一、概说
英语的语态分主动语态和被动语态，主动语态表示主语是动作是执行者，而被动语态则表示主语是动作的承受者。被动语态由“助动词be+过去分词”构成：
Everybody respects him. 大家都尊敬他。 (主动语态)
He is respected by everybody. 他受到大家的尊敬。(被动语态)
二、主动语态如何变被动语态
1. 基本方法
将主动语态的宾语变为被动语态的主语，将主动谓语变为被动谓语(be+过去分词)，将主动语态的主语变为by短语(在被动句中用作状语)：
He stole our money.→Our money was stolen by him.
注：(1)若不强调动词执行者，被动语态中的by短语通常可以省略：
The house was built in 1978. 这座房子是1978年建的。
(2) 在转变语态时，要注意保持两种语态时态的一致性：
The students will study the problem.
→The problem will be studied by the students.
A friend of ours is repairing the roof.
→The roof is being repaired by a friend of ours.
2. 双宾动词的被动语态
双宾动词即指带双宾语的动词，它们在变为被动语态时，有以下两种情形值得注意：
(1) 有些双宾动词(如award, buy, give, leave, lend, offer, pay, show, teach, tell等)在变为被动语态时，既可把间接宾语(指人)变为被动语态的主语，而把直接宾语(指事物)保留下来(称为保留宾语)，也可把直接宾语(指事物)变为被动语态的主语，而把间接宾语改为介词to 或for引起的状语(到底用to还是for，与所搭配的动词有关)。比较：
He gave her some money. 他给她一些钱。
→ She was given some money. / Some money was given to him.
He bought her a watch. 他给她买了一快表。
→ A watch was bought for her. / She was bought a watch.
(2) 有些双宾动词(如bring, do, make, pass, sell, send, sing, write等)通常用直接宾语(指事物)作被动语态的主语，而将间接宾语用作保留宾语(其前根据情况用介词to或for)：
Father made me a doll. → A doll was made for me.
He wrote her a letter. → A letter was written to her.
(3) 有些双宾动词(如answer, deny, envy, refuse, save, spare等)通常用间接宾语(指人)作被动语态的主语，而将直接宾语用作保留宾语：
He answered me that question. → I was answered that question by him.
3. 含有情态动词的被动形式
若主动语态中谓语含有情态动词，在相应的被动语态中通常应保留该情态动词，其结构为“情态动词+be(或be的适当形式)+过去分词”：
Everyone must know this. →This must be known by everyone.
请看以下带情态动词被动句实例：
This can’t be done in a short time. 这不是短期内可以完成的。
She may have been sent to work elsewhere. 她可能被派到别处工作去了。
The door must have been locked by my wife. 门一定是我妻子锁的。
The environment should be improved. 环境应当改善。
The second point needn’t be discussed today. 第二点今天不必讨论。
三、非谓语动词的被动语态
1. 不定式的被动语态
由“to be+过去分词”构成：
He needs to be taken care of. 他需要人照顾。
Not a sound was to be heard. 听不到一点声音。
It’s better to be prepared than unprepared. 有准备比没有准备好。
注：有时用不定式的完成体被动式(to have been+过去分词)：
I should like to have been told the result earlier. 我本想让人把结果早点告诉我。
2. 现在分词的被动语态
由“being+过去分词”构成：
The building being repaired is our library. 正在维修的那座楼是我们的图书馆。
Being protected by a wall，he felt quite safe. 有一堵墙保护，他感到很安全。
He was seen being taken away by the police. 有人看见他被警察带走了。
注：有时用现在分词的完成体被动式(having been+过去分词)：
Having been invited to speak, I’ll start making preparations tomorrow. 因为邀请我去讲话，我明天就得做准备。
3. 动名词的被动语态
由“being+过去分词”构成：
She likes being looked at. 她喜欢被人瞧。
He objected to being treated as a child. 他反对被当成孩子看待。
This question is far from being settled. 这个问题远没解决。
4. 过去分词没有被动式
但过去分词本身可以表示被动意义：
The door remained locked. 门仍然锁着。
三、不用于被动语态的情形
1. 不及物动词没有被动语态
因为不及物动词没有宾语，所以若将其用于被动语态则没有主语，故不能用于被动语态。但是值得注意的是，有些英语中的不及物动词，译成汉语时却可能是“及物”的，很容易出错，这类动词如：take place(发生)，happen(发生)，come about(发生)，break out(爆发)，appear(出现)，disappear(消失)，last(持续)，arise(出现，发生)等：
A fire broke out during the night. 夜间发生了火灾。
Influenza usually breaks out in winter. 流感通常发生在冬季。
Use this money when the need arises. 有需要时就使用这笔钱。
2. 某些静态动词不用于被动语态
英语有些静态动词(如have, lack, fit, hold, suit, resemble 等)通常不用于被动语态，如以下各句均不能变为被动语态：
My shoes don’t fit me. 我的鞋不合适。
The young man lacks experience. 这个年轻人缺乏经验。
The hall holds 1000 people. 大厅可容纳1000人。
3. 宾语为相互代词和反身代词时不用于被动语态
由于相互代词和反身代词通常不能用作主语，所以当它们用作动词宾语时，句子不能转换成被动语态：
We should help each other. 我们应该互相帮助。
He could see himself in the mirror. 他在镜子中可以看到自己。
五、关于get＋过去分词
英语被动语态通常由“助动词be+过去分词”构成，有时也可用“get+过去分词”构成：
James got beaten last night. 詹姆斯昨晚被打了。
How did that window get opened? 那个窗户是如何打开的？
Cleaning women in big cities usually get paid by the hour. 大城市的清洁女工通常按小时计酬。
但总的说来，用get构成的被动语态不如用be构成的被动语态常见，尤其是在含有施动者的by短语时，用get构成被动语态更是少见。不过有时用be+过去分词构成被动语态构成误解时，人们可能会选get+过去分词来避免这种误解：
The window was broken. 窗户破了(表状态)。/ 窗户被打破了(表动作)
The window got broken. 窗户被打破了(表动作)
六、主动表被动的若干情形
1. 谓语动词用主动表被动的五种情形
(1) 某些连系动词(如look, sound, smell, feel, taste, prove等)要用主动表被动，因为连系动词为不及物动词，它们没有被动语态形式：
That dog looks dangerous. 那只狗看起来很危险。
Your idea sounds a good one. 你的想法听起来很好。
My advice proved to be wrong. 我的意见证实是错的。
(2) 当open, shut, lock, move等用作不及物动词且表示主语的某种属性时，通常用主动形式表示被动意义：
The door won’t shut. 这门关不上。
The supermarket doors shut automatically. 超级市场的门是自动关的。
注：该用法的不及物动词通常与can’t, won’t 等连用，注意它与用被动语态含义不同：
The window won’t shut. 这窗户关不上。(说明主语的属性――窗户有问题了)
The window won’t be shut. 这窗户将不用关上。(窗户本身没问题，只是不用关)
有时可能用主动和被动形式均可，只是强调重点稍有不同：
Suddenly the door opened. 突然门开了。(不强调动作执行者)
The door was suddenly opened. 门突然被打开了。(强调动作执行者)
(3) 当read, wash, clean, cook, cut, wear, carry等用作不及物动词且表示主语的某种属性时，通常要用主动形式表示被动意义：+
The cloth washes well. 这种布料好洗。
The book sells quickly. 这书销售得快。
This cheese doesn’t cut easily. It’s too soft. 这乳酪不容易切，太软了。
This shirt will wear very long. 这衬衫可以穿很久。
注：该用法通常与well, easily, slowly, quickly等副词连用，并且在用于以上意思时通常不宜直接使用被动语态形式。不过在某些特殊情况下也可用被动语态，只是含义稍有不同(用主动形式表示主语的属性，用被动形式表示动作执行者所执行的动作)：
The sentences read clearly. 这些句子读起来很清楚。(即这句子没有歧义)
The sentences are read clearly. 这些句子被读得很清楚。(指读的人读得好)
另外，以上用法有时也可能用于进行时态：
The vegetables are cooking. 蔬菜正在煮着。
Is the book selling well? 这书销售情况如何?
(4) 某些表示开始和结束的动词(begin, start, finish, end等)，当主语为事物且不强调动作的执行者时，可用主动语态表示被动意义：
When does the concert begin? 音乐会什么时候开始？
The play ended at ten o’clock. 戏10点钟结束。
(5) 有的动词本身含有被动意味，通常用主动形式来表示被动含义：
Where is the new film showing? 这部电影在哪里放映?
My skirt caught on a nail. 我的裙子被钉子钩住了。
Soon the house filled with people. 很快房子就挤满了人。
2. 非谓语动词用主动表被动的八种情形
(1) 不定式to blame, to let用作表语时，通常要用主动表被动：
Who is to blame? 该怪谁呢？
The house is to let. 此屋出租。
(2) 某些“be+形容词+to do”结构中的不定式通常要用主动形式表示被动意义：
The question is difficult to answer. 这问题很难回答。
Your writing is impossible to read. 你的书法没法认。
Do you think the water is safe to drink? 你认为这水喝起来安全吗?
注：①这类结构的特点是句子主语就是其后不定式的逻辑宾语，按理说其中的不定式要用被动形式，但习惯上却要用主动表被动。这类形容词常见的有awkward, convenient, dangerous, difficult, easy, hard, impossible, interesting, nice, pleasant, safe, tough, tricky, unpleasant 等。
② 有时形容词后跟有名词，在名词后用作定语的不定式用主动表被动：
It’s a difficult book to read. 那是一本难读的书。
It is a pleasant thing to remember. 这是一件值得记住的愉快的事。
③ 有少数用于类似结构的形容词(如fit, ready, free等)，其中的不定式用主动式和被动式均可：
The water is not fit to drink [to be drunk]. 这水不适合饮用。
The letters are ready to post [to be posted]. 这信已准备好可以寄了。
(3) 不定式用于某些动词(如have, have got, get, want, need等)的宾语后作定语时，如果不定式的逻辑主语就是句子的主语，则要用主动形式表示被动意义：
I have some letters to write. 我有一些信要写。
I want something to drink. 我想喝点什么。
I want to get something to read. 我想找点东西阅读。
注：如果不定式的逻辑主语不是句子的主语，则应用被动式，比较：
I have something to type. 我有些东西要打(字)。(指自己打字)
I have something to be typed. 我有些东西要打(字)。(指请人打字)
(4) 不定式用于某些双宾动词(如give, show, buy, lend, get等)的直接宾语后作定语时，如果不定式的逻辑主语就是直接宾语前的间接宾语，通常用主动形式表示被动意义：
Give me some magazines to read. 给我几本杂志看。
He lent me some magazines to read. 我借给我一些杂志看。
注：如果不定式的逻辑主语不是直接宾语前的间接宾语，则应用被动式，比较：
He will show you the path to take. 他将告诉你走什么道路。
He will show you the room to be used as the meeting-room. 他将带你去看看用作会议室的房间。
但有时两者区别不大：
Give me a list of the people to invite [to be invited]. 把需要邀请的人员名单给我。
(5) 不定式用于修饰“there be+名词”中的名词时，可用主动式，也可用被动式，有时含义差不多：
There is too much work to do [to be done]. 要做的工作太多了。
但有时含义有差别(不定式用主动式可视为其前省略了for sb，用被动式可视为其后省略了by sb)：
There is nothing to do. 无事可做。(含有无聊之意)
There is nothing to be done. 不能做什么了。(指没有办法了)
There is nothing to see. 没什么可看的。(即不值一看)
There is nothing to be seen. 没看见什么。(指没东西看)
(6) 涉及副词enough和too的主动表被动。在 too…to do sth 和…enough to do sth这两个结构中，若句子主语与其后不定式为to do sth被动关系，则该不定式通常用主动形式表示被动意义(但也可直接用被动式)：
The writing is too faint to read [to be read]. 这笔迹太模糊，看不清。
These boxes are not strong enough to use [to be used] as a platform. 这些箱子不够牢，不能用作站台。
但在某些特别强调被动意义的语境中，可能用被动式更恰当：
He spoke in a voice too low to be heard. 他说话的声音太低，听不见。
He is too young to be sent to
(7) be worth后的动名词要用主动表被动：
In all, the book is worth reading. 总之，这本书值得一读。
This might be worth thinking about. 这可能值得考虑。
注：与worth相似的worthy却不一样，其后不接动名词而接不定式(若接动名词则其前应有介词of)，且要用被动式表示被动含义：
This book is worthy to be read [of being read]. 这本书值得一读。
(8) 在need, want, require等少数表示“需要”的动词后的动名词用主动形式表被动意义：
The plants want watering every day. 这些花草得天天浇水。
This wall requires repairing. 这面墙需要修理了。
注：① 以上结构虽的动名词改用不定式则要用被动式表示被动意义：
This sentence needs explaining [to be explained]. 这个句子需要解释。
② 它们后接名词时也可表示被动意义：
It needs no explanation. 它无需解释。
This plan requires careful consideration. 这项计划需要仔细考虑。
3. 某些介词短语用主动表被动的六种情形
(1) “beyond+名词”：
The rumor is beyond belief. 这谣言难以置信。
The children were beyond control. 这些孩子不听管教。
注：这类表达中的名词前通常没有冠词，且该名词一般都具有动作意义，类似的结构还有beyond compare(无可比拟)，beyond description(难以形容)，beyond (all) doubt(毫无疑问)，beyond expression(无法形容)，beyond suspicion(无可怀疑)，等。
(2) “in+名词”短语：
When was paper money in use in
Please do not enter the classroom while a lesson is in progress. 上课时请勿进教室。
注：这类表达中的名词前通常没有冠词，且该名词一般都具有动作意义，类似的结构还有 in action(在运转)，in sight(看得见)，in (good) repair(维修良好的)，in store(贮藏着)， in use (在使用中)等。
(3) “in course of+名词”短语：
The new railway is in course of construction. 新铁路正在兴建当中。
The goods ordered are now in course of shipment. 定的货正在运输途中。
注：有些类似的短语有the表被动，无the表主动：
in charge of 负责 in the charge of 由…负责
in possession of 拥有 in the possession of 被…拥有
(4) “on+名词”短语(www.yygrammar.com)：
The building is on fire. 那幢房子正在燃烧。
Every article on view will be on sale. 每件展品都将出售。
注：这类表达中的名词前通常没有冠词，且该名词一般都具有动作意义，类似的结构还有on trial(在试用)，on display(在展出)，on show(在展出)，on exhibition(在展出)等。
(5) “under+名词”短语：
The new music hall is under construction. 新的音乐大厅正在修建中。
Your proposal is under consideration. 你的提议正在考虑中。
注：这类短语的名词前不用冠词，类似的还有under arrest(被逮捕)，under attack(受到袭击)，under consideration(在考虑中)，under construction(在建设中)，under cultivation(被耕种)，under discussion(在讨论中)， under examination(在检查或调查中)，under fire(在炮火中，在攻击中)，under investigation(在调查中)，under medical treatment(在治疗中)，under repair(在修缮中)，under review(在检查中)，under study(在研究中。
(6)其他介词短语。除以上提到的几种情况外，还有一些介词短语也可表示被动意味，如for sale(供出售)，for rent(供出租)，at one’s service(听凭某人使用)，above reproach(无可指责，无可非议)，above suspicion(不受怀疑)，above criticism(无可指责)，within sight(看得见)等。
七、两类被动句型的转换
英语中有一种主动句可以转换成两种被动句型，它们通常是一些表示客观说明的句子，如：
People believed that she is honest. 大家相信她是诚实的。
→ It’s believed that she is honest. 大家相信她是诚实的。
→ She is believed to be honest. 大家相信她是诚实的。
比较上面两类被动句型可以发现，一类是“it+be+过去分词+that从句”，另一类则是“主语+be+过去分词+不定式”(其中的“主语”为前一类句型中that从句中的主语)，通常可用于这两类被动句型的动词有assume, believe, expect, fear, feel, know, presume, report, say, suppose, think, understand等，比较(同时注意其中时态和动词形式的变化)：
It’s expected that he will come soon. / He is expected to come soon. 预计他很快就会来。
It’s expected that he has come. / He is expected to have come. 估计他会已经来了。
It’s known that is a good singer. / He is known to be a good singer. 大家知道他是位优秀的歌手。
It’s known that was a good singer. / He is known to have been a good singer. 大家知道他曾是位优秀的歌手。
八、重点考点原创精练
1. We looked and looked, but the ring was nowhere _____.
A. to find B. to be found C. finding D. being found
2. The president _____ a cool reception when he visited
A. gave B. was given C. had given D. had been given
3. The students _____ ￡
A. give B. are given C. have given D. to give
4. I ______ from football practice because I had a cold.
A. excused B. was excused C. had excused D. had been excused
5. A red sky in the morning ______ to be a sign of bad weather.
A. says B. is saying C. has said D. is said
6. The bridge, which _____ 1688, needs repairing.(www.yygrammar.com)
A. is dated from B. was dated from C. dates from D. dated from
7. He was angry _____ your work. He said that he _____ at all.
A. at, didn’t satisfy B. to, didn’t satisfy
C. at, wasn’t satisfied D. to, wasn’t satisfied
8. Charles Babbage _______ to have invented the first telephone.
A. considered B. had considered C. was considered D. had considered
9. “Do you know the girl in red?” “She seems to _____ me at last month’s party. But I’m not sure.
A. introduce to B. be introduced to
C. be introduced to D. have been introduced to
10. New medicines and instruments ______ every day to extend life.
A. develop B. are being developed
C. are developing D. have developed
11. It used to _______ that the Earth was flat.
A. think B. be thinking C. be thought D. have thought
参考答案：1―5 BBCBD 6―10 CCCCB 11 C