Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
The passive voice shifts focus from the person doing the action to the person or thing receiving the action.
- Use 'be' + past participle: 'The cake was eaten' (max 20 words)
- The object of the active sentence becomes the subject (max 20 words)
- Use 'by' only if the doer is important: 'by Shakespeare' (max 20 words)
Overview
I ate an apple。但是，当你进入 B1 阶段，你会发现英语中出现了一个极其高频的结构——被动语态 (Passive Voice)。- 主动语态：
The delivery man (主语/施动者) delivered (谓语) the package (宾语/承受者).（外卖员送了包裹。） - 被动语态：
The package (新主语/承受者) was delivered (新谓语) (by the delivery man).（包裹被送达了。）
be 动词就像是一个变色龙，它负责告诉读者动作发生的时间（时态）；而过去分词（V-ed）则负责传达具体的动作意义。be 动词变化和过去分词（V-ed）是最大的挑战。be 动词的形式：The office is cleaned every day. (办公室每天都有人打扫。) |The window was broken last night. (窗户昨晚被打破了。) |My car is being repaired right now. (我的车现在正在修理中。) |The homework has been finished. (作业已经写完了。) |- 1过去分词 (Past Participle)：很多动词的过去分词和过去式是一样的（加
-ed），但那些不规则动词（如write -> written,give -> given,break -> broken）需要大家死记硬背。这是基本功，不能偷懒！ - 2by 的使用：如果你想交代到底是谁做了这件事，就用
by。例如：This song was written by Jay Chou.(这首歌是周杰伦写的。) 如果不重要或者不知道是谁，直接省略by之后的内容即可。
My wallet was stolen! (我的钱包被偷了！) 因为你不知道小偷是谁，所以用被动语态最自然。再比如：The pyramids were built thousands of years ago. (金字塔是几千年前建造的。) 我们不需要列出每一个工人的名字，重点在于金字塔本身。Your order has been shipped. (您的订单已发货。) 这里的重点是“订单”和“发货”这个状态。- 比较：
I heated the water to 100°C.(我把水加热到100度。) —— 听起来像在记日记。 - 比较：
The water was heated to 100°C.(水被加热到100度。) —— 听起来像科学实验。
I lost the file 会显得你很失职。但如果你说 The file was lost during the move (资料在搬运过程中弄丢了)，听起来就像是一个意外，责任感被淡化了。这就是著名的“Mistakes were made” (犯了些错误) 句式，常用于危机公关。First, the tea leaves are picked. Then, they are dried under the sun. (首先，茶叶被采摘。然后，它们被放在阳光下晒干。)be 动词 (The Missing 'be')The dinner cooked.- 正确做法：记住，没有
be动词，就没有被动语态。必须是The dinner was cooked.。The dinner cooked在英语里意味着“饭”自己去下厨了。
happen (发生), appear (出现), die (死亡)。- 错误例子：
The accident was happened yesterday.(❌) - 正确做法：
The accident happened yesterday.(✅) 即使翻译成“事故发生了”，它在英语里也只能用主动语态。
been 和 beingThe bridge is being built.(桥正在被建造 —— 还没建好)The bridge has been built.(桥已经被建好了 —— 完工了)
being 对应 ing (进行中)，been 对应 have/has (已完成)。is done, was made，读起来会非常沉重、死板。地道的英语是主动与被动的结合。如果施动者很明确且很重要，请果断使用主动语态。be + done) | 中文“被”字句 |I was given a gift. (正常表达) | “我被送了一个礼物。” (听起来有点别扭) |be + done 看起来像被动，其实是描述一种状态。- 被动语态 (动作)：
The door was closed by the wind.(门被风吹关上了 —— 强调关门的动作) - 系表结构 (状态)：
The shop is closed.(商店关门了 —— 强调现在的状态，closed相当于形容词)
This book sells well.(这本书卖得好。—— 我们不说is sold well)The cake tastes good.(蛋糕尝起来不错。—— 我们不说is tasted good)
have (有), lack (缺乏), fit (适合)。你不能说 A car is had by me. 这听起来非常怪异。这些表示状态的动词通常只用主动语态。by someone？The movie was directed by Spielberg. (这部电影是斯皮尔伯格导演的。) 如果是普通人做的，或者语境已经很清楚了，就把它删掉，保持句子精炼。be 动词！is 还是 was？yesterday, in 1998, last week，就用 was/were。如果是 every day, usually 或者是一个客观事实，就用 is/are。记住，be 动词是句子的“时间指针”。2. Negative Contractions
| Full Form | Contraction | Example |
|---|---|---|
|
is not
|
isn't
|
The car isn't washed.
|
|
are not
|
aren't
|
The cars aren't washed.
|
|
was not
|
wasn't
|
The car wasn't washed.
|
|
were not
|
weren't
|
The cars weren't washed.
|
Passive Voice Tense Formation
| Tense | Subject | To Be | Past Participle | Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
The car
|
is
|
washed
|
The car is washed.
|
|
Present Simple
|
The cars
|
are
|
washed
|
The cars are washed.
|
|
Past Simple
|
The car
|
was
|
washed
|
The car was washed.
|
|
Past Simple
|
The cars
|
were
|
washed
|
The cars were washed.
|
|
Present Continuous
|
The car
|
is being
|
washed
|
The car is being washed.
|
|
Present Perfect
|
The car
|
has been
|
washed
|
The car has been washed.
|
|
Future (Will)
|
The car
|
will be
|
washed
|
The car will be washed.
|
|
Modals
|
The car
|
must be
|
washed
|
The car must be washed.
|
Meanings
A grammatical construction where the subject is the recipient of the action rather than the performer.
Unknown Agent
Used when we don't know who performed the action.
“My bike was stolen last night.”
“The window was broken while I was out.”
Obvious Agent
Used when the performer of the action is so obvious it doesn't need mentioning.
“The thief was arrested.”
“The crops are harvested in autumn.”
Formal/Scientific Objectivity
Used to sound objective and professional by removing the 'I' or 'We'.
“The chemicals were mixed in a beaker.”
“The results were analyzed carefully.”
Reference Table
| 时态 | 主语 | 'be' 动词 | 过去分词 | 例子 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Present Simple
|
The report
|
is
|
written
|
The report *is written* daily.
|
|
Present Simple
|
These apps
|
are
|
downloaded
|
These apps *are downloaded* by millions.
|
|
Past Simple
|
The message
|
was
|
sent
|
The message *was sent* an hour ago.
|
|
Past Simple
|
The decisions
|
were
|
made
|
The decisions *were made* quickly.
|
|
Present Simple
|
My coffee
|
is
|
brewed
|
My coffee *is brewed* fresh every morning.
|
|
Past Simple
|
Our car
|
was
|
repaired
|
Our car *was repaired* by a local mechanic.
|
正式程度
The requested documentation has been processed. (Workplace)
The paperwork was finished this morning. (Workplace)
The forms are all done. (Workplace)
It's all sorted, mate. (Workplace)
被动语态：动作作用于物体
构成方式
- 'be' 动词 e.g., is, are, was, were
- 过去分词 e.g., written, made, sent
- 可选的 'by' who did it
何时使用
- 执行者未知 e.g., My wallet was stolen.
- 执行者不重要 e.g., The road is being repaired.
- 强调动作 e.g., News was reported.
- 正式语境 e.g., Rules are enforced.
常见错误
- 漏掉 'be' e.g., 'The book read.'
- be 动词形式错误 e.g., 'They was told.'
- 动词形式错误 e.g., 'The cake was ate.'
主动语态 vs 被动语态
我该使用被动语态吗？
动作的“执行者”已知且重要吗？
你想强调动作本身或接收动作的事物吗？
被动语态的应用场景
新闻与报道
- • 'It was reported that...'
- • Discoveries are made
- • Events are announced
流程与说明
- • Ingredients are mixed
- • Steps are followed
- • Products are manufactured
执行者未知/不重要
- • My keys were found.
- • Mistakes were made.
- • The window was broken.
外交与客观性
- • Decisions were taken.
- • Issues are addressed.
- • Policies are developed.
按水平分级的例句
The car is washed.
The car is washed.
The pizza is eaten.
The pizza is eaten.
The windows are closed.
The windows are closed.
The book was lost.
The book was lost.
The house was built in 2010.
The house was built in 2010.
These shoes are made in Italy.
These shoes are made in Italy.
The thief was caught by the police.
The thief was caught by the police.
Was the homework finished?
Was the homework finished?
The application was rejected because it was late.
The application was rejected because it was late.
The meeting is held in the main hall every Friday.
The meeting is held in the main hall every Friday.
Many languages are spoken in this city.
Many languages are spoken in this city.
The bridge was damaged during the storm.
The bridge was damaged during the storm.
The suspect is being questioned by the detectives now.
The suspect is being questioned by the detectives now.
The project should have been completed last week.
The project should have been completed last week.
It is believed that the company is facing bankruptcy.
It is believed that the company is facing bankruptcy.
The data was collected over a six-month period.
The data was collected over a six-month period.
The decision was made with the utmost care.
The decision was made with the utmost care.
Rarely is such a discovery made in this field.
Rarely is such a discovery made in this field.
The building is said to be haunted.
The building is said to be haunted.
He was given a standing ovation after his speech.
He was given a standing ovation after his speech.
The proposal was met with considerable skepticism.
The proposal was met with considerable skepticism.
Provision was made for the possibility of a delay.
Provision was made for the possibility of a delay.
The artifacts are thought to have been smuggled out of the country.
The artifacts are thought to have been smuggled out of the country.
No effort was spared in the search for survivors.
No effort was spared in the search for survivors.
容易混淆
Learners confuse 'The window was broken (by someone)' with 'The window was broken (state/adjective)'.
Learners confuse 'is done' with 'has done'.
Some verbs look active but feel passive, like 'The book sells well'.
常见错误
The cake eaten.
The cake was eaten.
The car is wash.
The car is washed.
I was borned in London.
I was born in London.
The window broke by me.
The window was broken by me.
The letters was sent.
The letters were sent.
The book written by him.
The book was written by him.
Is the dinner cook?
Is the dinner cooked?
The house was builded in 1990.
The house was built in 1990.
It was happened yesterday.
It happened yesterday.
The work is being do.
The work is being done.
The car was got stolen.
The car was stolen / The car got stolen.
He is said to have been went.
He is said to have gone.
The problem was explained me.
The problem was explained to me.
句型
The ___ was ___ in ___.
___ are ___ every day.
It is ___ that ___.
The ___ hasn't been ___ yet.
Real World Usage
Thousands of homes destroyed by flood.
Made in Vietnam. Batteries not included.
The flight has been delayed.
The eggs are beaten until fluffy.
I was given the 'Employee of the Month' award.
My bike got stolen! :(
找 be 动词！
is, are, was, were 后面是否跟着过去分词。The door is locked.
别忘了过去分词！
The bread was eaten.
主动 vs 被动测试
The report was finished.
语境至关重要
A new law was passed.
谁是主角？
The winner was announced.
Smart Tips
Use the passive to avoid sounding like you are blaming someone.
Check if it's an adjective or a passive verb by trying to add 'by someone'.
Don't say 'Someone...'. Use the passive voice instead.
Use the present simple passive to focus on the steps.
发音
Stress on Participle
In passive sentences, the main stress usually falls on the past participle, not the 'be' verb.
Weak 'was'
The word 'was' is usually unstressed and pronounced as /wəz/.
Falling intonation for statements
The bridge was built in 1890. ↘
Conveys a completed fact.
记住它
记忆技巧
BE + V3 = Passive for me! (Be verb + Past Participle).
视觉联想
Imagine a robot being built in a factory. We don't see the workers, only the robot (the object) moving through the stages of being 'made', 'painted', and 'shipped'.
Rhyme
When the doer is a mystery, use the passive for history!
Story
A man wakes up and finds his car is gone. He tells the police, 'My car was stolen!' He doesn't say 'A thief stole it' because he didn't see the thief. The car is the star of his story.
Word Web
挑战
Look around your room. Find 5 things and say how they were made or where they were bought using the passive voice (e.g., 'This lamp was bought in IKEA').
文化笔记
The passive voice is the 'bread and butter' of news. It allows reporters to remain neutral and avoid blaming individuals before a trial.
In Western universities, using 'I' in a science paper is often discouraged. The passive voice is used to make the research seem universal and objective.
Contracts use the passive to define obligations without naming specific employees, focusing on the company as an entity.
The English passive voice evolved from Old English, which used 'weorthan' (to become) or 'beon' (to be) with a participle.
对话开场白
Where was your favorite piece of clothing made?
Have you ever had something stolen?
What is a famous building in your city? When was it built?
How are traditional holidays celebrated in your country?
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
Score: /4
练习题
8 exercisesThe Mona Lisa ___ (paint) by Leonardo da Vinci.
Choose the correct option:
Find and fix the mistake:
The windows are clean every Saturday.
Passive form:
You can use the passive voice with the verb 'to sleep'.
A: Why is the road closed? B: An accident ___ (report) ten minutes ago.
Which of these is passive?
Write -> ?
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesAll assignments ___ online by midnight on Sunday.
The latest episode released last night.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate into English: 'Das Museum wird gerade renoviert.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the subjects with the correct passive verb forms:
The data ___ carefully analyzed before making a decision.
Many applications submitted for the new role.
Which sentence is correct?
Translate into English: 'Neue Produkte werden oft in sozialen Medien beworben.'
Arrange these words into a sentence:
Match the beginnings with their correct endings:
Score: /12
常见问题 (8)
Avoid it when the 'doer' is important or when you want to be direct and energetic. 'I love you' is much better than 'You are loved by me'!
No! In fact, we omit 'by' in about 80% of passive sentences because the doer is unknown or obvious.
'Was broken' is standard and neutral. 'Got broken' is informal and often implies the event was accidental or unfortunate.
Yes! Use 'will be' + V3. For example: 'The results will be published tomorrow.'
No, but overusing it can make writing sound dry or evasive. Use it when the focus truly belongs on the object.
Swap the subject and the 'be' verb. 'The car was fixed' becomes 'Was the car fixed?'
Only transitive verbs (verbs that take an object) can be passive. You can't say 'The bed was slept' because 'sleep' doesn't have an object.
Yes! In English, being born is something that happens to you, so we always use the passive form.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Voz pasiva (ser + participio) / Pasiva refleja (se)
English uses the passive much more frequently than Spanish in everyday speech.
La voix passive (être + participe passé)
French participles change endings (e.g., mangé vs mangée); English ones never do.
Passiv (werden + Partizip II)
German uses 'become' (werden) as the auxiliary, while English uses 'be'.
受身 (ukemi)
Japanese uses a suffix on the main verb; English uses an auxiliary verb.
المبني للمجهول (al-mabni lil-majhul)
Arabic uses vowel shifts within the verb; English uses 'be' + V3.
被字句 (bèi zì jù)
Chinese 'bèi' is a particle, not a verb conjugation, and often carries a negative connotation.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
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How to use the Passive Voice 😅 English Grammar Lesson
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PASSIVE VOICE - English Grammar step-by-step
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