What is the correct definition of passive voice?

The correct definition of passive voice is when the subject of the sentence receives the action rather than performing it. In passive voice constructions, the focus is placed on the action itself and the recipient of the action, often expressed through a form of the verb "to be" followed by the past participle of the main verb. For example, in the sentence "The book was read by the teacher," the subject "the book" is receiving the action of being read, highlighting the book instead of the teacher who performs the action.

In passive voice, the performer of the action can sometimes be omitted from the sentence, making the construction particularly useful in situations where the actor is unknown or less important. This contrasts with the other options, which attempt to describe different grammatical moods or forms but do not accurately capture the essence of passive voice.