一般来说，人们写作时只是出于文体或上下文一致的原因，才使用被动语态。及物动词既可能是主动的，又可能是被动的。如果是主语发出的动作，谓语应用主语语态；反之，如果主语是动作施加的对象，谓语则应用被动语态。但事实上，人们更偏爱主动语态，因为它显得突出而直截了当。若谓语采用较弱的被动语态，行为者往往被隐去大名，或显得好像并不重要。然而，当不知道行为者是谁，或者作者想把重点放到动作承受方而不是动作方时，动作本身比采取动作的人更重要，这时就有必要用被动语态了。
WeakPassive:He'll need to be looked after.
StrongActive:He'll need looking after.
WeakPassive:You're going to be covered favorably bythe press.
StrongActive:You're going to get fabulous press.
WeakPassive:Do you remember when Nelson Mandela of SouthAfrica was freed?
StrongActive:Do you remember when Nelson Mandela of SouthAfrica walked free?
WeakPassive:Rumors of a broader deal betweenDailmerChrysler and Nissan Motor Co. have been spread far and wide.
StrongActive:Rumors of a broader deal betweenDailmerChrysler and Nissan Motor Co. have gained currency.
WeakPassive:His language was too bad to be repeated.
StrongActive:His language wouldn't bear repeating.
WeakPassive:My shoes need to be mended.
StrongActive:My shoes want mending.
WeakPassive:Honey was gathered by the beeas it flitted from flower to flower.
StrongActive:The bee, flitting from flower toflower, gathered honey.
WeakPassive:What awaits him when a door is opened by him isknown by no man. Surprises may beharbored in even the most familiar room.
StrongActive:No man knows what awaits him when he opens adoor; Even the most familiar room may harbor surprises.
WeakPassive:The great challenge of this Conference is togive voice to women everywhere whose experiences are not noticed andwhose words are not heard by the rest of the world.
StrongActive:The great challenge of this Conference is togive voice to women everywhere whose experiences go unnoticed and whose wordsgo unheard.
WeakPassive:This project has been benefited frommany outstanding contributors who have worked with exceptional care anddevotion.
StrongActive:This project has the benefit of manyoutstanding contributors who have worked with exceptional care and devotion.
特殊情况: 如果动作的承受方比动作的实施者更为重要，则采用被动语态则更为有力。（目的在于强调行为的承受者或忽略动作的实施者）
GoodPassive: All the buildings were destroyedduring the bombing
（强调动作的承受者）
GoodPassive:Iresent being spoken to so rudely.
(说话者对此行为十分反感，并不针对某个人)
GoodPassive:Anyperson who attempts to escape will be shot.
(旨在强调)
GoodPassive:Applesare grown in Michigan, so are blueberries.
(突出水果)
GoodPassive:Muchhas been written and much has been said, but nothing has beendone.
（虽然未出现动作的发出者，但被动语态更可取）
GoodPassive:ScottFitzgerald had written that his contemporaries grew up "to find all Godsdead, all wars fought, all faiths in man shaken."
(斜体字部分的被动语气用作形容词，可与"dead"保持平行)
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