Eating is not allowed. Passive voice?

[elizpatel]

Hi,

I am confused...are the sentences "Eating is not allowed in class" or "Smoking is not permitted" in the passive voice?

Thanks!

[kiranlegend]

I am not a teacher.

Yes, I believe that they both are in passive voice. Even though the agents of the actions were not mentioned, they are by default the organizations or govt who kept those rules. I hope I am correct.. :)

[abaka]

Hi,

I am confused...are the sentences "Eating is not allowed in class" or "Smoking is not permitted" in the passive voice?

Thanks!

You could consider "is permitted" as passive voice, or "permitted" as a (verbal) adjective. Since the agent is omitted, perhaps it's better to parse "permitted" as an adjective, especially since there is no action in these sentences, just state. In "smoking was banned yesterday by city council", or "John was permitted to leave the class because of his family emergency", there is a clear action, and so that would be a passive voice.