Lecture 15 Lecture 15

Passive Voice (II)Passive Voice (II)

Teaching ContentsTeaching Contents 15.1 Uses of passive sentences15.1 Uses of passive sentences

15.2 Passive constructions and pa15.2 Passive constructions and passive meaningsssive meanings

15.1 Uses of passive sentences15.1 Uses of passive sentences 1) Cases where the passive is used1) Cases where the passive is used a) The passive is used when we are more ina) The passive is used when we are more in

terested in the event itself than in the agentterested in the event itself than in the agent e.g. Hundreds of passengers were killed in e.g. Hundreds of passengers were killed in

the crash.the crash. b) It is used when the agent is unknown or b) It is used when the agent is unknown or

when we wish to make a statement sound iwhen we wish to make a statement sound impersonal perhaps out of modesty or tactfmpersonal perhaps out of modesty or tactfulness.ulness.

e.g. This book was published in the 16th cee.g. This book was published in the 16th century.ntury.

c) It is used with the agent by-phrase exprc) It is used with the agent by-phrase expressed to stress the doer of the action.essed to stress the doer of the action.

e.g. Who invented the telephone? e.g. Who invented the telephone? It was It was invented by Graham Bell. invented by Graham Bell.

2) Two related types of passive sentence2) Two related types of passive sentences in transformations in transformation

People say that he is a good student.People say that he is a good student. A: It is said that he A: It is said that he is is a good student.a good student. B: He is said B: He is said to beto be a good student. a good student.

(a) A B(a) A B will dowill do will be doing } to be doingwill be doing } to be doing be doingbe doing --- It is said that he will leave. (will be leav--- It is said that he will leave. (will be leav

ing, is leaving) ing, is leaving) He is said to be leaving.He is said to be leaving. *--- It is *--- It is expectedexpected that he will leave. that he will leave. --- He is expected to leave. --- He is expected to leave.

(b) A B(b) A B is / are is / are to be to be does / do does / do to do to do be doing be doing to be doing to be doing --- It is said that he is a good student.--- It is said that he is a good student. àHe is said to be a good student.àHe is said to be a good student. --- It is said that he works hard.--- It is said that he works hard. àHe is said to work hard.àHe is said to work hard. --- It is believed that he is working hard.--- It is believed that he is working hard.

(c) A B(c) A B was / were / did was / were / did to have been / do to have been / do

nene has / have done has / have done to have done to have done It is believed that he was a poor man.It is believed that he was a poor man. He is believed to have been a poor maHe is believed to have been a poor ma

n.n. --- It is believed that he left (has left).--- It is believed that he left (has left). He is believed to have left.He is believed to have left.

(d) A B(d) A B Was / were doing Was / were doing to have been doing to have been doing --- It is reported that he was writing a book.--- It is reported that he was writing a book. àHe is reported to have been writing a book.àHe is reported to have been writing a book. He is believed to be working hard. He is believed to be working hard.

(e) A B(e) A B was / were donewas / were done have / has been done } to have been donehave / has been done } to have been done --- It is reported that the murderer was (has b--- It is reported that the murderer was (has b

een) sentenced to death.een) sentenced to death. The murderer is reported to have been senThe murderer is reported to have been sen

tenced to death.tenced to death.

3) Points to be noticed3) Points to be noticed (a) If there are some other modal auxiliaries e(a) If there are some other modal auxiliaries e

xcept will in that-clause such as xcept will in that-clause such as can/could, mcan/could, may/might, mustay/might, must, , type A cannot be turned into type A cannot be turned into type Btype B..

--- It is felt that he can pass. (Not be able to)--- It is felt that he can pass. (Not be able to) b) If b) If the form of the main verbthe form of the main verb in type A is in in type A is in

the simple past, the verb form of type B is alsthe simple past, the verb form of type B is also in the past.o in the past.

--- It was said that he was a teacher.--- It was said that he was a teacher. He was said to be a teacher.He was said to be a teacher. --- it was thought that he had acted foolishly.--- it was thought that he had acted foolishly. He was thought to have acted foolishly.He was thought to have acted foolishly.

(c) The above transformational rules only a(c) The above transformational rules only apply to pply to the sentence whose first clause contthe sentence whose first clause contains such verbsains such verbs as acknowledge, assume, b as acknowledge, assume, believe, claim, consider, estimate, expect, feelieve, claim, consider, estimate, expect, feel, find, know, pel, find, know, p

(d) Some verbs, such as decide, hope, imply,(d) Some verbs, such as decide, hope, imply, propose, suggest, can be used in type A, bu propose, suggest, can be used in type A, but cannot be used in type B.t cannot be used in type B.

--- It is hoped that you will see him again.--- It is hoped that you will see him again. You are hoped to …You are hoped to … --- It is proposed that we meet on Monday.--- It is proposed that we meet on Monday. We are proposed to…We are proposed to… resume, report, say, think, understand, etc.resume, report, say, think, understand, etc.

15.2 Passive constructions and passive mea15.2 Passive constructions and passive meaningsnings

1) Contrast between English and Chinese pa1) Contrast between English and Chinese passivesssives

In Chinese there is a kind of subjectless senteIn Chinese there is a kind of subjectless sentences, which in English are usually expressed nces, which in English are usually expressed by passive sentences by passive sentences

e.g. e.g. 城里又办起了一所大学。 城里又办起了一所大学。 Another university has been founded in this ciAnother university has been founded in this ci

ty.ty. Both English and Chinese have active sentencBoth English and Chinese have active sentenc

es expressing passive meanings.es expressing passive meanings. e.g. e.g. 这料子容易销售。这料子容易销售。 This kind of material sells well.This kind of material sells well.

汉语被字结构：长被动句：有施事的被动汉语被字结构：长被动句：有施事的被动句。张三被李四打了。句。张三被李四打了。

短被动句：无施事的被动句。张三被打了。短被动句：无施事的被动句。张三被打了。 例：小李被小张打了。小李被打了。例：小李被小张打了。小李被打了。 小李被小张打了他一拳。小李被小张打了他一拳。 小李被小张派小王去找了。小李被小张派小王去找了。 小李被小张踩伤了一只脚。小李被小张踩伤了一只脚。 小李被小张踩伤了他的一只脚。小李被小张踩伤了他的一只脚。

2) Active sentences expressing passive m2) Active sentences expressing passive meaningseanings

Generally speaking, Generally speaking, passive meaningpassive meaning shou should be expressed by ld be expressed by passive voicepassive voice. The . The verbverbss in the passive voice should be in the passive voice should be transitive vtransitive verbserbs. . Intransitive Intransitive verbs can not be used in verbs can not be used in the passive voice. But some the passive voice. But some intransitive veintransitive verbsrbs used in used in SV(A)SV(A) patterns express patterns express passive passive meaningsmeanings..

--- Nylon dries quickly. --- Nylon dries quickly. --- This poem reads well.--- This poem reads well. --- The door won’t lock.--- The door won’t lock.

••Why can these intransitive verbs be used to expWhy can these intransitive verbs be used to express passive meanings? ress passive meanings?

••Generally speaking, they are transitive verbs. WGenerally speaking, they are transitive verbs. When they are used to express passive meanings, it hen they are used to express passive meanings, it is an intransitive use of the transitive verbs.is an intransitive use of the transitive verbs.

••There is an opinion that the sentence “His booThere is an opinion that the sentence “His books don’t sell” means “His books are not sold.”ks don’t sell” means “His books are not sold.”

••But there is another opinion that the two sentenBut there is another opinion that the two sentences are different in meaning.ces are different in meaning.

--- His books are not sold. (It is a fact.)--- His books are not sold. (It is a fact.) --- His book don’t sell. (The sale is infected by so--- His book don’t sell. (The sale is infected by so

me inferior feature.)me inferior feature.) --- The house won’t let. (--- The house won’t let. ( 租不出去租不出去 )) --- The house will not be let. (--- The house will not be let. ( 不出租不出租 ) )

notional passive: students active in form, pasnotional passive: students active in form, passive in meaning. / pseudo-intransitive sentensive in meaning. / pseudo-intransitive sentencesces

按动词时态分两种情况：按动词时态分两种情况： 1)1) 进行时 进行时 The house is building = is being builThe house is building = is being buil

t.t. 其特点是：其特点是： A.A. 他强调的是动作的进行过程，而与他强调的是动作的进行过程，而与

施事无关。施事无关。 B. B. 简洁明快：与简洁明快：与 is being builtis being built 比较，比较，但是必须以不会被误解为施动者为前提。但是必须以不会被误解为施动者为前提。

2)2) 一般时一般时 e.g. This material washes /doesn’t wash/woe.g. This material washes /doesn’t wash/wo

n’t wash.n’t wash. 可洗 可洗 / / 不可洗 不可洗 / / 不能洗不能洗

A.A. 形式上，主语形式上，主语 ++ 动词或者主语动词或者主语 ++ 动词动词 ++ 状语，状语，以后者居多。以后者居多。

B.B. 语义上，主语大多不是有生命体词语。语义上，主语大多不是有生命体词语。 主动表被动：主动表被动： a. He bribed a government official.a. He bribed a government official. b. Government officials bribe easily.b. Government officials bribe easily. c. *Government officials have bribe easily.c. *Government officials have bribe easily. d. *Government officials bribed easily yestd. *Government officials bribed easily yest

erday.erday. e. Government officials won’t bribe easile. Government officials won’t bribe easil

y in the future.y in the future.

由上面的例子，可以看出此类句子的特点：由上面的例子，可以看出此类句子的特点： 1)1) 时态受限制，不能随意使用其它时态，如时态受限制，不能随意使用其它时态，如 c), c),

(d), (e)(d), (e) 。。 2)2) 中动词结构描写类属特性中动词结构描写类属特性 (generic)(generic) ，即通常，即通常

的情况，如的情况，如 (b)(b) 。。 3)3) 它们不描述某时某刻发生的事情，因此不可以它们不描述某时某刻发生的事情，因此不可以

用进行体和祈使语气。用进行体和祈使语气。 e.g. Chickens kill easily. *Chickens are killie.g. Chickens kill easily. *Chickens are killi

ng easily.ng easily. 4)4) 通常要带附加语，如副词。通常要带附加语，如副词。 e.g. *Bureaucrats bribe.e.g. *Bureaucrats bribe.

5)5) 不能前置，如不能前置，如 *the killing chicken*the killing chicken 即使用于现在进行时，如即使用于现在进行时，如 (b)(b) 。但是，这类句子。但是，这类句子

仍不能描写事体仍不能描写事体 (eventive)(eventive) 。换言之，下面的。换言之，下面的例子表示不同连续状态的变化，即每天修改一次例子表示不同连续状态的变化，即每天修改一次手稿且每一次修改稿读起来比前一次更好。中动手稿且每一次修改稿读起来比前一次更好。中动词结构表示属性，即使用了进行体，也是表示这词结构表示属性，即使用了进行体，也是表示这些属性随时间发生变化。些属性随时间发生变化。

e.g. This manuscript is reading better every e.g. This manuscript is reading better every day.day.

6)6) 被动结构可以用被动结构可以用 byby 讲施动者外化，而中动句讲施动者外化，而中动句不能带不能带 byby 短语。但可以用短语。但可以用 forfor 短语。短语。

e.g. John was hit by Bill.e.g. John was hit by Bill. *Bureaucrats bribe easily by managers.*Bureaucrats bribe easily by managers. That book reads quickly for Mary.That book reads quickly for Mary. No Latin text translates easily for Bill.No Latin text translates easily for Bill. 7)7) 中动词不能带中动词不能带 carefully, deliberately, volcarefully, deliberately, vol

untarilyuntarily 等一类副词。等一类副词。 e.g. Your books read intentionally.e.g. Your books read intentionally. 8)8) 中动词不能带目的子句。中动词不能带目的子句。 e.g. *Those chickens killed to make monee.g. *Those chickens killed to make mone

y.y. *Bureaucrats bribe easily to keep them *Bureaucrats bribe easily to keep them

happy.happy.

3) Passive constructions or linking verb + complem3) Passive constructions or linking verb + complement constructionsent constructions

-ed participles can be used either as part of a passive c-ed participles can be used either as part of a passive construction or as adjectives (and their comparatives) fonstruction or as adjectives (and their comparatives) functioning as complement of a linking verb. Compare:unctioning as complement of a linking verb. Compare:

-ed as participle -ed as part of a passive constru-ed as participle -ed as part of a passive constructionction

I am verb annoyed I was annoyed by I am verb annoyed I was annoyed by

with him. mosquitoes all nightwith him. mosquitoes all night I am very interested I was interested by what I am very interested I was interested by what

in chess. you told you.in chess. you told you. Note that very cannot modify the –ed participle in the Note that very cannot modify the –ed participle in the

right-hand column. right-hand column.

The commonest linking verbs used in the left-hanThe commonest linking verbs used in the left-hand column are be and get, and the complement thad column are be and get, and the complement that follows can also take the form of a seemingly pht follows can also take the form of a seemingly phrasal verb.rasal verb.

e.g. He is easily excited.e.g. He is easily excited. He is bound up in his work.He is bound up in his work. Other linking verbs are become, feel, seem, look, Other linking verbs are become, feel, seem, look,

remain.remain. e.g. He looks/seems tired.e.g. He looks/seems tired. -ed particles used as adjectives may be followed b-ed particles used as adjectives may be followed b

y prepositions other than by.y prepositions other than by. e.g. He is bent on mastering English e.g. He is bent on mastering English You’ll soon get accustomed to the change of clYou’ll soon get accustomed to the change of cl

imate. imate.

With / by With / by withwith 不仅可表工具，也可表无生命的施动者，不仅可表工具，也可表无生命的施动者，

byby 不仅表施动者，也可表工具、手段或方式。不仅表施动者，也可表工具、手段或方式。 The roads are packed with people The roads are packed with people （（ WithWith 在这里并不表示工具）在这里并不表示工具） Are these goods made by machinery? Are these goods made by machinery? （（ byby 在这里表示工具）在这里表示工具）当当 byby 短语和短语和 withwith 短语表示无生命体时，用短语表示无生命体时，用 byby

或或 witwit在意义上有区别。在意义上有区别。

e.g. My car had been damaged by the brane.g. My car had been damaged by the branch of a tree. ch of a tree.

My car had been damaged with the brancMy car had been damaged with the branch of a tree.h of a tree.

我的汽车被一个树枝刮伤了。我的汽车被一个树枝刮伤了。 有个人用一个树枝刮上了我的汽车有个人用一个树枝刮上了我的汽车 (( 施动者将施动者将

树枝作为工具树枝作为工具 )) 。。 He was killed by a falling stone. He was killed by a falling stone. 自然原因自然原因 He was killed with a knife. He was killed with a knife. 刀子作为工具刀子作为工具

get vs. be get vs. be 过去分词过去分词 The window was / got broken.The window was / got broken. 1)Be +V-ed1)Be +V-ed 可以表示状态，也可以表动作，而可以表示状态，也可以表动作，而

get+V-edget+V-ed 则表动作。则表动作。 e.g. They are married now, but I can’t tele.g. They are married now, but I can’t tel

l you when they got married. l you when they got married. 2)get+V-ed2)get+V-ed 常表不合心意的事情，如常表不合心意的事情，如 get hurt get hurt

/ slapped /beaten; get dismissed/killed/cau/ slapped /beaten; get dismissed/killed/caught (in the rain)ght (in the rain) 。。

3)get+V-ed3)get+V-ed 不大用于正式语体。不大用于正式语体。

Become, get, go, turnBecome, get, go, turn 作连系动词：词义差作连系动词：词义差别并不是很分明的。别并不是很分明的。

becomebecome 强调变化过程的持续性：强调变化过程的持续性： e.g. How did they become acquainted? e.g. How did they become acquainted?

你们是怎样相识的？你们是怎样相识的？ 2)go, turn2)go, turn 常常表示不顾施动者的主观意愿而常常表示不顾施动者的主观意愿而

产生的变化，因此，往往用来表示恶化情况，产生的变化，因此，往往用来表示恶化情况，而而 turnturn 常常表示从某种状态向其对立状态变常常表示从某种状态向其对立状态变化的自然现象。化的自然现象。

e.g. The black hair was going grey.e.g. The black hair was going grey. The weather has turned much colder.The weather has turned much colder.