Active vs. Passive VoiceActive vs. Passive Voice

CompositionComposition

DefinitionDefinition

Writers use active voice to keep writing Writers use active voice to keep writing direct, dynamic, tighter, and less awkward.direct, dynamic, tighter, and less awkward.

Active voiceActive voice uses action verbs. uses action verbs. Passive voicePassive voice uses linking verbs. uses linking verbs.

Forms of BeForms of Be: : is, am, are, was, were, be, been, beingis, am, are, was, were, be, been, being

Overuse of passive voice makes writing Overuse of passive voice makes writing flat and uninteresting.flat and uninteresting.

Limit: 2-3 linking verbs per paragraph.Limit: 2-3 linking verbs per paragraph.

Active VoiceActive Voice

In sentences written in active voice, the subject In sentences written in active voice, the subject performs the action expressed in the verb; the performs the action expressed in the verb; the subject acts.subject acts.

The dog The dog bitbit the boy. the boy.

P.J. P.J. will presentwill present her research at the conference. her research at the conference.

The scientists The scientists conductedconducted research. research.

Passive VoicePassive Voice In sentences written in passive voice, the In sentences written in passive voice, the

subject receives the action expressed in the subject receives the action expressed in the verb; the subject is acted upon. verb; the subject is acted upon.

The agent performing the action may appear in a The agent performing the action may appear in a "by the . . ." phrase or may be omitted."by the . . ." phrase or may be omitted.

The boy The boy was bittenwas bitten by the dog. by the dog.

Research Research will be presentedwill be presented by P.J. by P.J.

Experiments Experiments have been conductedhave been conducted..

Why choose active voice?Why choose active voice?

Active voice is preferable to passive for Active voice is preferable to passive for the majority of your sentences. the majority of your sentences.

Sentences in active voice are generally--Sentences in active voice are generally--though not always-- clearer and more though not always-- clearer and more direct than those in passive voice.direct than those in passive voice. PassivePassive: The entrance exam was failed by : The entrance exam was failed by

over one-third of the applicants.over one-third of the applicants. ActiveActive: Over one-third of the applicants failed : Over one-third of the applicants failed

the entrance exam.the entrance exam.

Changing Passive to Active VoiceChanging Passive to Active Voice

If you want to change a passive-voice sentence to If you want to change a passive-voice sentence to active voice:active voice:

1.1. Find what could be turned into an action verb in Find what could be turned into an action verb in the sentence. Then ask who or what is the sentence. Then ask who or what is performing the action and make that the performing the action and make that the subject.subject.

- OR -- OR -1.1. Find the subject of the sentence. If it is not Find the subject of the sentence. If it is not

provided in the sentence, infer a sensible provided in the sentence, infer a sensible subject (not “you”).subject (not “you”).

2.2. Create an action verb that fits the context of the Create an action verb that fits the context of the sentence.sentence.

Changing to Active VoiceChanging to Active Voice

Change the following sentences to active Change the following sentences to active voice.voice.

1.1. The book is being read by over half the The book is being read by over half the class.class.

2.2. Results will be published in the next issue.Results will be published in the next issue.

3.3. A policy of whitewashing and cover-up has A policy of whitewashing and cover-up has been pursued by the CIA director.been pursued by the CIA director.

Reasons to Use Passive VoiceReasons to Use Passive Voice

1.1. The agent (doer) of the action is The agent (doer) of the action is unimportant.unimportant.

• The pyramids The pyramids were builtwere built thousands of years ago. thousands of years ago.

2.2. The agent is unknown. The agent is unknown. Several robberies Several robberies were committedwere committed during the during the

night. night.

3.3. The agent is common knowledge, and The agent is common knowledge, and mentioning it would be redundant. mentioning it would be redundant. George Bush George Bush was electedwas elected in 2000. in 2000.

Reason to Use Passive Cont’dReason to Use Passive Cont’d

4.4. The tense of a verb must be expressed using a The tense of a verb must be expressed using a form of form of bebe.. The instructor The instructor is teaching is teaching class this hour.class this hour.

5.5. The writer desires to control focus of sentence The writer desires to control focus of sentence and de-emphasize the agent’s role in the action.and de-emphasize the agent’s role in the action. The alarm The alarm was triggered was triggered by my son. [Passive by my son. [Passive

construction shifts focus away from the son’s construction shifts focus away from the son’s responsibility.] responsibility.]

6.6. To emphasize the party receiving the action.To emphasize the party receiving the action.• JackJack was kicked by Jill. was kicked by Jill.

Difficult CorrectionsDifficult Corrections

Passive voice can be difficult to correct if the Passive voice can be difficult to correct if the main verb in the sentence is a form of main verb in the sentence is a form of bebe..

These sentences may need drastic revision.These sentences may need drastic revision.

Passive: I Passive: I amam bored. bored. Active: Grammar Active: Grammar boresbores me. me.

Passive: This tax policy Passive: This tax policy isis best for Americans. best for Americans. Active: This policy Active: This policy guaranteesguarantees Americans low taxes. Americans low taxes.