语态是谓语动词的一种形式，用来说明主语和谓语之间的关系。英语中的语态分主动语态和被动语态两种。主动语态表示主语是动作的执行者；被动语态表示主语是动作的承受者，或者说主语是动作的对象，即主语是谓语动词的逻辑宾语。如：

We clean the room every day.我们每天打扫房间。（we是clean的执行者）

The room is cleaned every day.房间每天都打扫。（room是clean的对象）

注意： 由于被动语态的主语是谓语动词的逻辑宾语，因此只有及物动词才可能有被动语态；不及物动词没有被动语态。

13-2 被动语态的用法

1.动作的执行者不明确用被动语态

当我们不知道动作的执行者是谁，或没有必要指出动作的执行者是谁时用被动语态。如：

The glass is broken.玻璃杯被打破了。

Letters are collected at eight every morning.每天早晨八点收取信件。

His bike has been stolen.他的自行车被人偷走了。

2.动作的承受者是谈话的中心时用被动语态

为了强调或突出动作的承受者，使动作的承受者成为谈话的中心时用被动语态。如：

The desk was made by Master Wang.这张课桌是王师傅做的。

The bag was taken away by his sister.那个口袋是她姐姐提走的。

The man was hit by a speeding car.这人被一辆超速的车撞倒了。

The plan has already been made.计划已经制订好了。

3.句法结构的需要

（1）在上下文中，为了使句子间连接紧密时常用被动语态。如：

I have a new motorbike.It was given to me as a birthday present by my father.我有辆新摩托车。它是父亲送给我的生日礼物。

（2）在新闻报道中，为了表明报道的客观性而避免主观性的透露时常用被动语态。如：

A car accident happened on the high way this morning.Three men were killed，the wounded were taken away to hospital at once and policemen were sent there to cope with the event.今天早晨高速公路上发生了一起车祸，三人丧生，伤员马上被送往医院，并立即派了警察去处理这一事件。

（3）在科技论文中，常使用被动语态来强调客观事实。如：

When it is cold enough，water will be turned into ice.当天气足够冷时，水就会变成冰。

So far，the moon has been visited by earthmen several times.到目前为止，地球人已经几次拜访了月亮。

（4）有些习惯用法常以被动语态形式出现。如：

I am determined to do better than Mike.我决心比迈克做得更好。

We should be devoted to what we do.我们应致力于我们所做的工作。

I 'm very interested in fine arts.我对美术非常感兴趣。

She was seated by the window.她坐在窗户旁。

He is dressed very well.他穿得很得体。

Marcia was born in Malaysia in 1995.玛西娅1995年出生于马来西亚。

[歌诀巧记] 被动语态用法巧记歌诀：

谁做的动作不知道，说出谁做的没必要；

突出承受者或礼貌，用被动语态错不了。