passiveindefinite
Passiveindefinite is a term used in some linguistic descriptions to refer to a class of passive constructions in which the agent performing the action is not specified, unknown, or indefinite. In these clauses the semantic focus is on the patient or theme rather than on an identifiable agent, and the agent is either omitted or expressed by an indefinite expression such as someone, people, or one. The label is not universally standardized, and some grammars would simply analyze such sentences as ordinary passives with an unspecified agent or as impersonal passives; others treat passiveindefinite as a distinct subtype due to particular distribution or semantics.
In terms of realization, passiveindefinite can be realized through morphology (a passive affix or periphrastic construction)
Semantically, passiveindefinite emphasizes the patient or event rather than the doer. This is often used in
Relationship to other concepts: passiveindefinite overlaps with impersonal and agentless passives in many languages. It is
See also: passive voice, impersonal passive, agentless passive, indefiniteness.