例3 如果原子失去一个或多个电子，我们就说这个原子带正电荷。
译文：If one or more electrons are removed，the atom is said/believed/thought to be positively charged.
简评：这句话是一个条件从句。即：在原子失去一个或多个电子的情况下，这个电子带正电荷。"我们就说这个原子带正电荷"可理解为"这个原子被认为/ 被确信/ 被说成是带正电荷"。那么根据前面所说的原则，我们在翻译时可以将泛指性主语"我们"省略不译，并使用被动语态。
从这个例子里我们还可以看出，在科技文章中，根据英语表达习惯我们应当多采用被动语态，以强调事物的客观性。
例4 人们采用各种措施来防止腐蚀。
译文：All kinds of measures are taken to prevent corrosion.
简评：这句话可以按原文译成主动态，即：People have taken all kinds of measures to prevent corrosion。也可以用被动语态来翻译--All kinds of measures are taken to prevent corrosion。两者比较而言，被动态译文更突出表明所有、种种措施已经付诸实施，all kinds of measures得到强调，而主动态译法只是平铺直叙，重点不突出。
此外，汉语句子中有"据说"、"据了解"、"据报道"、"据估计"、"据传言"等词语时，可以酌情译成相应的英语被动句，如：It is supposed that(据推测......)，It is said that(据说......)，It is estimated that(据估计......)，It is calculated that(预计......)，It is reported that(据报道......)，It is suggested that(有人建议)，It is stressed that(有人强调......)，It is thought that(有人认为......)，It is considered that(有人认为......)，It is expected that(据期望......)，It is well known that(众所周知......)，It must be admitted that(必须承认......)，It must be pointed out that(必须指出......)，It is understood that(谁都知道......)，It may be safety said that(可以有把握地说......)等。
例5 据了解，这个地区有丰富的自然资源。
译文：The area is known to be rich in natural resources.
例6 众所周知，自然光其实是由许多种颜色构成。
译文：It is well known that natural light is actually made up of many colors.
Exercise Ten
1. A dog has won a German government award ________________ (因协助警方劝阻一名妇女自杀).
2. The manager points out _______________ (我们的工作进展令人满意).
3. _________________ (这栋房子需要现代化)：it has no bathroom or electricity.
4. ________________(飞机什么时候起飞)has not been announced.
5. His idea is ________________(应该立即执行计划).