The Passive Voice: A Grammar Lesson That’s About as Exciting as Watching Paint Dry (But Maybe a Little More Useful)
You’re sitting there, minding your own business, trying to figure out the difference between a semicolon and a colon (don’t worry, we’ve all been there), and suddenly, BAM! You’re hit with a grammatical concept that’s more confusing than a double-stuffed Oreo: the passive voice.
It’s like that awkward friend who shows up at every party, but nobody really knows what to say to them. The passive voice is technically correct, but it’s often considered weak and lacks the punch of its active counterpart.
So, what is this elusive passive voice, and why does it have the grammar police up in arms? Let’s dive in, shall we?
The Passive Voice: A Brief History of a Grammar Villain
Think of the passive voice as the villain of the grammar world. It’s the antagonist in the sentence, lurking in the shadows and trying to steal the spotlight from the real hero—the active voice.
In the active voice, the subject of the sentence performs the action. It’s clear, concise, and gets the job done. Think of it as the superhero saving the day. But in the passive voice, the subject is acted upon. It’s like the superhero is being saved instead of doing the saving.
Examples: The Passive Voice’s Unmasking
Let’s take a look at some classic examples to illustrate the difference:
- Active Voice: The dog chased the cat. (The dog is the subject and is doing the chasing.)
- Passive Voice: The cat was chased by the dog. (The cat is the subject and is being chased.)
See the difference? In the passive voice, the action is happening to the subject (“cat”), and the doer of the action (“dog”) is either mentioned at the end of the sentence or left out entirely.
Why the Passive Voice is Often Considered “Weak”
So, why is the passive voice considered “weak” by grammar purists? It’s like a character in a movie who’s constantly being rescued instead of doing the rescuing. It can make writing seem less engaging and more roundabout.
Here’s why the passive voice can be a bit of a drag:
- It can be wordy: The passive voice often requires extra words to get the point across. In the example above, “The cat was chased by the dog” is longer than “The dog chased the cat.”
- It can be vague: The passive voice can hide the doer of the action, making the sentence less clear and direct. Take the sentence, “The ball was hit.” Who hit the ball? We don’t know.
- It can sound less assertive: The passive voice can make your writing seem less confident and authoritative.
When the Passive Voice Can Be Your Friend
Now, before you go out and banish the passive voice from your writing altogether, let’s remember that every rule has its exceptions. The passive voice can be a valuable tool in certain situations:
- When the actor is unknown: “The window was broken.” Who broke the window? It doesn’t matter. The focus is on the broken window.
- When the actor is unimportant: “The report was submitted on time.” The focus is on the report being submitted, not who submitted it.
- When you want to emphasize the object: “The cake was eaten by the girl.” The focus is on the cake being eaten, not the girl who ate it.
The Passive Voice at Liberty University: A Tale of Grammar and Confusion
Now, let’s get back to the original question: which of these is a passive voice at Liberty University? You’re probably wondering why Liberty University is even involved in this grammar battle. Okay, maybe it’s not a full-blown battle, but it’s enough to give students a headache.
The problem is that the passive voice can be used in a variety of academic contexts, making it difficult for students to tell when it’s appropriate and when it’s not. Furthermore, professors might have different expectations for writing, leading to confusion and even a little bit of passive-aggressive tension.
The Passive Voice: A Final Word of Advice
So, what’s the takeaway here? Use the passive voice sparingly and consciously. Be aware of the impact it can have on your writing and make sure it serves a purpose. Think of the passive voice as a spice—use it in moderation to enhance your writing, but don’t overdo it.
And remember, just because you can write in the passive voice doesn’t mean you should.
The Active Voice: A Hero’s Journey in Grammar
The active voice, on the other hand, is like the hero of the grammar world. It’s clear, concise, and full of action. It’s the protagonist of your sentence, the one who takes charge and gets things done.
So, next time you’re writing, embrace the active voice and let your writing shine. You’ll be surprised at how much more engaging and effective your writing will be.
And who knows, maybe you’ll even be able to impress your professors with your mastery of the active voice. Just don’t tell them you learned it from a blog post about the passive voice. Keep that a secret between us.
P.S.: If you’re still confused about the passive voice, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Many people struggle with it. Just remember to use it wisely, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a grammar guru. And if all else fails, just ask your friendly neighborhood grammar nerd for help. They’ll be happy to lend a hand—or should I say, “a helping hand?” See, I’m already using the active voice! Isn’t it wonderful?