一般來說，人們寫作時只是出于文體或上下文一致的原因，才使用被動語態(tài)。及物動詞既可能是主動的，又可能是被動的。如果是主語發(fā)出的動作，謂語應(yīng)用主語語態(tài)；反之，如果主語是動作施加的對象，謂語則應(yīng)用被動語態(tài)。但事實上，人們更偏愛主動語態(tài)，因為它顯得突出而直截了當(dāng)。若謂語采用較弱的被動語態(tài)，行為者往往被隱去大名，或顯得好像并不重要。然而，當(dāng)不知道行為者是誰，或者作者想把重點放到動作承受方而不是動作方時，動作本身比采取動作的人更重要，這時就有必要用被動語態(tài)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. 

特殊情況: 如果動作的承受方比動作的實施者更為重要，則采用被動語態(tài)則更為有力。（目的在于強(qiáng)調(diào)行為的承受者或忽略動作的實施者） 

GoodPassive: All the buildings were destroyedduring the bombing

（強(qiáng)調(diào)動作的承受者） 

GoodPassive:Iresent being spoken to so rudely.　　　　　　

(說話者對此行為十分反感，并不針對某個人) 

GoodPassive:Anyperson who attempts to escape will be shot.   

(旨在強(qiáng)調(diào)) 

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.   

（雖然未出現(xiàn)動作的發(fā)出者，但被動語態(tài)更可取） 

GoodPassive:ScottFitzgerald had written that his contemporaries grew up "to find all Godsdead, all wars fought, all faiths in man shaken."

(斜體字部分的被動語氣用作形容詞，可與"dead"保持平行)