What happens if the doer is not mentioned in the sentence?
From NCERTAsked by Anonymous from Bordeaux, France23 Oct 2026, 11:10 PM ISTUpdated
In one line
If the doer (the person or thing doing the action) is not mentioned, the sentence is often in the passive voice or is missing a clear subject.
The rule
Every complete sentence should have a subject (the doer) and a verb (the action).
If the doer is not mentioned, the sentence may be in passive voice or incomplete.
Let's understand it simply
Imagine you are in the kitchen. Someone says, "The tea was made." You know tea is ready, but you don't know WHO made it. The person who did the action is missing. This is what happens when the doer is not mentioned in a sentence.
Active vs Passive (Doer mentioned or not)
Sentence
Doer mentioned?
Voice
Ravi ate the mango.
Yes
Active
The mango was eaten.
No
Passive
The bell rang.
Yes (the bell)
Active
Lunch was served.
No
Passive
How it works
In an active sentence, the doer comes before the verb: "Ravi kicked the ball."
In a passive sentence, the doer may not be mentioned: "The ball was kicked."
Sometimes, the doer is left out on purpose if it is not important or not known.
If there is no doer and no verb, the sentence is incomplete and does not make sense.
How to spot if the doer is missing
Look for the subject (who/what is doing the action)
If missing, check if the sentence is passive
If passive, see if the doer is needed for meaning
If not passive, the sentence may be incomplete
The story behind it
English sentences are usually built around the subject (doer) and verb. But sometimes, people want to focus on the action or the result, not the doer. This is why passive voice is used. It is common in news, instructions, or when the doer is not important.
Where you see it in real life
Newspapers: "A new bridge was built." (Who built it? Not mentioned)
School notice board: "The results will be announced tomorrow." (Who will announce? Not mentioned)
Kitchen: "Lunch is served." (Who served? Not mentioned)
Cricket commentary: "A six was hit." (Who hit? Not mentioned)
Why it matters
Helps you understand who is doing the action in a sentence.
Useful for writing reports, instructions, and news where the doer is not important.
Important for exams: You must know how to change active to passive voice and spot missing subjects.
Common mistakes
Thinking a sentence without a doer is always wrong. (It is okay in passive voice if the meaning is clear.)
Forgetting that every complete sentence needs a verb and usually a subject.
Mixing up passive and active voice.
Remember it
If you can't find the doer, check if the sentence is in passive voice or incomplete.
Check yourself
Is 'The homework was done' missing the doer? Why?
Yes, because it does not say who did the homework. It is in passive voice.
Change 'The teacher gave homework' to a sentence where the doer is not mentioned.
Homework was given.
Why do people sometimes leave out the doer in a sentence?
Because the doer is not important, not known, or the focus is on the action/result.
Quick recap
A sentence usually needs a doer (subject) and an action (verb).
If the doer is not mentioned, the sentence may be in passive voice.
Passive voice focuses on the action or result, not the doer.
Some sentences leave out the doer when it is not important or not known.
In exams, check if a sentence is missing a subject or is passive.
