Phrase
passive voice
/ˈpæsiv vɔis/
noun
被动语态
The form of a transitive verb whose subject receives the action, rather than performing it.
- 1.
The form of a transitive verb in which its subject receives the action.
被动式；被动态
In use
In English, the passive voice is often used to emphasize the action rather than the doer.
My teacher advised me to avoid using the passive voice in academic writing.
The passive voice can make a sentence sound more formal.
in the passive voice
This sentence is written in the passive voice.
这个句子是被动式。
use the passive voice
Use the passive voice to focus on the action.
使用被动式来强调动作。
form the passive voice with
Form the passive voice with 'be' and a past participle.
用be和过去分词构成被动式。
Common mistakes
The book was read by me.I read the book.
中文学习者常过度使用被动语态，因为在中文中，主动表被动或省略被动标记更常见。改为主动语态更自然简洁。
The window was broken.The window was broken by someone.
中文被动句常省略施动者，但英语被动语态中，如果需要明确施动者，要用by短语。此处补充by someone使句子更完整。
Connections
Confusing words
- active voice
- 主动语态 · 指主语执行动作的语态，与被动语态结构相反：主动语态用动词原形，被动语态用be+过去分词。
- past participle
- 过去分词 · 被动语态的核心成分之一（be+过去分词），但过去分词本身不构成语态，也可用于完成时或形容词。
- by-phrase
- by短语 · 被动语态中引出动作执行者的介词短语，但不是语态本身。缺少by-phrase的被动句仍然是被动语态。
Learner notes
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.