主动语态比被动语态直接而有力，多用主动语态，可以使文章充满朝气，呈现活力。在下列两组句子中， （b）比（a）有力：

（1） a.My first visit to New Zealand will always be remembered by me.
b. I will always remember my first visit to New Zealand.

（2） a.The crowing of cocks could be heard at dawn.
b. The cocks' crow came with dawn.

虽然如此，在某些情况下，非用被动语态不可。前此已提过这事，这里不再重述。这里只有指出其中一点，就是有些动词，如 "base, schedule, expect, suppose" 等，通常以被动语态形式出现。

例如：

（1）This survey was based on facts.
（2）The last train is scheduled to leave at 9pm.
（3）You are expected to come on time.
（4）All are supposed to work hard.

除了上述这些动词之外，还有十种，几乎都以被动式出现。

（一）有关“疾病”的动词，如：
（1）Helen's left lung is infected.
（2）He is confined to the house by illness.
（3）The old man was seized with sudden chest pains.

（二）有关“疲乏”的动词，如：
（4） I am completely exhausted after the game.
（5）Tom was done up after the race.

（三）有关“喜乐”的动词，如：
（6）The children were fascinated by the toys.
（7）We were delighted to hear the good news.
（8） I am very pleased to see you here.

（四）有关“延迟”或“障碍”的动词，如：
（9）The workers were held up by the heavy rain.
（10）The road was blocked by ice.
（11）The train was delayed by 30 minutes.

（五）有关“惯性动作”的动词，如：
（12）Tom is addicted to smoking.
（13）Foreign workers are quite used to hard work.

（六）有关“烦恼”或“焦急”的动词，如：
（14）Who was upset by John?
（15）Mother was annoyed to know this.

（七）有关“惊奇”或“震惊”的动词，如：
（16） I was surprised to see him here.
（17）All were shocked to hear the bad news.

（八）有关“包围”的动词，如：
（18）The troops were surrounded.
（19）Troy was besieged.

（九）有关“沾污”或“污化”的动词，如：
（20）Judy's reputation is tarnished.
（21）The water was contaminated with oil.

（十）有关“害怕”或“混乱”的动词，如：
（22）All were frightened out of their wits.
（23）He was puzzled about what to do next.

要注意的一点是，上面这十类动词有些已渐渐失去了动词力量，转化为惯用语。