passive
/ˈpæsɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpæsɪv/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpa-siv/ (ame, mw) · /ˈpæs.ɪv/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈpæs.ɪv/ (ame, ipa)
passive — 形容詞
- passivepositive
- more passivecomparative
- most passivesuperlative
1. in grammar, describing a verb form where the subject receives the action instead
被動式的
文法上主語承受動作
in grammar, describing a verb form where the subject receives the action instead of doing it.
In Carla's homework, 'The cake was eaten' is passive.
在 Carla 的作業裡，「The cake was eaten」是被動式。
predicate adjective after be: the verb is passive
Dr. Wu's lab report sounded formal because every sentence was passive.
Dr. Wu 的實驗報告因為每句都用被動式，所以聽起來很正式。
common in formal writing
In Leo's paragraph, the first sentence was passive, so Ms. Chen marked it correct.
在 Leo 的段落裡，第一句用了被動式，所以 Ms. Chen 把它判對。
On the worksheet, only sentence three is passive.
在那張練習單上，只有第三句是被動式的。
- active
grammar term for forms where the subject does the action
文法句型
[verb/form/voice] + be + passive
passive + noun (passive sentence, passive verb)
用法筆記
Usually used after a linking verb or before grammar nouns such as 'voice', 'form', and 'sentence'. Distinguish from noun sense 1, where 'the passive' names the grammar pattern itself.
常見錯誤
2. quietly letting events or other people control what happens, without trying to l
被動的
不主動改變或反抗
quietly letting events or other people control what happens, without trying to lead, resist, or change things.
Mia stayed passive while her friends chose the restaurant.
朋友選餐廳時，Mia 一直很消極。
stay/remain passive
A passive school board let the chair cut the music budget.
校董會太被動，讓主席刪掉音樂預算。
passive + group or institution
During the meeting, Ken looked passive and said almost nothing.
開會時，Ken 看起來很消極，幾乎沒說話。
The crowd remained passive even after the mayor ignored their questions.
即使市長無視大家的提問，人群仍然很消極。
- inactive
emphasises not doing much, without the idea of yielding control
- submissive
stronger; suggests obeying others and accepting lower power
- compliant
focuses on following rules or requests, often without protest
文法句型
be/stay/remain passive
passive + noun (passive role, passive attitude)
用法筆記
Often used with verbs like 'stay', 'remain', and 'become'. It suggests lack of action or resistance, not simple politeness or calmness.
常見錯誤
3. used for money that keeps coming from rent, investments, or similar sources with
被動收入
不靠日常工作持續收入
used for money that keeps coming from rent, investments, or similar sources without daily work from you.
Rent from the small shop gives Elena passive income each month.
那間小店的租金每個月都替 Elena 帶來被動收入。
fixed phrase: passive income
Mr. Lee hopes dividends will become passive income after he retires.
Mr. Lee 希望退休後，股利能變成他的被動收入。
Online courses can bring passive income long after the videos are made.
線上課程在影片做好很久後，仍能帶來被動收入。
For many families, rent from one flat provides useful passive income.
對很多家庭來說，一間公寓的租金能提供實用的被動收入。
文法句型
passive income
earn/generate passive income
用法筆記
Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'passive income'. The money usually comes from an asset or earlier work, not from current hours of labour.
常見錯誤
passive — 名詞
- passivesingular
- passivesplural
1. the verb form or voice in which the subject is acted on instead of acting.
被動語態
主語承受動作的語態
the verb form or voice in which the subject is acted on instead of acting.
Our teacher asked us to change the sentence into the passive.
老師要我們把那個句子改成被動語態。
change [sentence] into the passive
The newspaper used the passive to hide who broke the window.
那家報紙用被動語態，不說是誰打破窗戶。
use the passive to hide the agent
The report uses the passive to sound more formal and distant.
這份報告用被動語態來讓語氣更正式、更疏離。
Many young writers overuse the passive in school essays.
很多年輕寫作者在學校作文裡會過度使用被動語態。
- passive voice
the full grammar term for this voice
- passive form
focuses on a particular verb form rather than the whole voice system
- active voice
voice where the subject performs the action
文法句型
the passive
change [sentence] into the passive
use the passive
用法筆記
Usually said as 'the passive'. Distinguish from adjective sense 1: 'passive' can describe a sentence or verb, but 'the passive' names the grammar form itself.