Why can intransitive and atransitive constructions not be passivized?

Intransitive and atransitive constructions cannot be passivized because there is no direct object in the sentence to become the subject of the passive construction. In passive voice, the subject of the active sentence becomes the object of the passive sentence. Since intransitive and atransitive constructions do not have a direct object, there is no entity to become the subject of the passive construction. Therefore, passivizing these types of constructions is not possible.

Intransitive constructions

- contain only one argument (the subject)
- do not have a direct object
- cannot be passivized (e.g., "The boy sleeps" cannot be passivized to "-Sleeps the boy.")

Atransitive constructions

- do not have an external argument (subject or object)
- express states, events, or processes that do not involve an agent
- cannot be passivized (e.g., "It rained" cannot be passivized to "-Rained it.")

Reason for non-passivization

Passivization requires a verb that takes a direct object (transitive verb). In both intransitive and atransitive constructions, there is no direct object, so they cannot be passivized.

Examples:

- Intransitive: "The students arrived." (no direct object)
- Atransitive: "The party was loud." (no subject or object)

Additional notes:

- Some verbs can be both transitive and intransitive, but only the transitive form can be passivized.
- Some atransitive constructions can be converted into transitive constructions by adding an object (e.g., "It rained" can become "It rained water"). However, this conversion changes the meaning of the construction and makes it passivizable.