“人们”、“有人”、“大家”、“我们”等和具有“据...”之类的句子，译成英语时多半用被动语态。例如：

1) 大家都知道，氢是最轻的元素。

Hydrogen is known to be the lightest element.

2)人们发现，自然界有许多元素都是由各种不同的同位素混合组成的。

Many elements in nature are found to be mixtures of different isolopes.

3) 有人看见他们在修理机器。

They were seen repairing the machine.

4) 我们估计，一匹普通马的功率等于550英尺-磅/秒。

It was estimated that the power of an average horse is equal to 550 foot-pounds per second,

5)据说，核电站正在筹建中。

Nuclear power plants are said to be under preparation for construction.

6) 应该说，情况基本上是健康的。

It should be said that the situation is basically sound.

这类习惯用语及其常见译法还可以举出很多例子，如：

1) 人们（有人、大家）认为…

It is considered (or thought) that …

2) 大家知道（有人说，众所周知）…

It is well-known that…

3) 普遍（一般，通常）认为…

It is generally (usually) accepted (or agreed, recognized) that …