The distinction between active and passive voice often causes trouble for many students – and professional writers! Elementary and high school students are generally taught to eschew the passive because it is “weak.” However, the choice between the two is quite nuanced and depends on the ideas a writer is trying to convey and the conventions of their discipline. Both may be used in the same text, depending on the context and content of the sentences.
What is Active Voice?
When the subject of a sentence performs the action stated by the verb, the sentence is said to be in the active voice.
For example:
Squirrels collect nuts.
Squirrels (subject) collect (verb) nuts (object).
The writer wrote books.
The writer (subject) wrote (verb) books (object).
The pig grunted at the farmer.
The pig (subject) grunted (verb) at the farmer (object).
All three sentences demonstrate the basic active voice construction – subject, verb, and object. The subject(s) squirrels perform the action stated by the verb collect. The subject writer performs the action stated by the verb wrote. The subject pig performs the action stated by the verb grunted. The subjects are the ones taking action in their sentences.
Most non-scientific writing uses active voice. Sentences in the active voice convey meaning in a strong, clear, and direct manner. The active voice prevents sentences from becoming wordy or complicated. Sentences in active voice are also more concise because fewer words are needed to demonstrate action. Even in scientific writing, overusing the passive voice can cloud the meaning of sentences.
What is Passive Voice?
When the subject of a sentence is being acted on by the verb, the sentence is said to be in the passive voice.
For example:
Nuts are collected by squirrels.
Nuts (subject) are collected (verb) by squirrels (agent).
Books were written by the writer.
Books (subject) were written (verb) by the writer (agent).
The farmer was grunted at by the pig.
The farmer (subject) was grunted at (verb) by the pig (agent).
In passive voice, the subject is the recipient of the action stated by the verb; the subject is acted upon, while the agent performing the action is often preceded by “by the…”.
The passive voice consists of the past participle of the verb plus a conjugated form of to be. A preposition almost always goes along with this combination. While this might sound complicated, constructing or identifying a sentence in passive voice is actually quite easy.
How to Recognize Passive Voice
Passive voice is easily recognizable by its characteristic verb phrase that always includes a form of be – is, am, was, were, are, or been. The presence of the be verb does not, however, invariably denote the passive voice. Verbs in a passive voice construction are often followed by a “by the…” phrase; the agent performing the action stated by the verb is the object of the preposition.
Passive Voice in Scientific Writing
During the 20th century, science researchers aligned themselves firmly with the passive voice, preferring to distance themselves from their work by describing their actions in an objective manner. Passive voice is frequently used in scientific writing because it does away with personal pronouns or the need to mention the names of researchers as the subjects of sentences. This allows writers to present scientific research as an objective, fact-based discourse, without attributing it to a specific agent or agents. The writing, therefore, appears to convey information that is unconstrained by personal interests or individual perspectives. It is believed that writing in the passive voice keeps scientists and researchers at a distance from their data so that they can be objective about it. Objectivity is considered to be of prime importance for good science.
For example:
Active – The scientist performed the experiment.
Passive – The experiment was performed by the scientist.
Sometimes, a scientific writer might simply omit the subject to make the sentence more concise.
The experiment was performed.
Reasons to Avoid Passive Voice
- The use of passive voice can sometimes create awkward sentences.
For example:
The exam was failed by one third of the class.
A more streamlined procedure was envisioned by the committee.
We were invited by our neighbors to their party.
The above sentences sound much better in active voice.
One third of the class failed the exam.
The committee envisioned a more streamlined procedure.
Our neighbors invited us to their party.
- Overuse of passive voice can make writing seem flat and uninteresting.
For example:
The proposed initiative will be strongly opposed by animal rights groups.
The news was heard by me through the grapevine.
It has been found by a CNN poll that support for gay marriage is steadily increasing.
Active voice would certainly liven up the above sentences!
Animal rights groups will strongly oppose the proposed initiative.
I heard the news through the grapevine.
A CNN poll has found that support for gay marriage is steadily increasing.
- The passive voice is wordy.
For example:
Sentences are almost always made less clear by using the passive voice.
My first trip to Hawaii will always be remembered by me.
The effort was made by everyone.
The active alternative is almost always more concise and conveys meaning with fewer words.
The passive voice almost always makes sentences less clear.
I will always remember my first trip abroad.
Everyone made the effort.
Reasons to Use Passive Voice
- Passive voice can be used when the agent is unknown, obvious, irrelevant, generalized, or cannot be named for a variety of reasons.
For example:
David’s car has been stolen. (Unknown agent)
The thief has been arrested. (Obvious agent)
I was advised to apply for a bank loan. (Irrelevant agent)
Computers are used for many different purposes. (Generalized agent)
I regret to inform you that your application has been rejected. (It would be untactful to mention the agent.)
- Institutions or people in authority often use the passive voice because it lends more weight to their statements.
For example:
Violators will be prosecuted to the maximum limit of the law.
If your assignment is late, your grade will be reduced by one letter.
