Are you a verbal couch potato?
Okay, I'll admit it. I Am.
When you speak, do people look at you and say, "Huh?"
You mean it's not because of the way I dress?
Wouldn't you like your writing to be more interesting?
Sure I would, but I don't know how.
Why not try using a different voice?
Higher or lower? I can talk like Myron Cope!
That's not exactly what we mean. Take a look at these pairs of sentences:
The report was read by Betty.
Betty read the report.
A decision was made to stop the project
We decided to stop the project.
A passive voice should be avoided.
Avoid the passive voice.
The second. But I don't know why.
In general, the active voice (represented by the second sentence in each pair) is preferable to the passive voice (represented by the first sentence in each pair) because the active voice tends to be simpler, clearer, and more direct. The active voice also makes for more forceful and interesting writing. Avoid the passive. Favor the active.
Students are often mystified when teachers tell them that they write too much in the passive voice. What does this mean? When a teacher refers to a "voice" in a sentence, it has to do with the verb placement in the sentence. More specifically, a passive voice sentence either puts the action (the verb) first and the actor (the subject) second, or leaves the actor out altogether, making it hard for a reader to understand who is doing what to whom. Basically, if you use the passive voice, it means that you are structuring your sentence so that the subject is being acted upon instead of acting.
For example: PASSIVE: Herman's space was being invaded.
ACTIVE: The big bully invaded Herman's space.
The action is "invading Herman's space," but who is performing the action? The passive voice sentence does not tell us who or what is invading his space, so what is happening is not clear to the reader. Notice the difference in the active voice version when you identify the actor and re-order actor and action to state directly who is doing what.
I almost had it, but that last sentence…ugh!
If the concept is still a little unclear, try this: to avoid the passive voice, eliminate all forms of the verb "be."
You mean am, is, are, was, were, being, and been?
That's right!
But those are some of my favorite verbs!
Look at this sentence: A path of destruction was left by the twister.
If we get rid of the form of "be" (was) and rearrange the sentence, we'll get a much stronger sentence.
Hmm…Okay! The twister left a path of destruction. That is a stronger sentence. But…we have a word left over. By.
That must be a byproduct.
What's that?
A bad pun. Let's move on.
In addition to being unclear, the passive voice often makes your sentences wordy and dull:
PASSIVE: It is believed by the president that the changing of the by-laws should be placed on the agenda.
ACTIVE: The president believes that the secretary must place the by-laws changes on the agenda.
PASSIVE: We were cheered by the news that the faculty meeting was cancelled by the winter storm.
ACTIVE: We were cheered by the news that the storm cancelled the faculty meeting.
Try to write in clear, active voice sentences in which you identify an actor performing an action. This will make your writing vigorous and concise.
NOTE: As with everything in English, there are exceptions. You can use the passive voice effectively in three cases:
1. when the actor is unknown or unimportant
Every year millions of people are led to believe they will win sweepstakes.
2. when you want to draw attention to the person, place, or thing being acted upon
John Kennedy, Martin Luther King, and Robert Kennedy were all assassinated in the same decade.
when you deliberately want to divert attention from the person or agent responsible for the action.
instead of
I misplaced the memo.
3. in writing which requires an impersonal voice, such as scientific writing, which often describes procedures-- and not the individual who carries them out.
The beakers must be filled with the chemical solutions and monitored for three-hour intervals.
NOTE: The instances in which you use the passive voice are infrequent; use the active voice unless you consciously decide the passive voice is the most appropriate.
And now for the written exercises…
You always have to spoil the fun, don't you?
Yes. In Exercise 1, each of the following sentences is written in the passive voice.
Read each carefully and decide which should be in the passive voice.
On a separate sheet of paper, rewrite the sentences that you decide would be better in the active voice.
1. The criminal was brought to justice thirteen months after he committed the unforgivable crime.
2. The passionate politician was cheered by the delegates.
3. The trees were covered in ice.
4. In January 1991, the Iraqis were attacked by the Americans.
5. She was driven to distraction by her neighbors who ran a pizza business from their apartment.
6. Since I last saw my chiropractor, my back exercises have been done twice a day.
7. Saratoga Springs, New York, has been called the gateway to the Adirondacks.
8. The same day we got our puppy, Sputnik was sent into space by the Russians.
9. As Dad walked down the stairs, a pain in his right knee was felt.
10. Guber made a spectacular play, but his shot that would have won him the game was blocked.
11. Research papers are written by millions of college students.
Exercise 2
The following sentences are written in the passive voice.
Rewrite them in the active voice.
1. James was chosen by Kathy to be her assistant.
2. This awful mess was made by your friends.
3. Everyone in need is helped by Michael.
4. You will be made well by this medicine.
5. Many inventions were created by Edison.
6. The article was written by my friend.
7. Many fine sites are hosted by Software Workshop.
8. Claudia was enraged by Richard's sarcastic comments.
9. John was kissed by Barbara.
10. The Victorian Era was characterized by materialism and prudery.
11. The window was punctured by hail.
12. Swift's satire was discussed by the class.
13. Students names were written on their papers.
Return to Second Quarter Lessons Page.
