The Passive Voice
The passive voice is used when we are interested in the action that was done and not (necessarily) in who did it.
The passive is more frequently used in English than in other languages, and is quite commonly used even in spoken English e.g.
"You have been warned!"
"It's been taken care of."
"It's being repaired."
It is also quite commonly seen on notices and in newspaper reports - although there is a strong movement to avoid using the passive where possible.
Common examples are:
Customers are kindly requested to use the baskets provided.
Trespassers will be prosecuted.
Two hundred people are reported to have been injured during the disturbances.
