Using intransitive verbs with passive voice

Question

I saw the definiton of apply on cambridge dictionary and I saw two example sentences under more exapmles section of the second definition that defines the verb as intransitive:

apply (definition) [I]: (especially of rules or laws) to have a connection or be important

(example 1) The legislation must be applied irrespective of someone's ethnic origins.
(example 2) It is intended that these guidelines should be applied flexibly and pragmatically.

I am a bit confused with the examples. Can we use intransitive verbs as passive?

Answer 1

No, you can't use intransitive verbs in passive voice. The object in active voice becomes the patient in passive voice: a patient is required to form a passive voice sentence, and an intransitive verb has no object.

I think that the Cambridge Dictionary has made a little mistake. The two examples that you quote actually relate to this meaning:

apply [T] to make use of something or use it for a practical purpose

Consider these sentences, using the two different meanings: it is clear that only the second meaning makes sense.

The legislation must be important irrespective of someone's ethnic origins.
It is intended that these guidelines should be important flexibly and pragmatically.

The legislation must be used irrespective of someone's ethnic origins.
It is intended that these guidelines should be used flexibly and pragmatically.