7.69 use of the passive

As explained in paragraph 7.65, when you want to avoid mentioning the person who said something, you can use a reporting verb in the passive.

• It was said that some of them had become insane.
• He was said to be the oldest man in the firm.

If you want to avoid mentioning the person giving an order or giving advice, you use a passive reporting verb with the person who receives the order or advice as subject.

• Harriet was ordered to keep away from my room.