subject in the passive voice. The verb in the passive voice is always
composed of the form of auxiliary 'be' + past participle of the main
verb.
If we want to say who does or what causes the action, we use 'by +
agent' ... eg: Geetanjali was written by Tagore.
The subject is either left out or mentioned as a mere agent of the
action i.e., who or what causes the action is often unknown or
unimportant.
eg: The travellers were robbed. (Somebody robbed but we don't know who).
When do we use the passive voice?
The passive voice is generally used ...
a) ... in scientific descriptions:
eg: i) The test tube is heated on the Bunsen burner.
ii) Salt is dissolved in water.
b) .... in newspaper reports:
eg: i) Mr. Obama was given a warm reception in Delhi.
ii) Law and order was restored. (Law and order not plural).
c) .... in announcements:
eg: i) The exams are postponed to next week.
ii) The meeting will be held tomorrow.
Usually, only a transitive verb (the verb with an object after it) has
active and passive forms. Intransitive verbs do not have passive
forms. So a sentence with an intransitive verb cannot be changed into
passive voice.
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