被动语态:不止是"被"字那么简单
很多中文母语者对被动语态有"偏见"——觉得它就是"be + 过去分词",翻译过来加个"被"字就行了。实际上,英文中的被动语态用得非常频繁,尤其是在书面表达和正式场合中。掌握它,你的英文立刻上一个台阶。
先看结构:被动语态怎么造?
核心公式:be + 过去分词(Past Participle)。be 动词根据时态变化,过去分词保持不动。
The report was written by Sarah.
这份报告是 Sarah 写的。
These shoes are made in Italy.
这些鞋子在意大利制造。
The building will be completed next year.
这栋楼将在明年完工。
什么时候用被动语态?
不是随便把主动句翻个面就行。被动语态有它自己的使用场景:
场景一:动作的执行者不重要或不想说
My bike was stolen yesterday.
我的自行车昨天被偷了。(我不知道是谁偷的。)
Mistakes were made.
犯了错误。(不指名谁犯的错——政客爱用这招。)
场景二:动作的承受者才是你想强调的重点
The iPhone was invented by Steve Jobs' team.
iPhone 是由乔布斯团队发明的。(重点在 iPhone,不在乔布斯。)
场景三:客观陈述,不带主观色彩
学术写作、新闻报导、科学报告中,被动语态非常普遍,因为它听上去更客观。
It is believed that the Earth's climate is changing rapidly.
人们认为地球气候正在快速变化。(比"We believe…"更客观。)
最容易犯的三个错误
错误一:不及物动词不能用于被动
happen、arrive、die、sleep 等不及物动词没有被动形式。不能说 "He was happened" 或者 "She was died"。
错误二:混淆 by 和 with
by 后面跟人/执行者,with 后面跟工具/材料。
The door was opened by the manager. (人)
门是经理打开的。
The door was opened with a key. (工具)
门是用钥匙打开的。
错误三:被动后面直接加宾语
有些动词在被动语态中需要加介词,比如:
I was given a book. / A book was given to me.
有人给了我一本书。
不同时态中的被动语态
be 动词呼应时态,过去分词不变:
- 一般现在时:The room is cleaned every day.
- 一般过去时:The room was cleaned yesterday.
- 现在完成时:The room has been cleaned.
- 将来时:The room will be cleaned tomorrow.
- 现在进行时:The room is being cleaned right now.
一句话记住:被动语态不是"主动语态的反面",而是一种让表达更灵活的工具。当你不想说、不需要说、或者说不清"谁做的"的时候,用它就对了。