被动语态在英语语法中的目的主要有三个:避免过度使用主语,突出动作的重要性,以及表达客观事实。被动语态使主语成为动作的承受者,有助于使文章或对话更加清晰简洁,更符合英语语法的规范。
1.避免过度使用主语
使用被动语态可以避免在文章或对话中反复使用同一个主语,使得文章更加简洁明了。比如,以下句子中,使用被动语态可以避免重复使用主语“the company”:
- 主动语态:The company launched a new product last week, and the company received positive feedback from customers.
- 被动语态:A new product was launched by the company last week, and positive feedback was received from customers.
2.突出动作的重要性
有时候,我们需要强调动作本身,而不是执行动作的人或物。在这种情况下,使用被动语态可以更好地突出动作的重要性。比如,以下句子中,使用被动语态可以更好地强调“被选中”这个动作:
- 主动语态:The committee selected John as the winner of the competition.
- 被动语态:John was selected as the winner of the competition by the committee.
3.表达客观事实
有些情况下,我们需要表达某个动作或事件是由自然力量或其他不可控因素引起的,而不是由人为因素引起的。在这种情况下,使用被动语态可以更好地表达客观事实。比如,以下句子中,使用被动语态可以更好地表达这场比赛的结果是由比赛双方的表现决定的,而不是由某个人或团队决定的:
- 主动语态:The team won the game because they played better than the other team.
- 被动语态:The game was won by the team that played better than the other team.