2.07 Active vs. passive voice

Why Use Active Voice?

In general, active voice is more direct and engaging than passive voice. Sentences in active voice are typically shorter and clearer, and they put emphasis on the subject and the action. 

Active voice is the voice used to indicate that the subject of the sentence is performing the action or causing the action.

Active voice is preferred in most cases because it is direct and concise.

Sentences in passive voice can be wordier and less immediate, and they often shift the emphasis away from the subject and the action. It is generally recommended to use active voice in most forms of writing, unless there is a specific reason to use passive voice.

Active voice is the equivalent of watching Lebron James.

Passive voice is the equivalent of watching corn grow.

Active voice creates interest.

Passive voice creates boredom

When is Passive Voice Acceptable?

There are a few reasons why a writer might choose to use passive voice in their writing. One reason is to de-emphasize the subject or the action of the sentence. For example, if the writer wants to draw attention to the object or the result of the action, rather than the subject or the action itself, they might use passive voice. For example, "The cat was chased by the dog" puts the emphasis on the cat and the fact that it was chased, rather than on the dog and the act of chasing.

• When intentionally hiding the subject of the sentence. For example, a politician might say, “Mistakes were made.”

• When intentionally trying to minimize the guilt of the subject. For example, a cheating husband might respond, “Adultery was committed by me.”

• When passive voice better emphasizes the main point of the passage. For example, Children were harmed by unlicensed bus drivers.

• If the subject receives the action or is not doing the action, the voice is passive.

• Passive voice is usually wordier.

Another reason to use passive voice is to avoid using personal pronouns or to avoid assigning blame or responsibility. For example, if the writer wants to make a statement without specifying who performed the action, they might use passive voice. For example, "Mistakes were made" avoids assigning blame or responsibility for the mistakes, whereas "I made mistakes" or "You made mistakes" would assign blame to a specific person.

Writing in E-Prime

Finally, passive voice contains a lot of to be verbs. 

E-Prime is a restricted form of English in which the writer omits all to be verbs as a way to strengthen the writing. 

Example: Tony is afraid of Semantics quizzes. 

E-Prime: Tony fears Semantics quizzes. 

On a separate note, E-Prime also requires the omission of contractions. 

Bad Example: Billy is alarmed by the proximity of the shark.

Good Example: Billy motors away from the shark.

2. Eliminate the be verb by writing one or more showing sentence.

Bad Example: Alligators are mean.

Good Example: The alligator, angry at being disturbed, lurched forward and swallowed the boy’s cat. Unsatisfied, the grouchy gator swam circles around the screaming toddler, showing  the kitten’s severed head.

3.  Combine sentences to eliminate the be verb.

Bad Example: The inefficient time manager is unfulfilled. He heads to bed, disappointed, despite having finished his to do list.

Good Example: The inefficient time manager heads to bed, unfulfilled, having checked everything off on his unprioritized to do list.

4. Eliminate the entire sentence if its omission does not change the meaning of the passage.

5. Leave the “be” verb if changing it alters the meaning,diminishes the passage, or makes the structure unworkable. 

2.07 Assessment 

Rewrite the following seven sentences in the active voice. Submit your seven sentences, written in the active voice, in the student comments box for assessment 2.07.