漢語中的被動句不佔優勢。英文中大部分的被動句都可以譯為漢語的主動句，只有在強調被動意義時才使用被動句。但是在漢語的主動句中，有的在邏輯上是被動句，如："文章寫完了"。在這樣的句子中，主語不是謂語的動作施行者，而是承受者。漢譯時應該靈活採取相應的形式。此外，漢語本身特有一些表示被動的語言手段可以加以利用。為了使譯文符合漢語習慣，翻譯被動句時，常常可以用以下幾種方法：
(1)被動句的主語仍譯為主動句的主語。
The car was severely damaged beyond any means of repair while the driver was safe and sound.
譯文：汽車損壞嚴重，已無法修理，而駕車者卻安然無恙。
The discovery is highly appreciated in the circle of science.
譯文：此項發現得到科學界的高度評價。(或：科學界對此項發現給予高度評價。)
(2)將被動句譯成主動句，有時外加泛指人稱代詞"人們"，"有人"，"大家"，"我們"做主語。
Rubber is found to be a good isolating material.
譯文：人們發現，橡膠是一種良好的絕緣材料。
The area has been marked out for building more hotels.
譯文：人們劃出這塊地區用於建造更多的旅店。
(3)把by 後動作的執行者做主語，英文原句中的主語做賓語。
The result of the invention of the steam engine was that human power was replaced by mechanical power.
譯文：蒸汽機發明的結果是機械力代替了人力。
What measures have been or are being adopted by the government to reduce air pollution?
譯文：政府已經採取或正在採取哪些措施去降低空氣的汙染程度呢?
(4)譯成漢語中的無主句。
若根據上下文或特定情景，對行為主體一目了然，或者出於禮貌和婉轉起見，可以採用這種譯法。
The amount of carbon monoxide that an engine gives off can be reduced by special devices designed to make the engine burn the fuel more efficiently.
譯文：使發動機更有效地燃燒燃料而設計的特殊裝置可以降低發動機一氧化碳的排放量。
Additional International Standards may be added to the series in the future.
譯文：將來還可能對本系列標準增加若干項國際標準。
(5)改譯成漢語的判斷句，即帶表語的主動句。
常見的被動式句型譯法：
It cannot be denied that...不可否認
It has been illustrated that...據說明;據圖示;圖中表示
It has been proved that...已經證明
It is(usually) considered that...據(通常)估計;人們(通常)認為
It is assumed that...假定
It is believed that...大家相信
It is alleged that...據稱
It is demonstrated that...已經證明，文中(圖中)表明
It is estimated that...據估計
It is expected that...人們希望
It is found that...據發現;人們認為
It is generally agreed/recognized that...人們通常認為/承認
It is hoped/still to be hoped that...(我們)希望/仍希望
It is mentioned that...據說
It is noticed /noted that...人們注意到/前面已經指出
It is proposed that...有人提議(指出)
It is recommended that...有人推薦
It is regarded that...人們認為
It is reported that...據報導
It is said that...據說
It is stressed that...人們強調說
It is supposed that...據推測;假定
It is thought that...有人認為
It is universally accepted that...普遍認為
It is well known that...眾所周知
It must be admitted that...必須承認
It should be pointed out that...必須指出
It will be seen from it that...由此可見
如"是由…"、"是因…"、"是在…"等等。被動語態是表示一種狀態時可以譯成漢語的判斷句型。
My first forty years were spent in Southern Europe.
譯文：我的前四十年在南歐度過。
These machines are operated by a worker only.
譯文：這些機器只由一名工人操縱。
(6)譯成正常的被動句，以突出被動意義。
這不僅包括被字句，還包括漢語特有的表示被動的手段，如"受、被、叫、挨、讓、給、遭、由、為、為…所…、把、加以、使"等等都可以表示被動意義。
In industry, natural materials difficult to get are often replaced by plastics.
譯文：在工業中，不易獲得的天然材料常常被塑料代替。
Over the years, tools and technology themselves as a source of fundamental innovation have largely been ignored by historians and philosophers of science.
譯文：工具和技術本身作為根本性創新的源泉，多年來在很大程度上被歷史學家和科學的思想家忽視了。
Problems should be resolved in good time.
譯文：問題應該及時加以解決。
The Apollo Ⅻ crew reported that their spaceship was being followed by two UFOs.
譯文：阿波羅十二號的太空人曾報告說，它們的宇宙飛船正遭到兩個不明飛行物的跟蹤。(用"遭到")
For separating iron from the impurities the iron ore must be melted.
譯文：為了使鐵跟雜質分離，鐵礦石必須經過冶煉。