Passive

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The passive is a voice-form of the verb which enables the subject to be eliminated or moved to a peripheral position in the sentence:

the policeman caught the burglar — active
the burglar was caught [by the policeman] — passive

Many languages do not allow the agent to be retained, as in this English example.

A transitive verb becomes intransitive in the passive, while (in those languages which permit it) an intransitive verb becomes impersonal: Latin active pugnaverunt they fought, passive pugnatus est there was fighting.

Translations

  • Portuguese: (voz) passiva f
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