Re: Active voice / passive voice studies

Subject: Re: Active voice / passive voice studies
From: Bruce Byfield <bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Date: Sat, 26 Jul 2003 16:29:05 -0700


I have a bit of trouble with the original question. It presupposes an absolute answer. Yet, if an absolute answer existed, then grammar checkers would be reliable, and people could learn to write far more easily than they do.

The most you can is that, if clarity is your goal, then the active is usually preferable: it's shorter and more direct. However, for emphasis or effect, the passive may be preferable. It's all a question of context and intent.

For this reason, studies are going to be of limited used. Thinking in terms of purpose is probably far more useful.

--
Bruce Byfield bbyfield -at- axionet -dot- com 604.421.7177
http://members.axion.net/~bbyfield

"But the price that we would really pay,
I didn't see it then:
March until your feet get sore,
You never dance again."
-OysterBand, "The Fiddle and the Gun"



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References:
Re: Active voice / passive voice studies: From: Jan Henning

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