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Grammatically Correct: The writer's essential guide to punctuation ...

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Active Versus<br />

Passive Voice<br />

Grarmnatically speaking, voice refers <strong>to</strong> whether the subject of a<br />

sentence is on the performing or the receiving end of the action. In<br />

sentences written in the active voice, the subject is the doer: Bob<br />

caught the Frisbee in his teeth (subject is Bob). In sentences written<br />

in the passive voice, the subject is acted upon: <strong>The</strong> Frisbee was<br />

caught in Bob's teeth (subject is the Frisbee). In a passive construction,<br />

the person or object that is actually performing the action may<br />

be referred <strong>to</strong> in the sentence, but is not the focus of it.<br />

<strong>The</strong> <strong>to</strong>pic of voice is addressed here rather than in the chapter<br />

on grammar because misuses of voice do not constitute actual errors,<br />

but do affect <strong>to</strong>ne, emphasis and readability-all of which are issues<br />

of style, not of right and wrong.<br />

ADVANTAGES OF THE ACTIVE VOICE<br />

Some grammar teachers issue a straight dictum <strong>to</strong> always use the<br />

active voice, never the passive. This overly simplistic advice would<br />

be better phrased as use the active voice as a general rule, and<br />

use the passive voice only if there's a specific reason <strong>to</strong> do so.<br />

<strong>The</strong> active voice has definite advantages over the passive: It's more<br />

direct and concise, and it can make your writing appear more vigorous<br />

and confident. <strong>The</strong> passive voice may sound clumsy, plodding<br />

or overly cautious in contrast. For example, compare the following<br />

sets of sentences:<br />

286<br />

PASSIVE: When the Fl key is pressed, help information is shown.<br />

MORE DIRECT: When you press the Fl key, help information appears.<br />

EVEN MORE DIRECT: Press the Fl key <strong>to</strong> see help information.

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