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Subject:RE: Active versus passive From:John Posada <jposada01 -at- yahoo -dot- com> To:"TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Thu, 21 Dec 2000 07:35:07 -0800 (PST)
> You offer this example of a process: The laundry is sorted, washed,
> dried and folded. I agree that the sentence is fine as it stands.
> However, I suggest that the following is more easily understood
> at first reading: I sort, wash, dry, and fold the laundry.
Aren't you assuming something? How do you know it was the "I" that
did it. Maybe as part of a whole process, the laundry got folded.
Maybe as instruction to the cleaning service as part of a multi-part
processes, the instructions go as follows:
Instruction to the Cleaning Service:
Prior to closing the house for the season, verify the following:
1) The laundry is sorted, washed, dried and folded.
2) The dishes are washed and put away.
3) The storm windows are shut and locked.
In this case, it isn't unclear who does it...the cleaning service
does. However, in light of the known fact that the cleaning service
does it, it is necessary to say "The cleaning service sorts, washes,
dries and folds the laundry."
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