Re: Use of Passive Voice

[Stuart Selber <sselber -at- MTU -dot- EDU>]

Using passive constructions, in many cases, is a political decision
because it directs where we attach agency in a sentence. In passive
constructions the words in the subject positions don't initiate action. I
can imagine both useful and not useful occasions for passive
constructions, although I agree that active voice seems preferable for
most end-user docs. We also always see ethical dimensions to our language
choices. I just get worried when we decide on absolute rules (like never use
passives) outside of rhetorical contexts. Just some thoughts.....

Stuart
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 *   Stuart A. Selber                                                    *
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 *   Michigan Technological University    906-487-3347 (fax)             *
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> Use the passive voice in the following situations:

> 1.      NEVER
> 2.      When the object requires more focus than the subject.
> 3.      When you absolutely, positively, really, truely cannot say it in
> active voice.

> david dubin
> This has been one man's opinion, yours may vary with mileage, age, or
> disposition.