22 Verbs Not Used in the Passive
The Passive Form expresses the idea of something or someone receiving an action or experiencing a particular event or effect. {see Passive Structure, B1 level}
The verbs that can’t be made passive are called Intransitive Verbs. Moreover, other verbs that are Transitive Verbs sometimes cannot be made passive.
Intransitive Verbs can’t be formed in passive structure. You can see some rules regarding Intransitive Verbs:
- An Intransitive Verb doesn’t take an object;
- A sentence with Intransitive Verb shows us that the subject does the act by itself;
- There is no direct object for the verb in this structure.
Besides Intransitive Verbs there are some certain state verbs that cannot be made passive. For example: Lack, have, belong etc.
- I was running because I had to deliver the message by hand.
- Private letter from government has arrived.
- Babies were crying because they were feeling cold.
Those verbs which cannot be made passive are called Intransitive Verbs.