决定动词用主动语态还是被动语态主要看动词和主语的关系。如果主语是动作的执行者,它们就是主动关系,动词就要用主动语态。如果它是动作的承受者,它们就是被动关系,动词就需要用被动语态。
主动语态(主语为动作的执行者) 被动语态(主语为动作的承受者)
Lu Xun wrote the book.The book was written by Lu Xun.
They took her to hospital.She was taken to hospital.
I painted the walls yellow.The walls were painted yellow.
被动语态很重要,因为在不少情况下,执行者不明确,不能或无须提及,句子中只有动作的承受者,它就成为句子的主语。
He was born in Wales.
Two people were injured in the accident.
Where is the new film showing?
I am to blame.
及物动词有宾语,把宾语用作主语时,它和动词才有被动关系。
Over a hundred people were invited to the banquet.
President Kennedy was assassinated.
不及物动词没有宾语,因此很少用于被动语态。但有些短语动词,即使是由不及物动词构成,也可以有宾语,因此可以用于被动语态:
A pedestrian was knocked over by a car.
They feel they are discriminated against.
All the invitations must be sent out today.
A press conference is about to be held.
非谓语动词(即动词的非限定形式)虽不能改为被动语态(因为被动语态是谓语的一种形式),却可以有被动形式(不定式、动名词等都有被动形式):
She asked to be given some work to do. (不定式)
He hated being flattered. (动名词)
Being protected by a wall, he felt quite safe. (分词)
一个主动结构的句子,若要变成被动结构,首先是把句子的宾语变成主语,其次把谓语改为被动语态,最后把原来的主语放到句末,前面加介词 by:
① 主语+谓语(跟不定式)
They were forced to work twelve hours a day.
The box was found to be empty.
② 主语+谓语(跟一名词作补语)
He was elected chairman.
She was called Cinderella.
③ 主语+谓语(加形容词等作补语)
The door was painted black.
The room should be kept clean.
④ 主语+谓语+保留宾语+其他部分
He was given something to read.
They are taught many subjects at school.
这类句子的主动结构有两个宾语即直接宾语和间接宾语,当句子变为被动结构时,间接宾语多变成主语,直接宾语保留下来,称为保留宾语(retained object)。
⑤ It+谓语+主语从句
It is said that his income is £200 an hour.
It is rumored that he is going to resign.