Abstract: Based on Halliday’s theory of discourse functions, this paper investigates six textual functions of English passive voice through analysis of the passive example sentences and through comparison with those of the active voice. The paper holds that the textual functions of passive voice are connected with each other and play an important role in textual cohesion and coherence. Therefore, an adequate knowledge of the use of passive voice will enable the readers to have a better understanding of the texts.

Key words: passive voice, textual, textual function

摘要：基于韩礼德的语篇功能的理论，本文通过收集被动语态的例句并与相对应的主动语态作比较，着重研究被动语态的六个语篇功能。指出这六个功能共同作用形成了一个有效而衔接连贯的有机整体。因此，正确掌握被动语态的使用对于读者更好地理解语篇的结构有着重要的作用。

关键词：语态，被动语态，语篇，语篇功能，被动语态的语篇功能