Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The passive voice shifts the focus from 'who did it' to 'what happened' to the object.
- Use 'am/is/are' + the past participle (V3) of the main verb. Example: 'The mail is delivered.'
- The object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence. Example: 'I eat apples' becomes 'Apples are eaten.'
- Use 'by' only if the person doing the action is actually important. Example: 'The book is written by J.K. Rowling.'
Overview
The baker bakes bread. （面包师烤面包），这里的 The baker 是主语（执行动作的人），bakes 是谓语（动作），bread 是宾语（动作的承受者）。- 1宾语变主语：原来主动句里的宾语（动作的承受者），变成了被动句里的新主语。
- 2谓语变化：动词要变成一种特殊的“
be动词 + 过去分词”的形式。 - 3原主语处理：原来主动句的主语（动作的执行者），可以选择省略，或者用
by引导，放在句末。
The baker bakes bread. 变成被动语态就是：Bread is baked by the baker. （面包被面包师烤了）。看，重点从“面包师”变成了“面包”。eat, write, build。不及物动词（intransitive verbs）比如 sleep（睡觉）、arrive（到达）、run（跑），后面不能直接跟宾语，所以它们不能构成被动语态。比如，你不能说 He is slept 或者 They are arrived。be 动词（am, is, are）一定要和新的主语在人称和数上保持一致，并且要体现“现在时”这个概念。这正是“一般现在时被动语态”的核心。Someone delivers mail daily. （有人每天送信。） | Mail is delivered daily. （邮件被每天递送。） | 重点从“谁送”转移到“邮件被送达” |The company produces cars. （公司生产汽车。） | Cars are produced by the company. （汽车被公司生产。） | 重点从“公司”转移到“汽车” |We use this tool. （我们使用这个工具。） | This tool is used. （这个工具被使用。） | 强调“工具的用途”，执行者“我们”省略 |新主语 (承受者) + am/is/are + 动词的过去分词 (V3)Someone writes the report. (有人写报告) 这个主动句里，the report 是宾语，在被动句 The report is written. 中，它就变成了新主语。am/is/are：这是 to be 动词在一般现在时的三种形式。它们需要根据新的主语来选择：I 时，用 am。例如：I am told the news. （我被告知了消息。）he, she, it，或者单数名词如 the book, my friend）时，用 is。例如：The book is read by many students. （这本书被很多学生阅读。）you）、复数（we, they，或者复数名词如 the books, my friends）时，用 are。例如：The books are published every year. （这些书每年都会出版。）-ed。例如：clean -> cleaned, publish -> published, repair -> repaired。make -> made, write -> written, eat -> eaten, give -> given。be动词的现在时形式与新主语的搭配表：be 动词 (Verb) | 例句 (Example) |I | am | I am given a lot of homework. （我被留了很多作业。） |You | are | You are taught English here. （你在这里学英语。） |He/She/It | is | He is known for his kindness. （他以善良闻名。） |We | are | We are informed about the changes. （我们被告知了变化。） |They | are | They are admired by their colleagues. （他们被同事钦佩。） |The car | is | The car is serviced regularly. （汽车定期保养。） |The rules | are | The rules are explained clearly. （规则解释得很清楚。） |be 动词后面直接加 not。缩写形式更常用。The report is not submitted on time. （报告没有按时提交。） 或 The report isn't submitted on time.These tasks are not completed daily. （这些任务不是每天都完成。） 或 These tasks aren't completed daily.be 动词提到新主语的前面。Is the report submitted on time? （报告按时提交了吗？）Are these tasks completed daily? （这些任务是每天都完成吗？）Wh- words）：Where is the car manufactured? （这辆车在哪里制造？）- 1当动作的执行者（Agent）未知或不重要时：
My phone was found in the library. （我的手机在图书馆被找到了。）—— 谁找到的不重要，重要的是手机被找到了。New products are launched every quarter. （新产品每季度都会发布。）—— 哪个部门负责发布不重要，重要的是“新产品发布”这个规律。The door is painted green. （这扇门被漆成了绿色。）—— 谁漆的门不重要，重要的是门现在是什么颜色。- 1当动作的执行者是显而易见时：
Patients are examined. （病人在被检查。）—— 大家都知道是医生检查病人。The road is repaired annually. （这条路每年都维修。）—— 大家都知道是市政部门或相关机构负责维修。Taxes are collected every fiscal year. （税款在每个财政年度被征收。）—— 大家都知道是政府征收。- 1为了强调动作或承受者：
Water is composed of hydrogen and oxygen. （水由氢和氧组成。）—— 重点是水的构成，而不是谁“组成”了水。The award is given for outstanding contributions. （该奖项是为了表彰杰出贡献而颁发的。）—— 强调的是“奖项”和“颁奖原因”，而不是颁奖机构。Critical decisions are made at the executive level. （关键决策是在高管层面做出的。）—— 强调“决策”和“决策发生的层级”。- 1在说明书、流程或描述中：
First, the ingredients are mixed thoroughly. （首先，将配料充分混合。）Then, the solution is heated to 100 degrees Celsius. （然后，将溶液加热到100摄氏度。）This software is updated regularly to improve performance. （这款软件会定期更新以提高性能。）- 1用于报道新闻、传闻或普遍观点：
It is believed that the new policy will be announced soon. （人们相信新政策很快就会宣布。）—— “人们相信”比具体指出“谁相信”更合适。The suspect is thought to have fled the country. （嫌疑人被认为已经逃离了该国。）—— 强调“嫌疑人的状态”，而不是“谁这么认为”。Reports are filed concerning the incident. （关于该事件的报告已提交。）—— 强调“报告的提交”，而不是提交报告的具体人员。We made a mistake.（我们犯了一个错误），而会说 A mistake was made.（一个错误被犯了），这样听起来更委婉，也减轻了直接的责任感。这种语言选择反映了一种在特定职业场合趋于间接表达的文化倾向。- 1漏掉
be动词：
be动词 + 过去分词”。少了 be 动词，句子就不完整，语法也是错的。The building constructed in 1950. （这栋楼建于1950年。）The building is constructed in 1950. （虽然字面意思是“建于1950年”，但加上 is 强调了它“是”在1950年被建造的这个事实，或者描述它“被建造”的状态。更自然的是说 The building was built in 1950.，但如果强调的是“它现在是（被建成的）状态”，is constructed 也可以用。）My car repaired every year. （我的车每年修理。）My car is repaired every year. （强调“我的车”这个对象“被”修理。）be 动词。- 1过去分词用错：
-ing 形式) 都是错误的。New ideas are develop constantly. （新想法不断被发展。）—— develop 是原形。New ideas are developed constantly.The decision is making by the committee. （这个决定由委员会做出。）—— making 是现在分词。The decision is made by the committee.I am doing (主动进行时) vs is done (被动语态)。- 1
be动词与新主语不匹配：
be 动词（am, is, are）一定要和新主语（也就是动作的承受者）在单复数上保持一致。很多同学容易混淆，或者不确定新主语的单复数。The students is taught by a new teacher. （学生们被一位新老师教。）—— students 是复数，所以 is 是错的。The students are taught by a new teacher.The information are updated daily. （信息每天更新。）—— information 是不可数名词，算作单数，所以 are 是错的。The information is updated daily.- 1试图对不及物动词使用被动语态：
The sun is risen early. （太阳早早升起。）—— rise 是不及物动词。正确的应该是 The sun rises early.A mistake is happened. （一个错误发生了。）—— happen 是不及物动词。正确的应该是 A mistake happens. 或 A mistake occurred.They are arrived. （他们到达了。）—— arrive 是不及物动词。正确的应该是 They have arrived. (现在完成时) 或 They arrive at 5 PM. (一般现在时，表示习惯或计划)。- 1过度使用被动语态：
A report is written by me every week. （一份报告由我每周写。）I write a report every week. （我每周写一份报告。）be + V3 | Subject + Verb (base/s) | be + Verb-ing | Subject + be + V3 (as adj.) |The window is broken. （窗户被打破了。） | He breaks the window. （他打破了窗户。） | He is breaking the window. （他正在打破窗户。） | The window is broken. （窗户是坏的/破的。） |The window is broken. 这句话，根据上下文，可能是被动语态（强调“被打破”这个动作），也可能是形容词用法（强调“窗户是破的”这个状态）。The bridge is built in 1990.（这座桥建于1990年，强调建造这个动作和时间） vs The bridge is built of steel.（这座桥是由钢建造的，强调桥的材质/状态）。is 而不是 are？he, she, it, the book, my friend）或者不可数名词（information, water, advice），就用 is。如果是复数（we, they, students, cars）或者 you，就用 are。如果是 I，就用 am。be 动词 + 过去分词 这种结构，是不是一定就是被动语态？The door is closed. 可以表示“门被关上了”（被动语态），也可以表示“门是关着的”（形容词）。你需要根据上下文来判断。通常，如果后面有 by + 执行者，那肯定是纯粹的被动语态。by 后面一定要跟人吗？by 后面可以跟人（by the teacher），也可以跟事物（The book was written by a famous author.），甚至跟某种方式或工具（The problem was solved by a clever method.）。但请记住，在一般现在时被动语态中，by + 执行者 的部分常常是可以省略的，尤其是在执行者不重要或不确定的时候。2. Negative Contractions
| Full Form | Short Form |
|---|---|
|
is not
|
isn't
|
|
are not
|
aren't
|
|
am not
|
(no contraction)
|
Present Simple Passive Formation
| Subject | To Be | Past Participle (V3) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I
|
am
|
invited
|
I am invited to the party.
|
|
You / We / They
|
are
|
invited
|
They are invited to the party.
|
|
He / She / It
|
is
|
invited
|
It is invited to the party.
|
|
Singular Noun (The car)
|
is
|
washed
|
The car is washed.
|
|
Plural Noun (The cars)
|
are
|
washed
|
The cars are washed.
|
Meanings
A grammatical construction where the subject of the sentence is the person or thing that receives the action, rather than the one performing it.
General Facts & Processes
Used to describe how things are made, where they come from, or general truths where the 'doer' is obvious or irrelevant.
“Paper is made from wood.”
“The museum is visited by thousands of people every day.”
Formal Instructions & Rules
Used to state rules or procedures in a formal or objective way.
“Smoking is not allowed in the building.”
“ID cards are required for entry.”
Unknown or Unimportant Agent
Used when we don't know who does the action, or it doesn't matter.
“The trash is collected on Tuesdays.”
“My car is serviced every six months.”
Reference Table
| Form | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
Affirmative
|
Subj + am/is/are + V3
|
The room is cleaned.
|
|
Negative
|
Subj + am/is/are + not + V3
|
The room isn't cleaned.
|
|
Question
|
Am/Is/Are + Subj + V3?
|
Is the room cleaned?
|
|
Short Answer (+)
|
Yes, + Subj + am/is/are
|
Yes, it is.
|
|
Short Answer (-)
|
No, + Subj + am/is/are + not
|
No, it isn't.
|
|
Wh- Question
|
Wh- + am/is/are + Subj + V3?
|
When is the room cleaned?
|
正式程度
The premises are cleaned on a daily basis. (Workplace maintenance)
The office is cleaned every day. (Workplace maintenance)
The place gets cleaned daily. (Workplace maintenance)
The spot is done up every day. (Workplace maintenance)
Active vs. Passive Focus
Active
- The Cleaner Focus on WHO
Passive
- The Room Focus on WHAT
Sentence Flip
Should I use Passive?
Do I know who did it?
Is the object more important?
Common Passive Verbs
Manufacturing
- • made
- • produced
- • built
Communication
- • spoken
- • written
- • told
Services
- • cleaned
- • delivered
- • repaired
按水平分级的例句
English is spoken here.
The cars are made in Japan.
Is breakfast served at 8?
The trash is collected on Monday.
The website is updated every day.
Are these shoes made of leather?
The office isn't cleaned on Sundays.
Many movies are filmed in London.
The data is stored on a secure server.
The winner is chosen by a panel of judges.
How is this word pronounced?
The animals are fed twice a day.
The results are analyzed using statistical software.
It is estimated that 20% of energy is wasted.
The law is strictly enforced in this city.
The project is managed by the local council.
The proposal is widely regarded as a breakthrough.
Access is restricted to authorized personnel only.
The nuance is often lost in translation.
The budget is allocated based on performance.
The narrative is underpinned by a sense of loss.
It is often contended that progress is inevitable.
The system is designed to be self-correcting.
The distinction is frequently blurred in practice.
容易混淆
Learners often use 'is' when they should use 'was' for past events.
Some words look like participles but are actually adjectives (e.g., 'The door is closed').
Mixing up Present Continuous and Present Passive.
常见错误
The car made in Germany.
The car is made in Germany.
English speak here.
English is spoken here.
The apples is eaten.
The apples are eaten.
I am invite to the party.
I am invited to the party.
The letter is wrote.
The letter is written.
Is the work finish?
Is the work finished?
The house is builded.
The house is built.
The accident is happened.
The accident happened.
He is said that he is rich.
It is said that he is rich.
The dinner is being serve.
The dinner is being served.
The problem is solved by itself.
The problem is solved.
句型
___ is made of ___.
___ are grown in ___.
It is said that ___.
___ is strictly prohibited in ___.
Real World Usage
The victim is taken to the hospital.
The sample is placed in a vacuum.
The mixture is stirred until smooth.
Made in Vietnam.
Passengers are requested to remain seated.
Obsessed with coffee. Based in NYC.
The Zombie Test
Don't Overdo It
Check the Participle
Politeness
Smart Tips
Look for the 'Be' verb + 'V3'. If both are there, it's passive.
Use the passive to avoid blaming someone directly.
Use the passive to keep the focus on the product, not the person cooking.
Always double-check the V3 form. It's the most common place for errors.
发音
Linking 'is' and 'are'
In the passive, 'is' and 'are' often link to the following participle.
Reduced 'are'
The word 'are' is often reduced to a schwa sound /ə/ in natural speech.
Emphasis on the Participle
The book is WRITTEN, not read.
Emphasizing the specific action being done.
记住它
记忆技巧
Remember 'B-P': Be + Participle. If there's no 'Be', it's not Passive!
视觉联想
Imagine a factory conveyor belt. The products (objects) are moving along, and things are being done to them by invisible hands. The focus is on the product, not the workers.
Rhyme
When the doer is a mystery, use 'is' and 'are' with V3!
Story
A mysterious detective arrives at a crime scene. He doesn't say 'Someone stole the jewels.' He says 'The jewels are stolen.' He doesn't say 'Someone broke the window.' He says 'The window is broken.' He focuses on the clues, not the unknown thief.
Word Web
挑战
Look around your room. Find 5 things and say how they are used or where they are made (e.g., 'My phone is made in China', 'The light is turned on').
文化笔记
The passive is very common in British English to sound polite and indirect, avoiding blaming someone directly.
In scientific and academic circles, the passive is the standard to show objectivity and focus on the experiment, not the scientist.
Laws and regulations almost exclusively use the passive to create a sense of universal application.
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
Where is your phone made?
How is your favorite traditional dish prepared?
What rules are strictly enforced in your city?
How is the news reported in your country?
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
The mail ___ (deliver) every morning at 9 AM.
Which sentence is in the Present Simple Passive?
Find and fix the mistake:
The books is written by a famous author.
Spanish ___ in Mexico.
We use the passive voice when the person doing the action is the most important part of the sentence.
A: Is the office open on Saturdays? B: No, the doors ___.
Choose the intransitive verb.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Score: /8
练习题
8 exercisesThe mail ___ (deliver) every morning at 9 AM.
Which sentence is in the Present Simple Passive?
Find and fix the mistake:
The books is written by a famous author.
Spanish ___ in Mexico.
We use the passive voice when the person doing the action is the most important part of the sentence.
A: Is the office open on Saturdays? B: No, the doors ___.
Choose the intransitive verb.
1. They grow rice. 2. They sell rice. 3. They cook rice.
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesFresh bread ___ every morning at the bakery.
The news broadcast at 7 PM.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'This email is sent to all employees.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the subjects with the correct form:
The rules ___ strictly followed in this institution.
Many historical documents is kept in the museum.
Choose the correct sentence:
Translate into English: 'This song is loved by millions worldwide.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the active subject to the 'be' verb needed in passive:
Score: /12
常见问题 (8)
You can, but you shouldn't. Only use `by` if the person doing the action adds important information. 'The book is written by Steve' is good. 'The room is cleaned by a cleaner' is redundant.
Use `is made of` when you can still see the original material (e.g., 'The chair is made of wood'). Use `is made from` when the material has changed (e.g., 'Paper is made from wood').
No. Only 'transitive' verbs (verbs that take an object) can be passive. Verbs like `happen`, `sleep`, and `go` cannot be passive.
Not always, but it is more common in formal writing. In casual speech, we often use 'they' (e.g., 'They say it's going to rain') instead of the passive ('It is said...').
Because it can make writing sound wordy or evasive. However, in science and news, it is often the best choice for objectivity.
Just add `not` after the verb 'to be'. For example: 'The car is not washed.'
It is the third form of a verb (e.g., go-went-**gone**). For regular verbs, it ends in `-ed`.
It can be. If you mean 'Someone closes the door every day,' it's passive. If you are just describing the door right now, 'closed' is an adjective.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Ser + participio / Pasiva con 'se'
English rarely uses a reflexive structure for the passive.
Être + participe passé
French participles must agree in gender and number with the subject.
Werden + Partizip II
The auxiliary verb is 'become', not 'be'.
~reru / ~rareru
Japanese passive is a verb conjugation, not an auxiliary verb construction.
Al-Fi'l al-Majhul
Passive is indicated by vowel changes, not extra words.
被 (bèi) structure
The passive marker 'bèi' is optional and often implies a negative result.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
Continue With
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