The most frequent type of a passive construction is that with a stem affix. Less frequent morphological expression types are auxiliary verbs, particles, extra-inflectional affixes, differential subject person markers, alternate stem affixes, sound replacement, infixes, circumfixes.
Standardized
IF there is a passive construction, THEN most commonly it will be expressed with a stem affix.
Keywords
diathesis, voice
Domain
inflection, syntax
Type
no genuine implication; rather: provided that
Status
achronic
Quality
statistical
Basis
79 languages from the GRAMCATS database, see Haspelmath 1990: 71-72
1. “Stem affix” means that the affix is attached directly to the verb stem, inside aspect, tense, and person markers.2. See also ##416, 417.3. Haspelmath: 1990: 27: a construction is called passive if: (i) the active subject corresponds either to a non-obligatory oblique phrase or to nothing; and (ii) the active direct object (if any) corresponds to the subject of the passive; and (iii) the construction is somehow restricted vis-à-vis another unrestricted construction (the active), e.g. less frequent, functionally specialized, not fully productive.
1. “Stem affix” means that the affix is attached directly to the verb stem, inside aspect, tense, and person markers.2. See also ##416, 417.3. Haspelmath: 1990: 27: a construction is called passive if: (i) the active subject corresponds either to a non-obligatory oblique phrase or to nothing; and (ii) the active direct object (if any) corresponds to the subject of the passive; and (iii) the construction is somehow restricted vis-à-vis another unrestricted construction (the active), e.g. less frequent, functionally specialized, not fully productive.