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RE: Active versus passive (WAS Displays versus Appears-Which One? )
Subject:RE: Active versus passive (WAS Displays versus Appears-Which One? ) From:"Tracy Boyington" <tracy_boyington -at- okcareertech -dot- org> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Tue, 19 Dec 2000 08:28:17 -0600
Mike didn't say passive voice *can't* identify the actor, just that it should be used when you don't *want* to identify the actor. It is often the best solution when the actor is unknown (The bank was robbed today), unimportant (This house was built in 1900), or needs to be unnamed (We've been informed you're drinking on the job).
====================================================
Tracy Boyington tracy_boyington -at- okcareertech -dot- org
Oklahoma Department of Career & Technology Education
Stillwater, OK http://www.okvotech.org/cimc
====================================================
>>> Sharon Deitch <sharon -at- sintecmedia -dot- com> 12/19/00 04:59AM >>>
Mike writes:
> I think a more useful rule is this:
>
> Passive voice is fine when the
> identity of the actor doesn't matter.
>
> When it matters, use active voice.
I've seen similar comments on this list about the passive voice not
identifying the "actor." This is simply untrue.
Example:
The mess was made by the cat, and that puddle was made by my toddler. In
both these passive-voice clauses, it is very clear who did what.
Compare: The cat made the mess, and my toddler made that puddle. Fewer
words; sharper, clearer writing.
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