有人问到这样一句话：

(1)This is an activity worthy of support.

support为什么不改用被动语态being supported?

英语里有许多动作名词（action nouns)不仅有主动意义，而且有被动意义。上述句（1）中的support即是其中之一。它可意为supporting,如：

(2)This was one of the letters of support she'd received when she was hurt in the accident.

亦可意为being supported,如上述句（1）。再试比较：

(3)We had a long discussion about the question.

（discussion=讨论）

(4)The question is still under discussion.

（discussion=被讨论）

(5)Allied commanders and their staffs worked out detailed plans for the Japanese invasion.

（the Japanese invasion=日本的被攻入）

(6)The Japanese had rounded up high-school boys to fight our invasion. （our invasion=我们的攻入）

有些表状态的动词亦有主动、被动之分，试比较：

(7)Her love for him never wavered. （在此love=爱）

(8)Children need love and understanding.（在此love=被爱）