Exploring Writing - Gary Robert Muschla 2011

Exercise 2.7 Active Versus Passive Constructions
Using Active Constructions
Part 2. Writing the Draft

Active constructions, sometimes referred to as active voice, help to make writing direct and strong. Passive constructions, also known as passive voice, make writing indirect and weak. Active constructions are clear and add force to writing. Study the following example:

✵ Jimmy finished his homework. (active)

✵ The homework was finished by Jimmy. (passive)

Notice that the active construction is shorter and provides a clear idea. The passive construction is wordy. In the active construction, Jimmy is the subject and finished is the predicate. There is no confusion that Jimmy finished the homework. In the passive construction, homework is the subject and the predicate is the phrase was finished. Jimmy becomes the object of the preposition by. Most readers easily understand the first sentence. Some have to think about the meaning of the second. Active constructions are almost always a better choice than passive constructions because they help readers to visualize action and ideas.

Exercise 2.7 Active Versus Passive Constructions

Study the following example:

✵ Jamal hit a home run. (active)

✵ A home run was hit by Jamal. (passive)

In the first sentence the action is clear. Although the second sentence says the same thing, the action is not expressed as clearly. This is the major difference between active and passive constructions: active constructions are clear and direct; passive constructions are wordy and less clear.

Here is another example:

✵ Larissa smiled at the baby. (active)

✵ The baby was smiled at by Larissa. (passive)

The first sentence is the active construction. For practice with active and passive constructions, do Worksheet 2.13 at the end of this section.