Do you say :

1.You should see a doctor.

or : 2. A doctor should see you , or

3.You should be seen by a doctor ?

People use (1) of course.

(2) and (3) are odd enough to be used, so in English, sometimes the Active Form also expresses a Passive meaning.

The following verbs are active in form but passive in sense :

The stone feels rough. (is rough when it is felt)

Honey tastes sweet.(is sweet when it is tasted.)

The milk smells sour.(is sour when it is smelt)

Your blame counts for nothing.( Your blame is worth for nothing when it í counted)

Your composition reads well.(sounds well when it is read.)That cloth will wear thin.(will become thin when it is worn)

The house is building (=is in the state of being built)

The trumpets are sounding.(=are being sounded.)

The cannons are firing.(=are being fired.)

The drums are beating.(=are been beaten)

The house is finishing.(=is being finished)

The book is printing.(=is being printed)

The cows are milking.(=are being milked)

J.C.NESFIELD.MD author of English Grammar Past and Present.

London.Macmillan&Co Lmt