What is the “passive voice”?: Difference between revisions
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Progressive tense is another type of passive construction. It occurs when you use a be verb with an the -ing form of the verb to show that action continues and is not fixed to a certain point in time. For example: | '''Progressive tense''' is another type of passive construction. It occurs when you use a be verb with an the -ing form of the verb to show that action continues and is not fixed to a certain point in time. For example: | ||
She is talking with Henry. | She is talking with Henry. | ||
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She has been reading the latest Harry Potter novel. | She has been reading the latest Harry Potter novel. | ||
The progressive tense is often used without thinking, but should only be used sparingly. More often than not the real verb should be used, eliminating the need for the be verb (passive) at all: | The '''progressive''' tense is often used without thinking, but should only be used sparingly. More often than not the real verb should be used, eliminating the need for the be verb (passive) at all: | ||
She talks with Henry daily. | She talks with Henry daily. | ||
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She reads the latest Harry Potter novel every night before bed. | She reads the latest Harry Potter novel every night before bed. | ||
Notice that when you eliminate the progressive tense, you must supply a specific time for the sentence to make sense. | Notice that when you eliminate the '''progressive''' tense, you must supply a specific time for the sentence to make sense. | ||
Like the passive voice, use the progressive tense sparingly and strategically for specific rhetorical effect. Try to eliminate all unnecessary uses of the be verb. | Like the passive voice, use the '''progressive''' tense sparingly and strategically for specific rhetorical effect. Try to eliminate all unnecessary uses of the be verb. | ||