When it comes to writing effectively, understanding the difference between active and passive voice is crucial. Many people mistakenly believe that the use of passive voice is irrelevant or something to be avoided at all costs. However, this assumption is misguided.
Here’s why: active voice puts the focus on the performer of the action, while passive voice directs the reader’s attention to the recipient or the one affected by the action. In many situations, both versions can be appropriate depending on what you want to emphasize or the context in which you are writing.
There are both scholarly and social norms that determine when each voice should be used. In academic writing, active voice is often preferred as it is considered more direct and concise. However, in some contexts, passive voice may be more appropriate, such as when directing blame away from specific individuals or when making general statements about a broad topic.
Here’s an example to illustrate the difference: “Cleo beat Bush in the race yesterday.” This sentence is written in active voice, highlighting the person performing the action, Cleo. On the other hand, in passive voice, the sentence would read: “Bush was beaten by Cleo in the race yesterday.” The focus here is on Bush, the recipient of the action.
Understanding the Difference Between Active and Passive Voice
Active Voice
In active voice, the subject is the one performing the action. It is clear, concise, and often preferred for its directness. Here are a few examples:
- The employee completed the task yesterday.
- Cleo walked around campus.
- The writer held a scholarly lecture.
Active voice is widely accepted and is often used to convey actions and facts in a straightforward manner.
Passive Voice
In passive voice, the subject of the sentence receives the action instead of performing it. This results in wordy and sometimes ambiguous sentences. Passive voice is not always wrong, but it should be used carefully. Here are a few examples:
- The task was completed by the employee yesterday.
- Campus was walked around by Cleo.
- A scholarly lecture was held by the writer.
Passive voice is often used when the performer of the action is unknown or when the action itself is more important than the actor. However, misusing passive voice can lead to vague and awkward writing.
Now that you understand the difference between active and passive voice, here are a few ways to avoid misuse:
- Avoid using passive voice when the actor is known.
- Avoid using passive voice to make your writing more concise and direct.
- Use active voice to engage the reader and make your writing more dynamic.
In summary, active and passive voice have their own purposes and uses. Both can be effective when used appropriately, but active voice is generally preferred for its clarity and impact.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Active Voice
- Clarity: Active voice keeps the focus on the doer of the action, making it clear who is performing the action. This helps the reader understand the message quickly and avoids confusion.
- Directness: Active voice is more direct and straightforward than passive voice. It eliminates unnecessary words and gets straight to the point.
- Engagement: Active voice engages the reader by creating a sense of action and involvement. It encourages the reader to pay attention and stay focused on the topic.
- Correctness: Active voice is the preferred voice in most scholarly and scientific contexts. It is the recommended style for writing research papers, reports, and academic articles.
- Efficiency: Active voice is often more efficient than passive voice. It uses fewer words to convey the same message, making the writing more concise and easier to understand.
However, there are also some disadvantages of using active voice:
- Blame: Active voice clearly identifies the doer of the action, which means it can also place blame on that person or entity. In certain situations, it may be more appropriate to use passive voice to avoid pointing fingers.
- Irrelevance: Active voice can sometimes focus too much on the action, neglecting the recipient or the broader context. This can result in irrelevant information being included in the sentence.
- Wordiness: Active voice sentences tend to be more to-the-point, but this can result in wordier statements compared to passive voice. Active voice may require additional words to show the action or perform the action in a broader context.
In summary, active voice offers many advantages in terms of clarity, directness, engagement, correctness, and efficiency. However, it may not be suitable for all situations and can have its disadvantages, such as blame placement, irrelevance, and potential wordiness. It is important for writers to consider the purpose, audience, and tone of their writing when deciding whether to use active or passive voice.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Passive Voice
Advantages of Using Passive Voice:
- Directing attention: Passive voice allows writers to focus on the recipient of the action rather than the doer. This can be useful when the doer of the action is irrelevant or unknown.
- Emphasizing the action: By using passive voice, the writer can put more emphasis on the action itself rather than the person or entity performing it.
- Avoiding personal opinions: Passive voice can be used to present information in a more objective manner, without explicitly stating the writer’s opinions or beliefs.
- Summarizing complex actions: Passive voice can be helpful in summarizing a series of actions or events, especially in scientific or scholarly reports.
- Keeping a formal tone: In certain contexts, such as formal writing or academic papers, passive voice can help maintain a professional and serious tone.
Disadvantages of Using Passive Voice:
- Wordy sentences: Passive voice tends to create longer and more wordy sentences, which can make the writing more difficult to read or follow.
- Lack of clarity: Passive voice can sometimes result in unclear or ambiguous sentences, as it may not clearly communicate who is performing the action.
- Decreased reader’s engagement: Passive voice may make the writing feel more distant or impersonal, which can reduce the reader’s engagement and interest in the text.
- Misuse of resources: Passive voice can be misused when the focus should be on the doer of the action or when it is important to hold someone accountable for their actions.
In summary, the use of passive voice in writing has its advantages and disadvantages. It is important for writers to consider the purpose, audience, and context of their writing in order to determine whether to use active or passive voice. By understanding the difference between these two voices and using them appropriately, writers can effectively communicate their ideas and engage their readers.
Creative Ways to Use the Passive Voice in Writing
1. Directing Attention
By using the passive voice, you can direct the reader’s attention to a specific object or concept, rather than focusing on the doer of the action. This can be particularly effective when you want to highlight certain aspects or emphasize the importance of an object or idea. For example, instead of saying “Cleo ate the entire cake,” you could say “The entire cake was eaten by Cleo.”
2. Shifting Blame
The passive voice can be a powerful tool for shifting blame or responsibility away from individuals. By using the passive voice, you can make statements that are less direct and do not assign blame or point fingers. This is especially useful in social or professional contexts where it may be inappropriate or irrelevant to focus on the specific doers of certain actions. For example, instead of saying “John broke the window,” you could say “The window was broken.”
3. Summing Up Opinions
When summarizing different opinions or perspectives, the passive voice can help convey a broad range of viewpoints without specifically naming the individuals or groups expressing them. This allows for a more neutral and unbiased presentation of the information. For example, instead of saying “Experts disagree on whether aliens exist,” you could say “It is widely debated whether aliens exist.”
4. Giving Examples
The passive voice can be used to give examples without explicitly stating who the performers of the actions are. This can be useful when you want to provide general or unknown examples to support your argument or point of view. For example, instead of saying “Bush committed crimes in office,” you could say “Crimes were committed in office.”
5. Misuse of the Passive Voice
While the passive voice can be a valuable tool for certain purposes, it is important to use it judiciously and avoid its overuse. Some writers and scholars argue that excessive use of the passive voice can make writing dull and less engaging. Like any form of communication, finding the right balance and understanding the difference between active and passive voice is crucial. So, be creative with the passive voice, but also keep in mind the importance of maintaining clarity and engaging your reader’s attention.
FAQ
What is the difference between active voice and passive voice?
Active voice is when the subject of the sentence performs the action, while passive voice is when the subject of the sentence receives the action.
Why is active voice preferred in writing?
Active voice is preferred in writing because it is more direct, concise, and engaging. It allows the reader to easily understand who or what is performing the action.
When is passive voice used?
Passive voice is used when the focus is on the receiver of the action rather than the doer. It is also used when the doer is unknown or unimportant, or when the writer wants to emphasize the receiver of the action.
How is passive voice formed?
Passive voice is formed by using a form of the “be” verb (such as “is,” “was,” or “will be”) followed by the past participle of the main verb.
What are some examples of sentences in active voice and passive voice?
An example of a sentence in active voice is “John ate the apple.” An example of a sentence in passive voice is “The apple was eaten by John.”
