AGENTLESS PASSIVE

Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language | 1998 | 468 words | Copyright

AGENTLESS PASSIVE. A common type of PASSIVE construction in English, in which the role of the AGENT is not represented, as in Michael was mugged on his way home. Here, such a by-phrase as by some louts, the agents of the mugging, has been omitted. The agentless passive is common in formal reports: Although insufficient funds had been allocated, the decision was taken to continue for another six months in the hope that more money would be made available. See VOICE.

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TOM McARTHUR. "AGENTLESS PASSIVE." Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

TOM McARTHUR. "AGENTLESS PASSIVE." Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O29-AGENTLESSPASSIVE.html

TOM McARTHUR. "AGENTLESS PASSIVE." Concise Oxford Companion to the English Language. 1998. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O29-AGENTLESSPASSIVE.html

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