Active or Passive? - Page 2 - Writers Forum

Mike C · 07-02-2007, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick Beverley

However, in certain situations, it absolutely is the best thing to use.

Absolutely, and it's something I use when the situation demands.

However it's one of those tricks that's best used sparingly, or avoided completely, by the inexperienced writer, as avoiding passive voice always makes for a more dynamic read.

dwspig2 · 07-02-2007, 09:23 PM

I've found that avoiding the passive voice completely can lead to some awkward constructions, though. When I started my novel, I had that tidbit of knowledge in the back of my mind - "avoiding the passive voice always makes for a better read - and, therefore, some particularly odd-ball sentences insued. Once I resolved to write without worry of the passiveness of a sentence, I wrote more freely and the writing seemed more natural. So, I don't recommend saying that "avoiding the passive voice always makes for a better read." Perhaps it normally or usually makes for a better read, but not always. Let's not discuss things in absolutes! Sometimes things are just better expressed in the passive voice. (Such as that previous sentence. I wanted to emphasize "sometimes" and "things" and not who was doing what. Hence, the passive voice was better.)

dwspig2 · 07-02-2007, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Azmakna

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwspig2

Most people don't understand that you need a past participle and a form of hte "be" verb when you form the passive. I have a friend that insists that every time that I use "be" and all its forms that the sentence is passive. I've tried to explain it to her, but she seems incapable of comprehending this simple fact.

it would be great if you could post an example of its use here fella

Past participles in red. "Be" verbs in green.

This concept cannot be easily explained to someone who was not adequately taught the basics of English grammar.

When teachers fail to teach their students adequately the basics of English grammar, some unfortunate learners will not grasp this concept. (No "be" verbs or past participles.)

Truth-Teller · 07-02-2007, 10:43 PM

Let's look at it like this:

The more you use passive voice the chances of becoming published is less than slim.

The more you use active voice, the better the chance of becoming published.

It's a simple fact of life.

lin · 07-02-2007, 10:49 PM

To tell the truth, Truth-teller's examples suck. Sorry. But they do.

The room was cold is NOT passive voice, it's just past tense.

There is no "active" way a room can be cold.

An example of passive/active would be

The books were thrown all over the floor.
Somebody threw the books all over the floor.

You could think of passive voice as "the anonymizer", which is how it is often used.

I had a doctor once telling me "You were mis-medicated"
What he meant was "I mis-medicated you." But he couldn't say that.

Passive voice gets a bad rap from people who think you can make grammar rules to say what's good and bad writing. Actually, it's just one way of saying things and can serve the writer's purpose as well as anything.

Timmy stared through the door. Books were thrown all over the floor.

Killing your boyfriend for infidelity is just not done.

Etc.

Truth-Teller · 07-02-2007, 10:53 PM

*shakes head*

None of those were my examples.

Krim · 07-02-2007, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truth-Teller

Passive:
The room was cold and dark when Billy came back.
Active:
Billy walked into a cold and dark room.

Er...

lin · 07-03-2007, 03:10 AM

Yes, I was talking about YOUR examples. They are not examples of what you think.

The other examples there are mine. Because it's lame to have only incorrect examples laying around.

Shakes head and fetches a stick.

Truth-Teller · 07-03-2007, 03:24 AM

How can they be my examples when I did not create them?

lin · 07-03-2007, 03:30 AM

Man, I can't tell if you're really that stupid or just trying to be a snag for some weird purpose. You posted some examples, right? They were in a post with your name on them, right? Those are the ones I'm talking about.

"The room WAS cold" was one of them, right?

So what the hell don't you understand?

Shawn · 07-03-2007, 04:08 AM

Active: Sometimes, I think, I run all day and never take a break. I think I ran 20 miles yesterday.

Passive: I'm lazy, dead simple. All activity is irrelevant.

^ That's my definition of active and passive.

Patrick Beverley · 07-03-2007, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawn

Active: Sometimes, I think, I run all day and never take a break. I think I ran 20 miles yesterday.

Passive: I'm lazy, dead simple. All activity is irrelevant.

^ That's my definition of active and passive.

Quote:

Let's look at it like this:

The more you use passive voice the chances of becoming published is less than slim.

The more you use active voice, the better the chance of becoming published.

It's a simple fact of life.

No it isn't, no it isn't, no it isn't!

The better you write, the more understanding you have of the possibilities presented by your language, the more in-fashion your style is, and the more appealing your writing is to the people who call the shots on what gets published -- the better the chance of becoming published.

Use of active and passive voice is one factor, but if you are still at the level of thinking there is an absolute rule on these things, you still have some way to go before you get published.

Mike C · 07-03-2007, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dwspig2

So, I don't recommend saying that "avoiding the passive voice always makes for a better read."

The phrase I used was 'more dynamic'. That doesn't necessarily mean better, granted.

Mike C · 07-03-2007, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Truth-Teller

Let's look at it like this:

The more you use passive voice the chances of becoming published is less than slim.

The more you use active voice, the better the chance of becoming published.

It's a simple fact of life.

No, it's not. It's rubbish, in fact. The more you understand how and when to use passive voice to best effect the better a writer you'll be and the better your chances of being published. The more you learn how your language works and how best to manipulate it to make it do what you want the better your chances of being published are.

Example: There's a short on my site, 'Strange Love, Doctor', which I sold to a magazine. Their editor emailed me suggesting changes - for the most part, changing the passive parts to active. I emailed back saying no, and explaining why it was written that way, and she agreed with me. The story was printed as was, and I got paid. It even got a good review - that's on the website too.

Rob · 07-03-2007, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike C

The story was printed as was

Should be: They printed the story as was.

Cheers,
Rob