Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The passive voice shifts focus from who did the action to who or what received it using 'be' plus the third verb form.
- Use a form of 'be' (am/is/are/was/were) that matches the tense. Example: 'The cake is made.'
- Always use the Past Participle (V3) of the main verb. Example: 'The letter was written.'
- Add 'by' only if the person doing the action is important. Example: 'It was painted by Picasso.'
Overview
be 加上过去分词 (V3)——是理解和生成更细致英语的基础。这不仅是为了避免提及具体人名，更是为了控制句子的信息流，并根据不同语境调整沟通方式，从日常对话到正式报告。Someone stole my bicycle (有人偷了我的自行车)，你可能会说 My bicycle was stolen (我的自行车被偷了)，这样就把焦点完全转移到了自行车和这件不幸的事件上。The chef prepared the meal (厨师准备了这顿饭) 中，the chef 是主语（执行者），the meal 是宾语（承受者）。将它转换为被动语态时，原来的宾语（the meal）变成新的主语。动作（prepared）则使用 be + V3 的结构来表达，而原来的主语（the chef）可以被省略，或者使用介词 by 来引出。The meal was prepared by the chef. (这顿饭是厨师准备的)。注意 the meal 现在是焦点。英语中的这种机制是为了提供强调的灵活性，允许我们将沟通中最相关或最值得关注的元素放在句首。可以考虑 A new bridge is being built (一座新桥正在修建)。焦点在于桥梁及其修建过程，而不一定是建筑公司。I ate the apple (主动) 和 The apple was eaten by me (被动) 都是非常自然且常用的表达方式。被动语态在英语中扮演的角色比在中文里更重要，因为它提供了“谁做了”和“什么发生了”之间的选择性侧重。be + 过去分词 (V3)。助动词 be 是指示被动句时态的关键元素，而主要动词的过去分词 (V3) 形式保持不变。因此，理解如何在不同时态中正确地进行 be 的变位，对于准确构成被动语态至关重要。be 的变位：be 的形式 (Form) | 例子 (含 made) | 原主动句 (Original Active Sentence) |am / is / are | Coffee is made fresh daily. | They make coffee fresh daily. |was / were | The decision was made yesterday. | The committee made the decision yesterday. |has been / have been | The report has been made. | Someone has made the report. |will be | Reservations will be made. | We will make reservations. |modal + be | It must be made. | You must make it. |-ed 结尾（例如：prepare -> prepared，finish -> finished）。对于不规则动词，V3 形式必须记忆，因为它不遵循可预测的模式（例如：make -> made，write -> written，see -> seen）。规则动词和不规则动词过去分词之间的区别，是B1水平学习者常见的挑战。break | broke | broken |do | did | done |eat | ate | eaten |give | gave | given |go | went | gone |know | knew | known |see | saw | seen |take | took | taken |write | wrote | written |be 动词形式。例如，如果原主动句是一般现在时，你的被动句将使用 am、is 或 are + V3。如果是一般过去时，你将使用 was 或 were + V3。The document was signed this morning. (一般过去时被动语态)be 总是直接跟在情态动词后面：The tasks should be completed by Friday. (情态动词被动语态)be 动词的不同形式，需要特别注意。- 当执行者未知或不重要时 (When the agent is unknown or unimportant): 这是使用被动语态最常见的原因。如果你不知道谁执行了某个动作，或者这个信息不相关，被动语态允许你构建一个语法正确且信息丰富的句子，而无需具体说明执行者。
My wallet was found in the park. (我的钱包在公园里被找到了。—— 我们不知道是谁找到的，或者这不重要)。Mistakes were made. (犯了一些错误。—— 这是一个承认错误的经典说法，而不指明具体个人)。- 当强调动作或承受者时 (When the emphasis is on the action or the receiver): 被动语态可以将焦点完全放在事件本身，或者承受该动作的物品/人身上，而不是执行者。
A new hospital will be built next year. (一座新医院将在明年建成。—— 医院的建设是关键信息，而不是具体谁来建)。The award was given to Dr. Chen. (奖项被颁给了陈博士。—— 陈博士和奖项是核心内容)。- 在正式、科学或学术写作中 (In formal, scientific, or academic writing): 被动语态通常能带来客观、非个人化的语调，这在学术论文、科学报告和官方公告中是更受推崇的。这种风格强调过程、发现和观察，而不是研究人员或作者。
Experiments were conducted to verify the hypothesis. (进行了实验来验证假设。)The data was analyzed using statistical software. (使用统计软件分析了数据。)This report has been approved by the board. (本报告已由董事会批准。)- 为避免提及执行者（或为了委婉）(To avoid mentioning the agent (or to be diplomatic)): 有时，你可能故意省略执行者，也许是为了避免承担责任，或者为了礼貌。
Your application has been reviewed. (您的申请已被审阅。) 这句话通常比 We have reviewed your application. (我们已审阅了您的申请。) 更委婉，尤其是在结果不理想或需要进一步处理时。The package was not delivered on time. (包裹未按时送达。) 这陈述了事实，而没有直接指责快递公司。- 当执行者从语境中显而易见时 (When the agent is obvious from the context): 如果执行动作的人很清楚，就没有必要说明。
It was painted in the 17th century. (它是在17世纪绘制的。) 暗示了“由一位艺术家绘制”，这是不言自明的。The suspect was arrested by the police. (嫌疑人被警察逮捕了。) 中的 by the police 常常是多余的，因为这是大家普遍理解的。be动词时态错误 (Incorrectbeform for the tense): 最普遍的错误之一是使用了错误的be动词时态。请记住，be动词承载着句子的时态。如果一个事件发生在过去，be必须是其过去形式 (was/were)。如果是一个普遍真理，be则是现在形式 (is/are)。
The letter is sent yesterday.The letter was sent yesterday. (因为“昨天”这个时间状语表明动作发生在过去，所以 be 需要是过去式 was）。yesterday 或 next week 等副词指示的时间框架来调整 be 动词。- 使用 V2 (一般过去式) 而不是 V3 (过去分词) (Using V2 (simple past) instead of V3 (past participle)): 被动语态严格要求使用过去分词。许多不规则动词有不同的 V2 和 V3 形式，这可能令人困惑。
The book was wrote by him.The book was written by him. (wrote 是 V2；written 是 V3）。- 完全省略
be动词 (Omitting thebeverb entirely): 助动词be是构成被动语态不可或缺的部分。没有它，句子就会在语法上不正确，或者意思完全改变。
The decision made quickly.The decision was made quickly.a broken window - 破损的窗户）。- 过度使用被动语态 (Overusing the passive voice): 虽然被动语态很有用，但如果过度使用，会使写作显得笨拙、过于正式或含糊不清。主动语态通常更直接、简洁、引人入胜。
The report was written by me. (如果执行者很重要且清晰)。I wrote the report.- 混淆 V3 的形容词用法与被动语态 (Confusing adjectival use of V3 with passive voice): 过去分词有时也可以用作形容词。虽然它们也使用
be动词，但它描述的是主语的状态，而不是被执行了一个动作，这一点与被动语态不同。
The window is broken. (窗户是破损的。—— 描述窗户的状态)。The window was broken by the storm. (窗户被风暴打碎了。—— 描述了一个施加在窗户上的动作)。be + V3。关键区别在于 V3 是描述一个持续的状态（形容词）还是一个可能带有执行者的已完成动作（被动语态）。要区分它们，可以寻找隐含或明确的执行者。be 动词形式直接体现时态。因此，在涉及过去、现在、将来时态的被动语态时，务必确保 be 的形式正确。be + V3 有时会与其他结构混淆，特别是形容词的用法。be + Past Participle (V3) | be + Past Participle (V3) |by 引出 (Optional, often with by) | 无执行者，描述状态 (No agent, describes a state) |The cake was eaten. (蛋糕被吃了。) | The cake is eaten. (蛋糕是（已）被吃的。) - 描述状态 |The window was broken by the wind. (窗户被风打碎了。) | The window is broken. (窗户是破的。) - 描述状态 |The door is closed. (门是关着的。) — 描述门当前的状态。The door was closed by John. (门被约翰关上了。) — 描述一个动作（关门）发生在门上，并且执行者是约翰。The door is closed 这种用法非常普遍，它功能上更接近形容词。但当你想表达“门被关上了”这个动作时，并且要指出是谁做的，那么被动语态 was closed 才是正确的。be + V3 这种结构是不是只有被动语态一种用法？be 构成描述状态的句子。例如 He is interested in music. (他对音乐感兴趣) 中的 interested 是过去分词作形容词。区分的关键在于句子是否有隐含的执行者，以及强调的是“动作”还是“状态”。- 1分类记忆： 将不规则动词按 V1, V2, V3 分组背诵。
- 2高频优先： 先集中记忆最常用的不规则动词（如
go,do,make,see,take,write,eat等）。 - 3在语境中学： 在阅读和听力中留意这些词的用法，特别是它们在被动语态中的出现。
- 4多做练习： 通过填空、改写句子等练习来巩固记忆。
by 后面一定要加人名或事物吗？by 后面可以加执行者（by the teacher），也可以加工具或手段（by hand, by train）。如果执行者是泛指的“某人”、“某物”（someone, something），或者不重要，通常会省略 by 短语。例如：The window was broken. (窗户被打破了。) — 省略了执行者。2. Negative Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Usage |
|---|---|---|
|
is not
|
isn't
|
Singular Present
|
|
are not
|
aren't
|
Plural Present
|
|
was not
|
wasn't
|
Singular Past
|
|
were not
|
weren't
|
Plural Past
|
Passive Voice: Tense Formation
| Tense | Be Form | Past Participle | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
am / is / are
|
V3
|
The mail is delivered.
|
|
Past Simple
|
was / were
|
V3
|
The mail was delivered.
|
|
Present Continuous
|
am/is/are being
|
V3
|
The mail is being delivered.
|
|
Past Continuous
|
was/were being
|
V3
|
The mail was being delivered.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
have / has been
|
V3
|
The mail has been delivered.
|
|
Future (Will)
|
will be
|
V3
|
The mail will be delivered.
|
|
Modals
|
can/must/should be
|
V3
|
The mail must be delivered.
|
Meanings
A grammatical construction where the subject of the sentence is the person or thing affected by the action, rather than the one performing it.
Focus on the Object
Used when the thing receiving the action is more important than who did it.
“The pyramids were built thousands of years ago.”
“My car is being repaired today.”
Unknown or Obvious Agent
Used when we don't know who did the action, or it is so obvious we don't need to say it.
“My bike was stolen last night!”
“The thief was arrested at the scene.”
Formal/Polite Distance
Used to sound more objective or to avoid blaming someone directly.
“A mistake has been made in your account.”
“Smoking is not permitted in this area.”
Reference Table
| 时态 | Be 动词形式 | 主动语态例子 | 被动语态例子 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
一般现在时
|
is / are
|
He eats an apple.
|
An apple **is eaten**.
|
|
一般过去时
|
was / were
|
She wrote a letter.
|
A letter **was written**.
|
|
现在进行时
|
is / are being
|
They are building a house.
|
A house **is being built**.
|
|
过去进行时
|
was / were being
|
He was fixing the car.
|
The car **was being fixed**.
|
|
现在完成时
|
has / have been
|
She has read the book.
|
The book **has been read**.
|
|
过去完成时
|
had been
|
I had finished the report.
|
The report **had been finished**.
|
|
一般将来时
|
will be
|
They will announce the news.
|
The news **will be announced**.
|
|
情态动词
|
modal + be
|
You must finish the task.
|
The task **must be finished**.
|
正式程度
The mobile device was misappropriated. (Reporting a theft)
My phone was stolen. (Reporting a theft)
My phone got nicked. (Reporting a theft)
My blower was jacked. (Reporting a theft)
被动语态：基础核心
核心组成
- Be 动词 匹配时态和主语
- 过去分词 (V3) 动词的第三种形式 (如 done, eaten)
何时使用
- 执行者未知/不重要 The crime was committed.
- 强调动作/接收者 The monument was built.
- 正式/客观性 Research was conducted.
主动转被动
- 宾语变主语 The ball was hit.
- 动词变 be + V3 They hit the ball.
- (可选) By 执行者 by the player.
常见错误
- 漏掉 Be The email sent. (🚫)
- Be 形式错误 The books was read. (🚫)
- V3 形式错误 The cake was ate. (🚫)
主动语态 vs. 被动语态
如何构建基础被动语态
你想强调动作还是接收者？
找出主动句中的宾语。
主动句的动词是什么时态？
主语动词的过去分词 (V3) 是什么？
执行者是否重要到必须提及？
被动语态时态示例
现在时
- • is eaten
- • are read
- • is being built
过去时
- • was written
- • were found
- • was being repaired
完成时
- • has been sent
- • have been reviewed
- • had been forgotten
将来/情态
- • will be delivered
- • can be done
- • should be discussed
按水平分级的例句
The apple is eaten.
L'apple est mangée.
The letters are sent.
Les lettres sont envoyées.
The car is washed.
La voiture est lavée.
The door is closed.
La porte est fermée.
The cake was made by my mom.
Le gâteau a été fait par ma mère.
The windows were cleaned yesterday.
Les fenêtres ont été nettoyées hier.
Is the homework finished?
Est-ce que les devoirs sont finis ?
The movie was not filmed in London.
Le film n'a pas été tourné à Londres.
The documents were stolen from the office.
Les documents ont été volés au bureau.
Rice is grown in many Asian countries.
Le riz est cultivé dans de nombreux pays asiatiques.
The meeting was cancelled at the last minute.
La réunion a été annulée à la dernière minute.
These smartphones are produced in China.
Ces smartphones sont produits en Chine.
The suspect is being questioned by the police.
Le suspect est en train d'être interrogé par la police.
The project should be completed by Friday.
Le projet devrait être terminé d'ici vendredi.
It was discovered that the data was incorrect.
Il a été découvert que les données étaient incorrectes.
He was given a second chance to explain.
On lui a donné une seconde chance de s'expliquer.
The law is widely believed to be unfair.
On croit généralement que la loi est injuste.
The city was devastated by the earthquake.
La ville a été dévastée par le tremblement de terre.
Having been warned twice, he still entered.
Ayant été averti deux fois, il est quand même entré.
The results are to be published next month.
Les résultats doivent être publiés le mois prochain.
The nuances were lost in translation.
Les nuances se sont perdues dans la traduction.
Provision was made for the refugees.
Des dispositions ont été prises pour les réfugiés.
The decision was arrived at after much deliberation.
La décision a été prise après de longues délibérations.
It is often argued that the system is flawed.
On soutient souvent que le système est défectueux.
容易混淆
Learners confuse 'The door was closed' (someone closed it) with 'The door was closed' (it was not open).
Learners mix up 'is done' and 'has been done'.
Trying to make verbs like 'arrive', 'go', or 'die' passive.
常见错误
The cake eaten.
The cake is eaten.
I am eat.
I am eaten.
The car was wash.
The car was washed.
They are make in Italy.
They are made in Italy.
The letter was wrote.
The letter was written.
The windows was cleaned.
The windows were cleaned.
It was happened yesterday.
It happened yesterday.
The work is been done.
The work has been done.
I was borned in 1990.
I was born in 1990.
The house is building.
The house is being built.
He was died in the war.
He died in the war.
句型
The ___ was ___ by ___.
___ is grown/made/produced in ___.
I was told that ___.
It is said that ___.
Real World Usage
Local man was awarded the medal of honor.
The solution was heated to 100 degrees.
All dishes are served with a side salad.
The suspect was seen fleeing the bank.
Made in Vietnam.
Your post was liked by 50 people.
一眼识别被动语态
The door is locked.就是这么简单！
千万别漏掉 Be 动词
The decision made 是错的。必须加上 be 动词：The decision was made.否则听起来就像断掉的电线。
什么时候用 By
The window was broken.
职场里的被动语态
A new system was developed.听起来非常高大上！
检查你的 V3 形式
The news was broadcasted会有点怪，正确的是：
The news was broadcast.细节决定成败！
Smart Tips
Use the passive voice to avoid using 'I' too much. It makes your writing sound more objective.
Use the passive voice to focus on the mistake rather than the person.
Use the present simple passive to describe steps that always happen.
Check if the verb before it is 'be + V3'. If it is, you are looking at a passive sentence.
发音
Weak form of 'was'
In the passive voice, 'was' is usually unstressed and sounds like /wəz/.
Linking 'is' and 'are'
When 'is' or 'are' precedes a vowel-starting V3, they link together.
Focus Intonation
The WINDOW was broken (not the door).
Stress the subject to emphasize which object received the action.
记住它
记忆技巧
BE + V3 = Passive for me!
视觉联想
Imagine a robot (the 'be' verb) holding a finished trophy (the V3/Past Participle). The robot doesn't do the work; it just shows the result.
Rhyme
When the doer is a mystery, use 'be' and 'V3' for history.
Story
A thief stole a diamond. The police don't know who he is. They tell the news: 'The diamond was stolen!' They focus on the diamond because the thief is a ghost.
Word Web
挑战
Look around your room. Find 5 objects and describe them using the passive voice (e.g., 'The bed is made', 'The light is turned off').
文化笔记
The 'get-passive' (e.g., 'I got sacked') is very common in informal British English to describe negative events.
In English-speaking universities, the passive voice was traditionally required for science reports to sound objective, though this is slowly changing.
Governments often use the passive to avoid taking direct responsibility for mistakes.
The English passive voice evolved from Old English, which used the verbs 'weorthan' (to become) and 'beon' (to be) with a past participle.
对话开场白
Tell me about a famous building in your city. When was it built?
Have you ever had something stolen? What was taken?
What are some traditional dishes in your country? How are they made?
If you could change one law, which one would be changed?
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
Score: /3
练习题
8 exercisesThe mail ___ (deliver) every morning at 9 AM.
Find and fix the mistake:
The book was wrote by a famous author.
The windows ___ (clean) last week.
The food ___.
You can use the passive voice with the verb 'to go'.
A: Where is your car? B: It ___ (repair) at the garage right now.
Identify the passive construction.
Active: 'Shakespeare wrote Hamlet.'
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesMany photos ___ uploaded to social media daily.
The project deadline been extended.
选择正确的句子：
将“这栋房子去年被卖掉了”翻译成英语：
将单词排列成句：
将主语与正确的 be 动词形式连线：
The new software update has ___ by millions of users.
The decision takes by the committee.
选择正确的句子：
翻译成英语：'新规则正在被引入。'
将单词排列成句：
将动词与其 V3 形式连线：
Score: /12
常见问题 (8)
Only use `by` when the person or thing doing the action is important or necessary to understand the sentence. If the doer is unknown or obvious, leave it out.
No. Only 'transitive' verbs (verbs that take an object, like 'eat', 'buy', 'fix') can be passive. 'Intransitive' verbs like 'sleep', 'arrive', or 'die' cannot.
Not at all! While some teachers prefer the active voice for being direct, the passive is essential for scientific, legal, and formal contexts.
`Is made` is for general facts or routines (Present Simple), while `was made` is for a specific completed action in the past (Past Simple).
Move the 'be' verb to the front of the sentence. For example: 'Was the letter sent?'
Because the event (the action) is usually more important than the specific person who did it, or the doer is unknown.
Yes, in informal speech. 'I got fired' is a common way to say 'I was fired'.
It can be! If it means 'Someone closed the door,' it is passive. If it just describes the door, 'closed' is an adjective.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
La pasiva con 'ser' or 'se' pasiva
English uses the passive much more frequently than Spanish in everyday speech.
La voix passive
French past participles must agree in gender and number with the subject, unlike English.
Passiv (werden/sein)
German uses 'werden' (to become) for the active process of the passive.
受動態 (judōtai)
Japanese can use the passive with intransitive verbs, which is impossible in English.
المبني للمجهول (al-mabni lil-majhul)
Arabic passive is formed by changing the verb itself, not by adding a helper verb.
被动句 (bèidòng jù)
In Chinese, the passive often implies a negative or unfortunate event.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
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英语被动语态：事物发生变化（一般现在时被动语态）
### Overview 在英语学习中，我们经常会遇到“被动语态”（Passive Voice）。今天我们要重点学习的是“一般现在时被动语态”（Prese...
被动语态：用 'by' 表明施动者
### 概述 被动语态（Passive Voice）是一种非常重要的语法结构，它能帮助我们改变句子的焦点，让我们能够强调动作本身或动作的...
情态动词的被动语态 (可以做)
Overview 你有没有想过，为什么你最喜欢的 App 会说 `Your order can be tracked` 而不是 `We are tracking your order`？欢迎来...
被动语态：现在完成时（已完成）
### Overview 在英语学习的进阶阶段，掌握时态与语态的结合是通往“地道表达”的关键。今天我们要深入探讨的是 **Present Perfect...
被动语态：侧重行动（一般现在时被动语态）
### Overview 被动语态（Passive Voice）是英语中一种非常重要的语法结构，它允许我们在句子中调整强调的重点。特别是**一般现...
客观性被动语态: '据说...'
### Overview 在英语学习的进阶阶段，尤其是达到 B1 水平后，你可能会发现，仅仅掌握“谁做了什么”这种简单的 `Active Voice`（...
被动报告结构（据说他...）
### Overview 对于已经达到 C1 级别的英语学习者来说，掌握基础的被动语态只是第一步。在高级英语，尤其是学术写作、新闻报道、...
情态动词的被动语态：把事情办好
### Overview 在英语学习的C1阶段，掌握**情态动词的被动语态**（Passive with Modals）是提升语言能力的关键一步。这个结构能...
新闻与谣言：带报告动词的被动语态（据说...）
### Overview `It is said that...` 这种句式是英语中一种非常重要的被动语态表达方式，专门用于转述信息。在C1阶段，掌握它不...
Get被动语态 vs. Be被动语态：选择合适的语态
### Overview 被动语态（passive voice）是英语中一个非常基础且重要的语法结构。它允许我们把焦点从动作的执行者（agent）转移...
过去分词短语（被动语态）：精简你的句子
### Overview 在英语学习的进阶阶段，尤其是达到 C1 水平后，你可能会发现，仅仅把话说对已经不够了，你开始追求表达的“高级感”...
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客观性被动语态: '据说...'
### Overview 在英语学习的进阶阶段，尤其是达到 B1 水平后，你可能会发现，仅仅掌握“谁做了什么”这种简单的 `Active Voice`（...
带情态动词和被动语态的间接引语 (C1)
### Overview 在英语学习的进阶阶段，尤其是达到 C1 水平（高级）时，我们不再仅仅满足于“谁说了什么”这种简单的信息传递。为了...
报告动词：谁说了什么？
### Overview 在英语学习的进阶阶段，我们经常需要转述他人的话。在初级水平时，你可能习惯于反复使用 `say` 或 `tell` 这两个...
何时使用被动语态（报告新闻和谣言）
### Overview 在英语学习的过程中，当你从初级（A2）迈向中级（B1）时，你会发现英语不仅仅是关于“谁做了什么”，更多时候是关于...
被动报告结构（据说他...）
### Overview 对于已经达到 C1 级别的英语学习者来说，掌握基础的被动语态只是第一步。在高级英语，尤其是学术写作、新闻报道、...
