Active vs. Passive Voice

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Active vs. Passive Voice

• Composition

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Definition

• Writers use active voice to keep writing direct,
  dynamic, tighter, and less awkward.
• Active voice uses action verbs.
• Passive voice uses linking verbs.
• Forms of Be is, am, are, was, were, be, been,
  being
• Overuse of passive voice makes writing flat and
  uninteresting.
• Limit 2-3 linking verbs per paragraph.

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Active Voice

• In sentences written in active voice, the subject
  performs the action expressed in the verb the
  subject acts.
• The dog bit the boy.
• P.J. will present her research at the conference.
• The scientists conducted research.

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Passive Voice

• In sentences written in passive voice, the
  subject receives the action expressed in the
  verb the subject is acted upon.
• The agent performing the action may appear in a
  "by the . . ." phrase or may be omitted.
• The boy was bitten by the dog.
• Research will be presented by P.J.
• Experiments have been conducted.

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Why choose active voice?

• Active voice is preferable to passive for the
  majority of your sentences.
• Sentences in active voice are generally--though
  not always-- clearer and more direct than those
  in passive voice.
• Passive The entrance exam was failed by over
  one-third of the applicants.
• Active Over one-third of the applicants failed
  the entrance exam.

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Changing Passive to Active Voice

• If you want to change a passive-voice sentence to
  active voice
• Find what could be turned into an action verb in
  the sentence. Then ask who or what is performing
  the action and make that the subject.
• - OR -
• Find the subject of the sentence. If it is not
  provided in the sentence, infer a sensible
  subject (not you).
• Create an action verb that fits the context of
  the sentence.

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Changing to Active Voice

• Change the following sentences to active voice.
• The book is being read by over half the class.
• Results will be published in the next issue.
• A policy of whitewashing and cover-up has been
  pursued by the CIA director.

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Reasons to Use Passive Voice

• The agent (doer) of the action is unimportant.
• The pyramids were built thousands of years ago.
• The agent is unknown.
• Several robberies were committed during the
  night.
• The agent is common knowledge, and mentioning it
  would be redundant.
• George Bush was elected in 2000.

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Reason to Use Passive Contd

• The tense of a verb must be expressed using a
  form of be.
• The instructor is teaching class this hour.
• The writer desires to control focus of sentence
  and de-emphasize the agents role in the action.
• The alarm was triggered by my son. Passive
  construction shifts focus away from the sons
  responsibility.
• To emphasize the party receiving the action.
• Jack was kicked by Jill.

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Difficult Corrections

• Passive voice can be difficult to correct if the
  main verb in the sentence is a form of be.
• These sentences may need drastic revision.
• Passive I am bored.
• Active Grammar bores me.
• Passive This tax policy is best for Americans.
• Active This policy guarantees Americans low
  taxes.