英汉语言差异6被动和主动Passive vs Active被动语态是英语的一种常见的语法现象。
在某些问题当中，使用被动句几乎成了一种习惯。
被动句促成了物称倾向，物称倾向促成了被动句。
常用被动句的原因有：1施事未知而难以言明Eg 凶手已于昨天被捕，据说他将会被判处绞刑。
2施事在上下文里面可以看出Eg她告诉我，她的男主人已解雇了她。
男主人没有讲明任何理由。
3 施事不如受事重要，或受事需要施事强调Eg 她的独子被汽车轧了。
4 为了隐含含糊的人称主语Eg 茶会上只供应茶和饼。
5 由于特殊原因不要讲明施事，如为了使得叙述得体，或为了某种微妙的情绪Eg 今晚有人在这里讲了不该讲的话。
The murderer was caught yesterday, and it is said that he will be hanged.She told me that her master had dismissed her. No reason had been assigned.Her only son was run over by a car.At the party only tea and cake were served.Some things have been said here tonight that ought not to have been spoken.英语中的结构被动句比意义被动句要多很多。
一般来说，绝大多数及物动词和短语都有被动语态。
使用范围广，使用频率也很高。
但是，“意义被动句”，即主动的形式表达被动的意义，在英语里面比较少见。
这些产品十分畅销。
这个钟在背面上发条。
她穿得漂亮。
房间很快就挤满了。
这种布经洗。
这本书正在印刷。
这项计划正在制定。
你的头发需要打理了。
These products sell like hot cakes. (=are sold)The clock winds up at the back.(= can be wound up )She dresses beautifully. (=is dressed)The room filled rapidly. (=is filled)This kind of cloth washes very well. (=can be washed)The book is printing. (=is being printed)The plan is working out. (=is being worked out)Your hair needs cutting.英语有些被动可以用词汇，词组来表达：受试者受委托者他感到惊讶那个人受询问凶手被监禁可吃的想要的可以看见的值得尊敬的为某人所有Examinee = person examinedReferee = to whom a question is referredHis astonishment =he was astonishedThe man’s trial = the man was triedThe imprisonment of the murderer =the murderer was imprisonedEatable = can be eatenDesirable = to be desiredVisible = that can be seenRespectable = deserving respectIn one’s possession = owned by someone和英语相反的是，汉译常用“意义被动式”，少用“形式被动式”。
