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。及物動詞既可能是主動的，又可能是被動的。如果是主語發出的動作，謂語應用主語語態;反之，如果主語是動作施加的對象，謂語則應用被動語態。但事實上，人們更偏愛主動語態，因為它顯得突出而直截了當。若謂語采用較弱的被動語態，行為者往往被隱去大名，或顯得好像并不重要。然而，當不知道行為者是誰，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了。
Weak Passive: He’ll need to be looked after.
Strong Active: He’ll need looking after.

Weak Passive: You’re going to be covered favorably by the press.
Strong Active: You’re going to get fabulous press.

Weak Passive: Do you remember when Nelson Mandela of South Africa was freed?
Strong Active: Do you remember when Nelson Mandela of South Africa walked free?

Weak Passive: Rumors of a broader deal between DailmerChrysler and Nissan Motor Co. have been spread far and wide.
Strong Active: Rumors of a broader deal between DailmerChrysler and Nissan Motor Co. have gained currency.

Weak Passive: His language was too bad to be repeated.
Strong Active: His language wouldn’t bear repeating.

Weak Passive: My shoes need to be mended.
Strong Active: My shoes want mending.

Weak Passive: Honey was gathered by the bee as it flitted from flower to flower.
Strong Active: The bee, flitting from flower to flower, gathered honey.

Weak Passive: What awaits him when a door is opened by him is known by no man. Surprises may be harbored in even the most familiar room.
Strong Active: No man knows what awaits him when he opens a door; Even the most familiar room may harbor surprises.

Weak Passive: The great challenge of this Conference is to give voice to women everywhere whose experiences are not noticed and whose words are not heard by the rest of the world.
Strong Active: The great challenge of this Conference is to give voice to women everywhere whose experiences go unnoticed and whose words go unheard.

Weak Passive: This project has been benefited from many outstanding contributors who have worked with exceptional care and devotion.
Strong Active: This project has the benefit of many outstanding 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，則采用被動語態則更為有力。(目的在于強調行為的承受者或忽略動作的實施者)
Good Passive: All the buildings were destroyed during the bombing
(強調動作的承受者)
Good Passive:I resent being spoken to so rudely.
(說話者對此行為十分反感，并不針對某個人)
Good Passive:Any person who attempts to escape will be shot.
(旨在強調)
Good Passive:Apples are grown in Michigan, so are blueberries.
(突出水果)
Good Passive:Much has been written and much has been said, but nothing has been done.
(雖然未出現動作的發出者，但被動語態更可取)
Good Passive:Scott Fitzgerald had written that his contemporaries grew up "to find all Gods dead, all wars fought, all faiths in man shaken."