被动语态是英语语法中的一个重要组成部分,它在表达句意时,将动作的承受者置于主语位置,而动作的执行者则隐藏在介词“by”之后,或者省略不提。这种语态的使用,可以使句子更加简洁明了,并更有效地突出动作的承受者。
那么,为什么要使用被动语态呢?

1. 强调动作的承受者:
当我们想要突出动作的承受者,而非执行者时,被动语态是最佳选择。例如,“The window was broken by the wind.” 这里强调的是窗户被打破的事实,而非风的作用。
2. 避免提及执行者:
在某些情况下,我们可能并不想提及动作的执行者,或者不知道执行者是谁。例如,“The thief was arrested.” 这句话中,我们并不需要知道谁抓住了小偷。
3. 避免重复:
当同一个句子中反复出现同一个执行者时,使用被动语态可以避免重复。例如,“The teacher gave the students a test. The students were given a test by the teacher.” 使用被动语态可以将第二句改为 “The students were given a test.”
4. 使句子更加正式:
被动语态在正式的写作中较为常见,它可以使句子更加客观和正式。例如,“The decision was made by the committee.” 比 “The committee made the decision.” 更正式。
5. 使句子更加简洁:
有时,使用被动语态可以使句子更加简洁。例如,“The book was written in 1999.” 比 “Someone wrote the book in 1999.” 更简洁。
需要注意的是,被动语态并非万能,滥用被动语态会使文章显得冗长乏味。在写作中,要根据具体的语境和表达需要选择是否使用被动语态。
扩展:被动语态与时态
被动语态可以与各种时态连用,例如:
一般现在时被动语态: The car is driven by John.
一般过去时被动语态: The letter was sent yesterday.
现在进行时被动语态: The house is being painted.
过去进行时被动语态: The book was being read by the student.
将来时被动语态: The meeting will be held tomorrow.
现在完成时被动语态: The work has been finished.
过去完成时被动语态: The letter had been written by him.
理解被动语态的时态变化,可以帮助我们更好地运用被动语态,使表达更加准确和清晰。
评论