What is the “passive voice”?: Difference between revisions

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== What is Passive Voice?==
'''== What is Passive Voice?=='''
Passive voice is when the subject does not perform an action, like in an active sentence. In the active voice, the subject does something:
Passive voice is when the subject does not perform an action, like in an active sentence. In the active voice, the subject does something:


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Diana Hacker states in her book, ''A Writer's Reference'', "forms of ''''be'''' (be, am, is, are, was, were, being, been) lack vigor because they convey no action" (128).
Diana Hacker states in her book, ''A Writer's Reference'', "forms of ''''be'''' '''(be, am, is, are, was, were, being, been)''', lack vigor because they convey no action" (128).




Another problem with passive voice is it is often wordy and less concise than active voice.   
Another problem with passive voice is it is often wordy and less concise than active voice.   
   
   
* Wordiness, can cause a reader to become confused and/or lose interest in the material (OWL).
* '''Wordiness''', can cause a reader to become confused and/or lose interest in the material (OWL).




==When To Use Passive Voice==
'''==When To Use Passive Voice=='''


* Passive voice can be used in technical or scientific writing.  
* Passive voice can be used in technical or scientific writing.  
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  (Note: Be selective about when and how passive voice is used)
  (Note: Be selective about when and how passive voice is used)


== Progressive Tense ==
'''== Progressive Tense =='''


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:
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