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第十七章 被动语态

一、被动语态概述

英语有两种语态：主动语态和被动语态。主动语态表示主语是谓语动作的执行者，被动语态表示主语是谓语动作的承受者，其构成为be+过去分词，例如：

A letter was typed by Mary.

The girl is taken care of by her mother.

被动语态各种时态形式如下：

一般现在时： am / is /are asked

一般过去时： was /were asked

一般将来时: shall / will be asked

现在进行时： am / is / are being asked

过去进行时： was / were being asked

现在完成时： has / have been asked

过去完成时： had been asked

将来完成时： shall / will have been asked

过去将来完成时：should / would have been asked

Note:

1.含有情态动词的谓语变为被动语态时，由“情态动词(can, may, must等)+be+过去分词”构成。例如：

The work must be finished in two days.

2.含有“be going to, be to”等结构的复合谓语变为被动语态时，其结构分别为 "be going to be+过去分词，be to be+过去分词"。例如 ：

Another railway is going to be built in this area.

The trip is to be cancelled because of the bad weather.

二、被动语态使用要点

（一）不及物动词不能用于被动语态

有些不及物动词不能用于被动语态，如appear, rise, die, happen, occur, lie, depart, belong to, break out, take place等都属此类动词。例如：

Great changes have taken place in my hometown. （正）

Great changes have been taken place in my hometown.（误）

（二）表示状态的动词不能用于被动语态

英语中有些动词（短语动词）不是表示动作，而是表示某种状态或情况，这类动词不能用于被动语态，常见的有：lack, fit, mean, hold, resemble, have, cost, equal, contain, suit, comprise, become, last possess, benefit, lack befall,fail, consist of, look like等。例如：

The book costs ten yuan. （正）

Ten yuan is costed by the book. （误）

Jane resembles her mother.（正）

Her mother is resembled by Jane.（误）

Note:

当have作“吃，接收，经历，度过”解时，虽用作行为动词，但一般不用于被动语态。例如：

The children had a most enjoyable holiday.（正）

A most enjoyable holiday was had by the children.（误）

但当have作“得到，获得，欺骗”解，或同某些介词、副词结合构成及物性短语动词时，可用于被动语态。例如：

She has been had in the dealing.

Geogred has been had over the bargain.

The ticket can be had for the asking.

（三）某些动词的进行时也可表示被动意义

某些动词的进行时也可表示被动意义，常见的这类词有：bake, owe, cook, print, do等。例如：

The meat is cooking.

The cakes are baking.

The money is still owing.

The book is printing.

Apples are selling cheaply.

A new film is showing in town.

（四）不及物动词构成的短语动词能否用于被动语态

不及物动词构成的短语可以是及物性的，也可以是不及物性的；不及物性的短语动词不可用于被动词态，如look up / down, speak for等。例如：

The fact speaks for itself.（正）

Itself is spoken for by the fact.（误）

但是，不及物动词构成的及物性短语动词可以用于被动语态。例如 ：

That seat has been spoken for.

The man has always been looked upon with disapproval by his wife.

The problem has been gone into.

The bed has been slept in.

Note:

下列短语动词不可构成被动语态：

1.动词+介词→aim for, agree with, admit of，adjust to, come to，become of，belong to;

2.动词+副词→get back, face out，answer back，have on；

3.动词+名词+介词→set sail for, give way to， have a hand in，give place to;

4.动词+副词+介词→keep up with, give up to。例如：

He answered his father back. （正）

His father was answered back. （误）

The committee consists of ten members. （正）

Ten members are consisted of the committee.（误）

（五）主动形式表示被动意义的词

某些动词的主动形式可以表示被动意义，如：

A) 某些感官动词和系动词加形容词可以表示被动意义，如look, smell, taste, feel, prove, wear, sound等。

The flower smells sweet.

The dish tastes delicious.

The cloth feels very soft.

The music sounds dulcet.

B) 某些及物动词后加副词，也可以表示被动意义，如cut, clean, draw, lock, open, pack, play, peel, sell, shut, split, strike, record, iron, keep等。

This type of TV sells well.

Ripe apples peel easily.

The door won't shut.

The door opens with difficulty。

The meat cuts easily.

比较：

The door doesn't lock.这个门锁不上。（门本身的性质）

The door was not locked.这个门没有上锁。（门当时的状态）

The window opened. 窗户开了。（强调窗户自身开了。）

The window was opened. 窗户被打开了。（强调被人打开了）

C) deserve, need, require, repay, stand, take, want等词的后面可以用动名词的主动形式表示被动意义。若动名词是不及物的，后面应跟有介词。

This question deserves mentioning.

The coat requires washing.

The kids need taking care of.

The table wants cleaning.

D) 某些作表语的形容词后，用不定式主动形式表示被动意义。

The stone is hard to break.

It is easy to understand.

The meat is not fit to eat.

The book is difficult to read.

（六）祈使句的被动语态

肯定祈使句的被动语态结构为：let+宾语+be+过去分词；否定祈使句的被动结构为： Don't let+宾语+be+过去分词或let +宾语+not+be+过去分词。例如：

Move the table into the reading room.

Let the table be moved into the reading room.

Don't let him do it.

Don't let it be done (by him).

（七）不定式符号to在被动语态中不可省

在主动语态中，如果感官动词和使役动词后的宾语补足语是动词，这个动词前往往不带to，但在被动语态中要带to。例如：

I saw her pass by the windows.

She was seen to pass by the window.

The boss made Jim work overtime.

Jim was made to work overtime.

（八）get(got)+过去分词也可构成被动语态

get常同beat, break, burt, damage, dress, marry, paint, invite, repair, strike,tear等动词的过去分词连用，构成被动语态。例如：

John and Jane got married last month.

Jack got thrown out of college for failing his exams.

Finally the car got repaired.

He got dressed by his sister.

Note:

1.get 型被动语态一般都能用be型被动语态替代，但有些be型被动语态不可由get型被动语态替代。例如：

She was born in a small village.

The bridge is being built.

2.get+过去分词构成的被动语态句，后不用by短语表示执行者，而be+过去分词构成的被动语态句，后通常用by短语。例如：

The trip was spoiled by the downpour.（正）

The trip got spoiled by the downpour.（误）

3.get+过去分词有时具有感情色彩或言外之意。例如：

He got taught a lesson.他被教训了一顿。（有“活该”之意）

How did the window get closed? 窗户怎么关上了？（有“不该关上”之意）

（九）十一类不能变为被动语态的句子结构

十一类不能变为被动语态的句子结构包括：

A) 如果动词的宾语是反身代词或相互代词，不可变为被动语态。

The girl can already dress herself.

They often help each other.

B) 如果动词的宾语为主语身体的一部分，不可变为被动语态。

He shook his head at my suggestion.

She cried her eyes out.

但也有例外，这里，被动句不涉及到行为的发出者。例如 ：

Her eyes were fixed upon the picture.

C) 如果动词的宾语是用同源宾语，或是表示行为、态度的宾语，不可变为被动语态。

She dreamt a sweet dream.

I hope they will live a happy life.

He nodded assent.

The girl smiled her thanks.

但有例外：

Life must be lived.

The battle was fought on the sea.

D) 某些动词和宾语构成一个固定词组，不能变为被动语态。

常见的有：speak one's mind, lose one's heart, do one's best, make a face, keep watch, keep words, take one's place, make up one's mind, make room, make believe，keep one company, take one's time, take office, take one's leave, take notes, lose patience, take up arms, keep silence等。有些“动词+名词+介词”和“动词+介词 / 副词”也不可用被动语态，如：set foot on, keep company with, take leave of, set eyes on, join hands with, give ear to, accord with, look through等。例如：

She caught a very bad cold.

He ate his words.

E) 如果enter, reach, leave等的宾语是表示处所、地点（国家、团体、组织、军队等），不能变为被动语态。

F) 如果动词的宾语是动名词或不定式，不能变为被动语态。

He likes to watch sunrise on the mountain.

She started singing at the bell ring.

但少数已名词化的动名词可用于被动语态：feel, think, desire, decide, agree, suppose等；少数动词以不定式作宾语时，可变为以it作形式主语的被动语态。例如：

Almost everybody like swimming.

Swimming is liked by almost everybody.

Many people desire to have the tower rebuilt.

It was desired (by many people) to have the tower rebuilt.

G) 如果谓语时态是将来进行时或完成进行时，不能变为被动语态。

She will be watering the garden this time tomorrow.

The students have been cleaning the hall since 3 o'clock inthe afternoon.

H) 表示重量、大小、数量、长度、程度的名词宾语不可变为被动语态。

The stone weighs a ton.（正）

A ton was weighed by the stone. （误）

I) 含有had rather, would rather或情态动词dare的句子不可变为被动语态。

I would rather do it now.（正）

It would rather be done by me now.（误）

He dare not do it. （正）

It dare not be done.（误）

J) 虚指it 作宾语时不可变为被动语态的主语。

He will fight it out.（正）

It will be fought out by him.（误）

K) have作行为动词用时，一般不可变为被动语态。

He has had lunch.（正）

Lunch has been had by him.（误）

但少数习惯用法中有例外：

I think you've been had.我想你上当了。(had=tricked)

A good time was had by them all.他们都玩得很痛快。(had = enjoyed)

（十）只用不定式被动语态的句子

在英语的某些固定用法里，有些句子一般只用不定式被动语态。

例如：

Much remains to be done.

You are to be congratulated.

He is determined to be obeyed.

Children like to be praised.

She wants that to be done again.

It leaves much / nothing to be desired.

三、双重被动句

双重被动句是指句中谓语动词和其后的不定式均为被动结构，句子主语既是谓语动词的承受者，又是不定式动作的承受者。下面三种句子可以变为双重被动句：

主语+谓语动词+不定式+宾语

主语+谓语动词+that从句

主语+谓语动词+宾语+不定式被动式

例如：

She offered to buy a recorder for me.

A recorder was offered to be bought for me.

I think that she has read the book.

The book is thought by me to have been read by her.

I want the flowers to be watered this afternoon.

The flowers are wanted to be watered this afternoon.

一般来讲，主动语态和被动语态转换时，不会引起意义上的改变。但某些动词由主动变为被动时，则会引起句意的变化。比较下列几组句子在变为被动语态时句意上的变化：

He can not teach the boy. 他没有能力教这孩子。

The boy can not be taught. 这孩子没有能力学。

I shall pay the money today. 我今天将要付那笔钱。

The money shall be paid today. 那笔钱今天就必须付。

I suppose you know the answer. 我以为你知道答案的。

You are supposed to know te answer.你应该知道答案的。

People don't do such things twice. 人们不再次做这种事情。（陈述语气）

Such things are not done twice. 这种事情不许再次发生。（命令语气）

Why wouldt not Jim ride the white horse? 吉姆为什么不愿骑这匹白马呢？

Why wouldn't the white horse be ridden by Jim? 这匹白马为什么拒绝让吉姆骑呢？

五、不可用于被动语态的动词短语

有些动词短语（动词+介词），用其本义时，不可用于被动语态，只有用其转义时，才可用于被动语态。例如 ：

They looked into the case.

The case was looked into. （正，look into用于转义，意为examine, investigate）

She looked into the house.

The house was looked into.（误， look into用于本义，“朝里看”）

He arrived at the expected result.

The expected result was arrived at. （正，arrive at 用于转义，意为gain, achieve）

He arrived at the railway station.

The railway station was arrived at.（误，arrive at 用于本义，“到达”）

The police have gone through all the rooms.

All the rooms have been gone through by the police.（正，go through用于转义，意为search）

The piano won't go through the narrow entrance.

The narrow entrance won't be gone through by the piano.（误， go through用于本义，意为pass through）

An agreement has been reached at last.（正，“达成”）

The hilltop has been reached at last. （误，“到达”）

The murder case was gone into.（正，“调查”）

The room was gone into.（误，“走进”）

注意下面句子的正误：

Jane looked at Tom.

Tom was looked at. （正，look at 为固定动词短语，粘合力强）

Jane lived with Tom.

Tom was lived with.（误，live with两词关系松散，粘合力不强）

六、被动语态的使用范围

当需要强调动作的承受者、不知道或不便指出动作的执行者，或为求得行文的通顺时，可使用被动语态。例如：

A.不知道或不必指出动作的执行者。

The glass is broken.

The audience is asked to keep silence.

B.强调动作的承受者。

A subway will be built in the city.

Mr Li was elected chairman of the committee.

The first prize was won by Henry.

C.出于策略、婉转、礼貌等不提出动作的执行者。

Any suggestion or criticism are heartly appreciated.

About that project, much has been said but little has been done.

That plan was generally considered not practical.

D.避免变更主语，以求行文通顺。

The old professor wheeled himself to the platform and the students warmly applauded him.（不简洁）

The old professor wheeled himself to the platform and was warmly applauded by the students.（简洁、连贯）

Note:

1.有些时候，被动语态会给人一种冷淡、疏远、公事公办的感觉，或者可信度并不那么强。比较：

Aunt is taking care of the child.（主动，熟悉，亲切）

The child is being taken care of.（被动，疏远，冷淡）

Mother told me that.（主动，可信度强）

I was told about that on the train.（被动，可信度小）

2.被动句中的by短语通常可以省去。但如果by短语是句子的重点所在，或者没有by短语则句义不完全时，则不可省。例如：

The desk was made by my brother. （the desk为已知事物，my brother为新的信息, 不可省）

3.在被动句中，by短语通常位于过去分词之后；但如果有间接宾语或同其它状语并列使用时，则by短语通常位于其后。例如：

She was given a new pen by her father.

Taking a walk is considered a good exercise by most people.

They are watched naturally very closely by the soldiers.

七、被动意义的其他表示法

有些名词、介词、形容词等也可表示被动意义，例如：

（一）名词的被动意义

A)某些抽象名词与by、名词所有格或代词所有格等连用，可表示被动意义，如：

the conquer of Europe

the enemy's defeat by our army

children's education, the journalist's release

He was worried about Jim's dismissal from school and overjoyed at Helen's praise by the teacher.

比较：

German's occupation of Paris in World War Ⅱ（主动）

German's occupation by the Soviet Union at the end of World War Ⅱ（被动）

B)以-ee结尾的名词常含被动意义

employee雇员，examinee受试（审）者，nominee被提名者，addressee收信人

但：escapee逃亡者，refugee避难者，absentee缺席者，goatee山羊胡子，bottee幼儿毛线鞋，coatee（妇女和小孩的）短上衣，不含被动意义。

比较：

vendor= person who vends卖主

vendee= person to whom something is sold买主

trainer=person who trains训练员

trainee= person who is trained受训练的人

（二）形容词的被动意义

以-ible, -ble, -able和worthy结尾的形容词一般都具有被动意义。例如：pardonable, soluble, forgetable, trustworthy等。

（三）介词的被动意义

介词on, in, under, above, beyond, for, past等加名词可以表示被动意义。例如：on sale, on display,under arms（be armed), under discussion, in sight, in question, in good repair, for rent, beyond cure, above suspicion等。

（四）短语动词的被动意义

英语中有些短语动词含有被动意义，如: pass for (be accepted as) , come out (be published), come in (be introduced)，get the sack(be fired)，catch it (be blamed)，give place to (be succeeded, be replaced）等。例如：

The book sold out last month.

He would pass for an Chinese very easily.

The old house came down at last.

Despair will give place to hope.