Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds
Use the Present Simple Passive to focus on what happens to something, rather than who does it.
- Use 'am/is/are' plus the past participle (V3) of the main verb.
- The object of the active sentence becomes the subject of the passive sentence.
- Use 'by' only if the person doing the action is actually important to the story.
Overview
The chef prepares the meal（厨师准备这顿饭）这个句子中，the chef（厨师，施事者）执行了 prepares（准备）这个动作，而 the meal（这顿饭，承受者）则承受了这个动作。the meal）就变成了新句子的主语。原来的主语（the chef）则要么完全消失，要么通过一个 by 短语引出，从而减少了它的重要性。动词的形式也会发生变化，总是包含一个 to be 动词的某种形式，后面跟着主要动词的过去分词（Past Participle, V3）。因此，The chef prepares the meal 就变成了 The meal is prepared by the chef（这顿饭被厨师准备了），或者如果施事者不是关键信息，更常见的是 The meal is prepared（这顿饭被准备了）。the chef 是中心；在被动句中，the meal 占据了首要位置。这种语言机制允许说话者和写作人根据他们的沟通目标来优先考虑信息。特别是“一般现在时被动语态”，它用来描述经常发生、习惯性发生或普遍为真的动作，其功能与主动语态的一般现在时相似，但改变了强调的重点。例如，English is spoken in many countries（英语在许多国家被说）强调的是语言的广泛使用，而不是说它的人数众多。to be 的一般现在时形式，以及主要动词的过去分词。am / is / are + 过去分词 (V3)- 主语 (Subject): 这是承受动作的名词或代词。在对应的主动句中，它原来是宾语。例如，如果主动句是
They recycle plastic bottles（他们回收塑料瓶），那么plastic bottles（塑料瓶）就成了被动句的主语。
am / is / are: 你需要根据新主语的人称和数来选择正确的to be动词形式。这个动词在这里充当助动词，是构成被动语态的关键。没有它，句子在语法上就是不完整的。
to be 形式 |am |is |are |is |are |is（例如：The report is...）；对于复数名词，使用 are（例如：The reports are...）。- 过去分词 (Past Participle, V3): 这是主要动词的第三种形式（例如：
written,eaten,made,cleaned）。对于规则动词，过去分词通常和过去式相同，以-ed结尾（例如：clean -> cleaned,publish -> published）。对于不规则动词，你必须记住它们各自的过去分词形式（例如：make -> made,write -> written,eat -> eaten,see -> seen）。熟练掌握不规则动词的过去分词是准确构成被动语态的基础。
The company produces cars. | Cars are produced by the company. （汽车由公司生产。） |My mother bakes bread. | Bread is baked by my mother. （面包是我妈妈烤的。） |People often make mistakes. | Mistakes are often made. （人们常犯错误。） |by 加上施事者。例如：The email is sent by the manager（邮件由经理发送）。记住，如果施事者很明显、不重要或未知，by 短语通常会省略，如 The reports are published monthly（报告每月发布）。- 当施事者未知时 (When the Agent is Unknown): 很多时候，你根本不知道是谁执行了某个动作。在这种情况下，被动语态让你可以在不猜测或不撒谎的情况下传达信息。它将信息本身的发生放在首位。
My bicycle was stolen last night.（我的自行车昨晚被偷了。）（小偷是谁未知。）Valuable archaeological sites are discovered in this region every year.（这个地区每年都有珍贵的考古遗址被发现。）（具体是哪个考古学家或团队发现的不重要。）The new software is constantly updated.（新软件在不断更新。）（负责每次更新的开发者没有被具体说明。）
- 当施事者不重要或显而易见时 (When the Agent is Unimportant or Obvious): 如果知道谁执行了动作不会带来任何重要信息，或者这个信息是普遍理解的，那么使用被动语态可以使表达更简洁。例如，大家都知道“信件是由邮递员送达的”。
Roads are repaired annually in this town.（这个镇上的道路每年都会维修。）（人们知道是道路工人维修；焦点在道路。）New books are added to the library collection every week.（新书每周都会添加到图书馆藏。）（是图书管理员添加的；焦点在新书。）Mistakes are sometimes made in the printing process.（印刷过程中有时会犯错。）（具体是谁犯的错并不重要；焦点在于错误的发生。）
- 为了达到客观和正式的目的 (To Achieve Objectivity and Formality): 被动语态是学术、科学、新闻报道和正式书面语的标志性特征。它营造了一种疏离感和公正感，因为个人代词和主动施事者被最小化了。这在报告或官方声明中尤其有用。
The results are presented in Chapter 3 of the report.（结果在报告的第三章中呈现。）（比We present the results...更客观。）All employees are expected to follow safety guidelines.（所有员工都被期望遵守安全指南。）（这是一条规则，而不是个人的命令。）Scientific studies are often criticized for their methodology.（科学研究常因其方法论而受到批评。）（焦点在批评本身，而不是批评者。）
- 用于描述过程、程序和系统 (For Describing Processes, Procedures, and Systems): 在解释事物如何运作、某物如何制作或一系列动作时，重点在于步骤和材料，而不是执行它们的人。食谱、生产指南和操作手册经常使用一般现在时被动语态。
First, the ingredients are mixed, and then the dough is kneaded for ten minutes.（首先，混合配料，然后揉面团十分钟。）（食谱步骤。）In this factory, cars are assembled on a production line.（在这个工厂，汽车是在生产线上组装的。）（描述一个系统。）Customer feedback is collected through online surveys.（客户反馈通过在线调查收集。）（解释一个过程。）
- 为了避免指责或委婉表达 (To Avoid Blame or Be Tactful): 在可能不礼貌或适得其反地归咎于某人时，被动语态可以通过省略施事者来缓和语气。这是维持外交沟通的一种常见策略。
The report is not yet completed.（报告尚未完成。）（比You haven't completed the report.更委婉。）Minor errors are found in the final draft.（最终稿中发现了一些小错误。）（比You found minor errors...指责性更小。）Sensitive information is sometimes shared accidentally.（敏感信息有时会被意外共享。）（焦点在意外共享这件事，而不是谁共享的。）
- 强调动作或结果 (Emphasis on Action or Result): 有时，动作本身或其结果是最突出的信息，无论谁执行了它。被动语态将这种强调直接放在句子的开头。
New regulations are implemented to protect wildlife.（制定了新法规来保护野生动物。）（关键在于法规的实施，而不是具体哪个政府机构。）The city's electricity is supplied by a hydroelectric dam.（这座城市的电力由一座水力发电站供应。）（焦点在于电力来源。）Many languages are spoken in London.（伦敦说很多种语言。）（强调语言的多样性。）
- 遗漏助动词
to be: 这是最常见的错误。助动词am,is,are是构成被动语态绝对不可或缺的。没有它，句子在语法上就是错误的，甚至可能无法理解。 - 错误:
*The food prepared here. - 正确:
The food is prepared here.（这里的食物被准备好了。） - 错误:
*Reports sent weekly. - 正确:
Reports are sent weekly.（报告每周发送。）
to be。- 使用错误的主要动词形式: 学习者有时会使用动词原形（V1）或过去式（V2）代替过去分词（V3）。
- 错误:
*The email is write.(V1) - 错误:
*The email is wrote.(V2) - 正确:
The email is written.(V3)（邮件被写了。）
to be与新主语数不一致:to be动词必须与新主语（原句的宾语）在数上保持一致。单数主语用is，复数主语用are。- 错误:
*The instructions is clear. - 正确:
The instructions are clear.（说明很清楚。） - 错误:
*The computer are repaired. - 正确:
The computer is repaired.（电脑被修好了。）
am, is, are 与新主语匹配（例如：I am, he/she/it is, we/you/they are, 单数名词 is, 复数名词 are）。- 过度使用
by短语: 虽然by + 施事者在语法上是正确的，但过度使用会削弱被动语态的目的。如果施事者确实重要或需要强调，主动语态通常更清晰、更直接。被动语态主要用于施事者未知、不重要或显而易见的情况。 - 不太自然:
The road is repaired by the road crew every summer.（这条路每年夏天都被道路工人修复。） - 更自然:
The road is repaired every summer.（这条路每年都被修复。）（施事者显而易见。） - 思考：如果你发现自己总是加上
by + (重要的施事者)，那么请重新评估主动语态是否会更有效。
- 尝试将被动语态用于不及物动词: 只有及物动词（可以接直接宾语的动词）才能构成被动语态。不及物动词（如
sleep,arrive,happen,go，它们不接直接宾语）不能构成被动语态。 - 错误:
*He is slept.(sleep是不及物动词) - 错误:
*The meeting happened by us.(happen是不及物动词) - 正确:
He slept.(主动) - 正确:
The meeting happened.(主动)
to be + Past Participle (V3) |by 短语引出，或省略 |The students completed the project.（学生完成了项目。） | The project was completed by the students.（项目被学生完成了。） |We use this software daily.（我们每天使用这个软件。） | This software is used daily.（这个软件被每天使用。） |- 选择主动语态，当你：
- 想清楚地表明谁是行动的执行者。
- 希望句子更直接、更有力。
- 描述日常对话，通常更偏向主动。
- 例如：
The manager approved the request.（经理批准了请求。）
- 选择被动语态，当你：
- 想强调动作或结果，而不是执行者。
- 执行者不清楚、不重要或显而易见。
- 想让语气更客观、更正式（如学术写作、报告）。
- 描述过程或程序。
- 例如：
The request was approved.（请求被批准了。）
The factory produces cars.（工厂生产汽车。） |am/is/are + V3 | 主语 (承受者) | Cars are produced by the factory.（汽车由工厂生产。） |Many people speak Chinese.（许多人说中文。） |am/is/are + V3 | 主语 (承受者) | Chinese is spoken by many people.（中文被许多人说。） |The government regulates the market.（政府调控市场。） |am/is/are + V3 | 主语 (承受者) | The market is regulated by the government.（市场被政府调控。） |We often see this problem.（我们常看到这个问题。） |am/is/are + V3 | 主语 (承受者) | This problem is often seen.（这个问题常被看到。） |am/is/are + 过去分词。关键在于记住动词的过去分词形式，并确保 to be 的形式与主语匹配。这比你想象的要简单！invite 的过去分词是 invited。主语是“我”（I），所以用 am。因此，正确的说法是 I am invited。如果你想说明是谁邀请的，可以加上 by + 施事者，例如 I am invited by my friend（我被我朋友邀请了）。to be + 过去分词 这个基本公式，并且多加练习，就会觉得它其实很实用，并不像初看时那么难。Present Simple Passive Conjugation
| Subject | To Be (am/is/are) | Past Participle (V3) | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I
|
am
|
helped
|
I am helped by my team.
|
|
You
|
are
|
helped
|
You are helped by the guide.
|
|
He / She / It
|
is
|
helped
|
The car is helped by the mechanic.
|
|
We
|
are
|
helped
|
We are helped by the community.
|
|
They
|
are
|
helped
|
The students are helped by teachers.
|
|
The work (Singular)
|
is
|
done
|
The work is done.
|
|
The tasks (Plural)
|
are
|
done
|
The tasks are done.
|
Contractions in Passive Voice
| Full Form | Contraction | Negative Contraction |
|---|---|---|
|
I am watched
|
I'm watched
|
I'm not watched
|
|
It is watched
|
It's watched
|
It isn't watched
|
|
They are watched
|
They're watched
|
They aren't watched
|
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.
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.”
“Rice is grown in many parts of Asia.”
Scientific or Technical Processes
Used to describe how things work or how a process is completed step-by-step.
“The chemicals are mixed in a large vat.”
“The data is stored on a secure server.”
Formal Rules and Instructions
Used to state laws, rules, or general truths in a professional manner.
“Smoking is not permitted in this area.”
“Credit cards are accepted here.”
Reference Table
| 主语 (Subject) | Be 动词 | 过去分词 (V3) | 例句 (Example) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
I
|
am
|
used
|
I am used to this.
|
|
He/She/It
|
is
|
cleaned
|
The room is cleaned daily.
|
|
单数名词
|
is
|
made
|
Coffee is made fresh.
|
|
We/You/They
|
are
|
given
|
You are given a task.
|
|
复数名词
|
are
|
spoken
|
Languages are spoken here.
|
正式程度
The office is closed at 5:00 PM daily. (Business hours)
The office is shut at 5:00. (Business hours)
We're closed at 5:00. (Business hours)
We're done at 5:00. (Business hours)
按水平分级的例句
The room is cleaned every day.
The room is cleaned every day.
Apples are grown in this garden.
Apples are grown in this garden.
The door is locked at night.
The door is locked at night.
English is spoken here.
English is spoken here.
The mail is delivered at 9 AM.
The mail is delivered at 9 AM.
Are these shoes made in Italy?
Are these shoes made in Italy?
The trash is not collected on Sundays.
The trash is not collected on Sundays.
Many movies are filmed in London.
Many movies are filmed in London.
The website is updated every hour with new news.
The website is updated every hour with new news.
Coffee is served with a small biscuit in this cafe.
Coffee is served with a small biscuit in this cafe.
The results are sent to your email automatically.
The results are sent to your email automatically.
Is the office cleaned by a professional company?
Is the office cleaned by a professional company?
The law is strictly enforced by the local authorities.
The law is strictly enforced by the local authorities.
Large amounts of data are processed by the algorithm.
Large amounts of data are processed by the algorithm.
The museum is visited by thousands of tourists annually.
The museum is visited by thousands of tourists annually.
Is it true that the budget is approved by the board?
Is it true that the budget is approved by the board?
The nuances of the language are often lost in translation.
The nuances of the language are often lost in translation.
The proposal is viewed as a significant step forward.
The proposal is viewed as a significant step forward.
Resources are allocated based on the project's priority.
Resources are allocated based on the project's priority.
The tradition is upheld by the younger generation.
The tradition is upheld by the younger generation.
The inherent complexity of the system is mitigated by several fail-safes.
The inherent complexity of the system is mitigated by several fail-safes.
It is widely conjectured that the treaty is flawed.
It is widely conjectured that the treaty is flawed.
The narrative is constructed through a series of flashbacks.
The narrative is constructed through a series of flashbacks.
The status quo is maintained through systemic inertia.
The status quo is maintained through systemic inertia.
容易混淆
Learners mix up 'is done' (routine) with 'is being done' (now).
Some words look like passives but are just adjectives (e.g., 'The door is broken').
Learners think every sentence with 'is' is passive.
常见错误
The car wash every day.
The car is washed every day.
I am call John.
I am called John.
The books is sold here.
The books are sold here.
The dinner is cook.
The dinner is cooked.
The letter is wrote.
The letter is written.
Is the homework do?
Is the homework done?
The house is cleaning.
The house is cleaned.
The coffee is make by me.
The coffee is made by me.
The news are reported.
The news is reported.
He is said that he is rich.
It is said that he is rich.
The problem is being solved every day.
The problem is solved every day.
The data is showed in the graph.
The data is shown in the graph.
The decision is took.
The decision is taken.
句型
The ___ is ___ every day.
___ are grown in ___.
It is said that ___.
The ___ is made of ___.
Real World Usage
Your post is shared by 50 people.
The successful candidate is notified by email.
All bags are screened before boarding.
Your order is prepared by the restaurant.
New law is passed by Parliament.
Is the party cancelled?
关注结果
The window is broken.
别忘了 be 动词
The car is washed.才是正确的被动表达。
描述流程的神器
The tea is served hot.
客观的报道语气
The news is reported daily.
Smart Tips
Use the passive to sound more professional and less demanding.
Check if it's an action or a description. If you can add 'by someone', it's an action.
Most verbs just need -ed. If it's a common verb like 'go' or 'write', it's probably irregular.
Start every sentence with the object to keep the focus consistent.
发音
The '-ed' ending
The past participle ending '-ed' can sound like /t/, /d/, or /ɪd/.
Linking 'is'
In natural speech, 'is' often links to the following vowel.
Emphasis on the Object
The ↗MEAL is served.
Highlights that the meal (not the drink) is ready.
记住它
记忆技巧
Remember 'BE + V3': The verb 'to BE' (am/is/are) plus the 'V3' (past participle) makes the passive for me!
视觉联想
Imagine a factory conveyor belt. The objects (subjects) are moving along, and machines (actions) are happening to them. You don't see the workers, just the objects being transformed.
Rhyme
When the doer is unknown or out of sight, 'Is' plus 'Done' makes the sentence right!
Story
In a magical land, objects do nothing themselves. The bread is baked by fire, the water is drunk by the sun, and the songs are sung by the wind. Everything is a receiver of action.
Word Web
挑战
Look around your room. Find 5 objects and say what is done to them every day (e.g., 'The bed is made', 'The window is opened').
文化笔记
The passive is very common in British English to sound polite and indirect, avoiding direct confrontation.
In universities worldwide, the passive voice is the standard for writing research papers to maintain objectivity.
Government documents use the passive to sound authoritative and impersonal.
The English passive voice evolved from Old English, where 'weorthan' (to become) was used alongside 'beon' (to be).
对话开场白
How is your favorite food made?
What languages are spoken in your country?
How is the president/leader chosen in your country?
What rules are strictly enforced at your workplace?
日记主题
常见错误
Test Yourself
French ___ in Quebec.
Find and fix the mistake:
The new rules announcing today.
翻译成英文：'Los pedidos se envían diariamente.'
Answer starts with: ["O...
Score: /3
练习题
8 exercisesThe office ___ (clean) every night.
Choose the correct option:
Find and fix the mistake:
Many cars are make in Japan.
Tea ___ in India.
We use 'by' in every passive sentence.
A: Is the mail here? B: Yes, it ___ (deliver) five minutes ago.
Select the irregular one:
Active: 'Farmers grow grapes.'
Score: /8
Practice Bank
12 exercisesCoffee ___ at this exact time every morning.
选择正确的句子：
Many languages speak in India.
翻译成英文：'Esta puerta se cierra automáticamente.'
将这些单词连成句子：
将主语与正确的 be 动词形式连线：
Information ___ (share) via email.
哪个句子是正确的？
The news broadcast at 6 PM daily.
翻译成英文：'El inglés se enseña en nuestra escuela.'
将这些单词连成句子：
将动词与其过去分词连线：
Score: /12
常见问题 (8)
No, you can only use it with 'transitive' verbs—verbs that take an object. You can't say 'The bed is slept' because 'sleep' doesn't have an object.
Not at all! It is very useful for formal writing and when the doer is unknown. Just don't use it for every single sentence.
Use `is made of` when you can still see the material (The table is made of wood). Use `is made from` when the material has changed (Paper is made from trees).
No. In fact, in about 80% of passive sentences, we don't use `by`. Only use it if the person's name is important information.
Just move 'am/is/are' to the front. `Is the room cleaned?` instead of `The room is cleaned.`
Yes! Just add 'not' after the verb to be. `The letters are not sent.`
It can be! If you mean someone broke it, it's passive. If you are just describing the window, 'broken' is an adjective.
Because in science, the experiment is more important than the scientist. It makes the results sound more objective.
Scaffolded Practice
1
2
3
4
Mastery Progress
Needs Practice
Improving
Strong
Mastered
In Other Languages
Voz pasiva con 'ser' or 'Se' pasivo
English uses the passive voice much more frequently than Spanish in daily speech.
La voix passive
French participles change endings (e.g., mangé, mangée, mangés), while English ones don't.
Vorgangspassiv
German uses 'werden' for actions and 'sein' for states; English uses 'be' for both.
受動態 (Judōtai)
Japanese passive is often used to show that the subject is negatively affected by the action.
المبني للمجهول (Al-mabni lil-majhul)
There is no equivalent to the word 'is' or 'are' in the Arabic passive structure.
被字句 (Bèi zì jù)
The passive in Chinese often carries a negative connotation, though this is changing in modern usage.
Learning Path
Prerequisites
Learn These First
Continue With
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### Overview 在英语学习中，掌握不同的语态（voice）能够让你的表达更加灵活和地道。今天我们要讲的“过去简单被动语态”（Past...
情态动词的被动语态：可以做到
### Overview 在使用英语进行表达时，我们经常需要把重点放在“事情本身”而不是“谁做了这件事”上。这就是我们要讨论的重点：含有...
被动语态：转述动词（据说...）
### Overview 在英语中，当我们要表达某个信息，但又不想明确说出是谁说的，或者说话人是谁不重要时，我们经常会用到一种特殊的...
被动语态：事物被动地发生（被制造，被发送）
### Overview 在学习英语的过程中，很多同学会发现，英语和中文在表达“谁做了什么”这件事上，逻辑其实非常相似，都是“主语 + 谓...
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英语语法：被动语态 (Passive Voice) 基础教学
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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、...
