞的被動語態
動名詞用在介系詞後，以及一般會接動名詞的動詞後。
舉例
- I remember being taught to drive.
- The children are excited about being taken to the zoo.
- The children are excited to be taken to the zoo.
- Most film stars hate being interviewed.
- Most film stars hate to be interviewed.
- Poodles like to be pampered.
- Poodles like being pampered.
to be born 的用法
「to be born」是一種被動型態，而且多數主要用於過去式。然而在某些情況下，使用現在式或未來式也很妥當。
舉例
- I was born in 1976.
- Where were you born?
- Around 100 babies are born in this hospital every week.
- We don't know on exactly which day the baby will be born.
有時被動語態的構成會用動詞 to get 或 to have 來取代 Be 動詞。關於這部分，可以參考構成被動語態的替代方法。