1. take place等能用于被動語態嗎
Great changes ______ in China since 1978.
A. have taken place B. took placeC. have beentaken place D. were taken place
此題應選A。首先要排除C, D, 因為take place(發生)是不及物動詞, 所以不能用被動語態；另一方面, 因為句子中的since 1978, 所以句子宜用現在完成時A。
大家知道, 不及物動詞沒有被動語態(因為不及物動詞沒有賓語，轉換成被動語態便沒有主語)。但這里要注意的是：由于受漢語的影響，有些不及物動詞很容易被考生誤認為是及物動詞，從而誤用被動語態。這類易用錯的動詞主要的有take place 發生 / happen 發生 / come about 發生 / breakout 爆發 / appear出現 / disappear 消失 / last 持續 等)。
他出什么事了?
誤：What was [is] happened to him?
正：What has happened to him?
每四年舉行一次選舉。
誤：Elections are taken place every four years.
正：Elections take place every four years.
我不知道這事是怎么發生的。
誤：I don’t know how this thing was come about.
正：I don’t know how this thing came about.
夜里起了一起火災。
誤：A fire was broken out during the night.
正：A fire broke out during the night.
2. 通常不用于被動語態的靜態動詞
那里的人缺乏食物。
1. People there lack food. (正)
2. Food is lacked by people there. (誤)
從形式上看, 句2是句1的相應的被動形式，既然句1為正句，那么句2從理論上說應該是成立的。而事實上句2卻是個錯句。
在英語中，并不是所有的及物動詞都可以用于被動語態的, 有些動詞(尤其是那些靜態動詞)盡管它們可以帶賓語, 但卻不用于被動語態, 這種動詞考生容易弄錯, 其中主要的有：have, lack, fit, suit, cost, let, like等：
他有一臺電腦。
正：He has a computer.
誤：A computer is had by him.
他當時正在洗澡。
正：He was taking a bath.
誤：A bath was being had by him.
我的鞋不適合。
正：My shoes don’t fit me.
誤：I am not fitted by my shoes.
這架鋼琴花了她6000美元。
正：The piano cost her 6000 dollars.
誤：She was cost her 6000 dollars.
誤：6000 dollars was cost her.
這件衣服他穿很合適。
正：The coat suits him very well.
誤：He is well suited by the coat.
3. 容易出錯的被動語態時態
—Have you moved into the new house?
—Not yet. The rooms ______.
A. are being painted B. are painting C. are paintedD. are being painting
此題選A。從句意上看, 此題應選被動式(這是顯然的), 同時注意：被動語態要用現在進行時形式(這點容易忽視)。
在做動詞的語態題時, 同時要注意其時態形式：
You are wanted on the phone. 有人給你打電話。(一般現在時)
When was the building completed? 這座大樓什么時候建成?(一般過去時)
You won’t be allowed to take so much luggagewith you. 不會準你帶這么多行李。(一般將來時)
A new railway is now being built. 一條新鐵路正在修建。(現在進行時)
The roads were being widened. 道路當時正在加寬。(過去進行時)
Such a thing has never been heard of before. 這種事以前從未聽說過。(現在完成時)
有時被動式動詞可與情態動詞連用：
The work must be finished at once. 這工作必須馬上完成。
The method can still be improved upon. 這方法還可以改進。
My umbrella may have been left on the train. 我的傘可能忘在火車上了。
