Personally in my science writing, I tend to favor the active voice unless it really is easier to write a sentence in passive, in which case I do. If the topic is being acted upon, use passive voice. If the topic is the actor, use active voice. REVISED: The combination of these two elements weakens the argument. The simple rule is this: Topic and stress trump active and passive. Example: It is the combination of these two elements that makes the argument weak.Using forms of to be (e.g., is, are, was, were) leads to wordiness. PASSIVE VOICE: Thomas Jefferson’s support of the new Constitution was documented in a letter to James Madison.ĪCTIVE VOICE: Thomas Jefferson documented his support of the new Constitution in a letter to James Madison. PASSIVE VOICE: On April 19, 1775, arms were seized by British soldiers at Concord, precipitating the American Revolution.ĪCTIVE VOICE: On April 19, 1775, British soldiers seized arms at Concord, precipitating the American Revolution.PASSIVE VOICE: My first trip abroad is one I will always remember.ĪCTIVE VOICE: I will always remember my first trip abroad. PASSIVE VOICE: My first trip abroad will always be remembered by me.To change a sentence from passive to active voice, determine who or what performs the action, and use that person or thing as the subject of the sentence. passive should be seen as a virtue, and that the active voice. Passive voice often creates unclear, less direct, wordy sentences, whereas active voice creates clearer, more concise sentences. While much has been written about the passive voice in scientific writing, similar. In contrast, active voice produces a sentence in which the subject performs an action. Passive voice produces a sentence in which the subject receives an action. In most instances, put the verb in the active voice rather than in the passive voice.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |