英语语态知识点全部总结

英语语态知识点全部总结

Passive voice is a grammatical construction in English that allows us to switch the order of the subject and the object in a sentence. When using passive voice, the object of the sentence becomes the subject, and the subject often becomes less important or is not explicitly stated.

In this comprehensive guide, we will cover everything you need to know about the passive voice in English, including its structure, usage, and common mistakes to avoid.

Structure of Passive Voice

In passive voice, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject, and the verb is changed to a form of “be” (am, is, are, was, were, being, been) followed by the past participle of the main verb. Here’s a basic example of the structure of passive voice:

Active Voice: The dog chased the cat.

Passive Voice: The cat was chased by the dog.

In the passive voice sentence, “the cat” is the subject, “was chased” is the passive form of the verb, and “by the dog” is the agent (the doer of the action).

Usage of Passive Voice

There are several reasons why we use passive voice in English. Some of the most common reasons include:

Emphasizing the object: We use passive voice to emphasize the object of the action rather than the subject. For example, “The cake was eaten” puts the focus on the cake rather than the person who ate it.

Unimportant subject: When the subject of the action is unimportant or unknown, we may use passive voice. For example, “The car was stolen” does not mention who stole the car.

Formal writing: In formal writing, such as academic papers or official documents, passive voice is often used to create a more formal tone. For example, “The results were analyzed” is a more formal way of saying “We analyzed the results.”

Avoiding blaming or accusing: Passive voice can be used to avoid stating who is responsible for an action. For example, “Mistakes were made” is a way of avoiding blame.

Common Mistakes with Passive Voice

While passive voice is a useful grammatical structure, it can also lead to some common mistakes. Here are a few common mistakes to avoid when using passive voice in English:

Using passive voice too frequently: While passive voice has its place, overusing it can make your writing sound distant and unfocused. It’s important to use active voice when the actor of the sentence is important or when you want to make your writing more direct and engaging.

Confusing the object with the subject: It’s important to remember that in passive voice, the object of the active sentence becomes the subject. This can be confusing for some learners, so it’s important to pay attention to the structure of the sentence.

Forgetting the agent: When using passive voice, it’s important to include the agent (the doer of the action) in the sentence, if it is known and relevant. Leaving out the agent can make the sentence sound incomplete.

Using unnecessary passive voice: Sometimes, writers use passive voice when active voice would be more appropriate. It’s important to consider whether passive voice is necessary for the meaning and clarity of the sentence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, passive voice is an important grammatical structure in English that allows us to change the focus of a sentence and emphasize the object of an action. By understanding the structure and usage of passive voice, as well as common mistakes to avoid, you can improve your writing and communication skills in English. Whether you are writing a formal paper, discussing complex ideas, or simply communicating with others, having a solid grasp of passive voice will help you express yourself more effectively.