英语中使用被动句的情况要比汉语多得多，特别是在科技文章中。这是因为科技文章所涉及的多为具体的事物、过程和现象，而不是掌握和控制它们的人。这样就没有必要说出动作的执行者，故多用被动句来表达。我们在汉译过程中要充分考虑汉语的表达习惯，应尽可能地将它们译成汉语的主动句，使读者感到自然、流畅，而不觉得生硬、别扭。我们一般可采用以下方法来翻译英语被动句。
1、译成汉语主动句
1）把英语被动句的主语作为宾语译成汉语主动句。例如：
You will be shown our workshop by the secretary．秘书将领你们去参观我们的车间。
The technological problem will be solved by them．他们会解决这个技术问题。
2）按照英语主、谓顺序译成汉语主动句。例如：
Our work has been finished．我们的工作已经结束。
All bolts and nuts will be thoroughly cleaned and wellcoated with lubricant．所有的螺母螺栓将要彻底清洗，并涂好润滑油。
3）将英语被动句中的主语和谓语合并译成句中一个词组。
Iron and steel are used in every industry．所有工业都要用钢铁。
Attention has been paid to the manufacturing of standard machine elements．已经注意制造标准化的机械零件。
4）在句中加译“人们”、“我们”、“有人”、“大家”等泛指性的主语，译成汉语主动句。特别是句中有由know， see，find，hear等动词构成的被动句时更是如此。
All kinds of measures are taken to prevent corrosion．人们采取各种措施来防止腐蚀。
The metal，iron in particular，is known to be an important material in engineering．大家知道，金属，特别是铁是工程的重要材料。
The engineer was seen repairing the motor．有人看见那个工程师在修理发动机。
2、译成汉语被动句
如果一个句子特别强调动作以及动作的承受者，这时一般用“被、通过、让、给、遭、为……所”等词译成汉语的被动句。例如：
The book has already been translated into many languages．这本书已经被译成多种语言。
The design for the reservoir will be made by a special group under the guidance of Professor Li．这个水库的设计将由李教授领导的一个专门小组制订。
The boy was hurt on his way home from school．这男孩在放学回家的路上受了伤。
3、译成无主句
为了避免出现汉语的被动句，在某些情况下，可以将英语的被动句译成汉语的无主句。
No work can be done without energy．没有能量，就不能做功。
The voltage is not controlled with this switch．不是用这个开关控制电压。
Anew oilfield has been opened up．已经开发了一座新油田。
请看下面文章中的被动句的翻译：
Is the United States a melting pot？In other words， have immigrants to the USA merged with the native American and ceased to be Germans，Japanese，Poles， Irish，etc．？It has been suggested that a“pot of stew” might be a more suitable word than“melting pot”，for in a stew the meat and vegetables keep their own characteristics，but thanks to the spices and the way it is cooked，the stew has a distinctive flavor of its own．
The implications of“melting pot”disturb American social workers and language teachers，many of whom feel that racial and national groups should be encouraged to preserve their customs，traditions and languages．At the same time it is aGREed that all Americans，whatever their origins，must learn to speak English clearly and fluently，and that they must learn to Adapt themselves to American way of life．
