Active/Passive Voice

Lesson 3: Active/Passive Voice.||
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Verbs are said to be either active or passive. In the active voice, the subject-verb-object relationship is straightforward: the subject is the be-er or the do-er, and the verb expresses meaning emphatically and vigorously (I sent the letter yesterday). In the passive voice, the subject of the sentence is neither a do-er or a be-er, but is acted upon by some other agent or by something unnamed (the letter was sent yesterday). The passive voice always involves the verb "to be" and the subject and object are inverted.

We should default to writing sentences in the active voice unless we have a reason for not doing so. language research supports the idea that active sentences have shorter processing times in the brain, and are therefore understood more quickly.



Reasons to use the active voice:

1. The active voice is shorter and more direct:
Active: The server dropped the tray of drinks.
Passive: The tray was dropped by the server.

2. The active is less awkward and clearly states relationships between subject and action:
Active: The appeal committee denied your request for a grade change.
Passive: Your request for a grade change has been denied by the appeal committee.

3. The active voice sentence pattern propels the reader forward through your writing thus avoiding weak prose:
Passive: Research that was done by Layton and Simpson on verb voice showed that active voice was easier to read and understand.
Direct: Layton and Simpson did research on verb voice and showed that active voice was easier to read and to understand.



Reasons to use the passive voice:

1. The actor(doer) of the action is unimportant.
The building was built in the late 1960's.

2. The actor is unknown,
Several break-ins were performed last night.

3. The actor is common knowledge, and mentioning it would be redundant.
Paul Martin was elected in 2004.

4. The writer wants to control the emphasis of the sentence so as to be less direct or offensive.
Your bill has not been paid.(instead of). You haven't paid your bill.

5. The writer wants to emphasize the role of the party receiving the action:
Poor Linda was mauled by the bear.





EXAMPLES:

1. The report was written by our group. Passive not OK - Correction: Our group wrote the report.

2. The site for the new movie complex was decided yesterday. Passive OK: Reason: The actor of the action is unimportant

3. The order was shipped last week by Bridge Systems. Passive not OK - Correction: Bridge Systems shipped the order last week.

4. Kevin’s article was published last week. Passive OK – Reason: doer of action is unimportant.

5. Cheques were written on his account with insufficient funds. Passive OK - Reason: to make less direct or offensive.

6. Mel Gibson was arrested by Los Angeles police for assault with a deadly mouth. Passive OK – Reason: emphasizes party receiving action.