being increased 被增长

When an ordinarily active verb is deliberately¹ twisted into passive form, it often implies the helplessness of the person in controlling his own fate. College graduates can "be" job hunted, ordinary people's opinions can also "be" represented.

如果一个主动动词被故意用在了被动形式的句子里，那么通常就是在暗示当事人无法掌控自己命运的无助感。大学毕业生可以“被就业”，普通民众的意见也可以“被代表”。

来看一个“被增长”的例句：

According to official statistics, our average income increased 5% in 2009. Many people think that is not true and that their income actually “was” increased.

据官方数据显示，我们去年的平均收入增长了5％。很多人认为这个数据不属实，认为他们的收入其实是“被”增长了。