Active vs. Passive Voice Composition

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 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.

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. The dog bit the boy. P.J. will present her research at the conference. P.J. will present her research at the conference. The scientists conducted research. The scientists conducted research.

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. The boy was bitten by the dog. Research will be presented by P.J. Research will be presented by P.J. Experiments have been conducted. Experiments have been conducted.

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. Passive: The entrance exam was failed by over one-third of the applicants. Active: Over one-third of the applicants failed the entrance exam. Active: Over one-third of the applicants failed the entrance exam.

Changing Passive to Active Voice  If you want to change a passive-voice sentence to active voice: 1. 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 - 1. Find the subject of the sentence. If it is not provided in the sentence, infer a sensible subject (not “you”). 2. Create an action verb that fits the context of the sentence.

Changing to Active Voice  Change the following sentences to active voice. 1. The book is being read by over half the class. 2. Results will be published in the next issue. 3. A policy of whitewashing and cover-up has been pursued by the CIA director.

Reasons to Use Passive Voice 1.The agent (doer) of the action is unimportant. The pyramids were built thousands of years ago.The pyramids were built thousands of years ago. 2. The agent is unknown. Several robberies were committed during the night. Several robberies were committed during the night. 3. The agent is common knowledge, and mentioning it would be redundant. George Bush was elected in George Bush was elected in 2000.

Reason to Use Passive Cont’d 4. The tense of a verb must be expressed using a form of be. The instructor is teaching class this hour. The instructor is teaching class this hour. 5. The writer desires to control focus of sentence and de-emphasize the agent’s role in the action. The alarm was triggered by my son. [Passive construction shifts focus away from the son’s responsibility.] The alarm was triggered by my son. [Passive construction shifts focus away from the son’s responsibility.] 6.To emphasize the party receiving the action. Jack was kicked by Jill.Jack was kicked by Jill.

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. Passive: I am bored. Active: Grammar bores me. Active: Grammar bores me. Passive: This tax policy is best for Americans. Passive: This tax policy is best for Americans. Active: This policy guarantees Americans low taxes. Active: This policy guarantees Americans low taxes.