The Use and abuse of the passive voice

The Use and abuse of the passive voice in English Merija Jirgensons, Ph. D Distance Education Study Centre Riga Technical University Doctoral Student Writing Workshop RTU Doctoral Student Support Programme Spring 2017, Riga

Passive or active voice? Few topics engender such heated debates as that of active vs. passive voice. This argument is relevant to writing in general, but I think it is particularly so to scientific writing. Some writers speak out in vehement opposition to passive voice; others claim it should be used liberally. What is one to do? From: Duke University, Graduate School of Scientific Writing Resource https: //cgi. duke. edu/web/sciwriting/index. php? action=passive_voice

Using and (NOT) using the passive voice in English 1. In English the normal word order is in the active voice that consists of noun, verb and sometimes object E. g. the boy hits the ball. 2. In English the active voice rather than the passive is more natural and direct—less confusing. 3. The active voice is the preferred form in English, even in scientific writing. 4. Current norm for passive voice in scientific articles is between 20 -30% (Alvin, 2014)

Misconceptions about passive voice • There is a misconception among some scientists that scientific writing should be written in the passive voice. • This notion is untrue. Scientific writing needs to clearly communicate information and findings / results • In English, clarity in writing is best achieved by using the active voice. • There are times when the passive voice may be necessary, instances that will be discussed more fully below • Generally scientific writing communicates best in English in the active voice.

History of use of passive voice • In the twentieth century the passive voice was the norm in English (possibly under the influence of German science, Humboldt University), but this opinion has changed. • Currently many scientific journals require that writing be in the active voice; other scientific journals are not that explicit but DO require “clear, simple sentence structure” ( U of Toronto Writing Centre). • Clarity is best achieved in the active voice.

History of use of passive voice, 2 • Most scientists today use passive voice in English either out of habit or to make themselves seem scholarly, objective or sophisticated. • Passive voice creates awkward scientific writing • Science has not always been written in passive voice. • First-person pronouns such as I and we began to disappear from scientific writing in the United States in the 1920 s when active voice was replaced by today's inflexible, impersonal and often boring style of scientific writing. (Duke U writing Center) • Current norm for is 70%-80% active voice in scientific writing

Where is the passive voice commonly used today? • Methods and Materials section (IMRa. D) • Lab reports • There are other instances when you DO use the passive voice in English, but they are limited. • Those instances will be discussed below in more detail.

What is the Passive Voice? • Passive voice occurs when the object becomes the subject and the actor is introduced by the preposition “by” or else eliminate. • Examples: 1. Passive: The ball was hit by the boy. Active: The boy hits the ball. 2. Passive: The tennis racket was swung by John. Active: John swung the tennis racket. 3. Passive: It was announced that tomorrow there would be a sale at the supermarket. Active: The supermarket’s sales department announced that tomorrow there would be a sale. 4. Actor eliminate in passive voice Examples: The pyramids were built long ago. My bike was stolen

How is the passive formed? • • The passive form is used to focus on the action; The object of the sentence becomes the subject The verb “to be” is conjugated Past participle The subject becomes the object or else is eliminated Object + form of “to be” + past participle+ subject or subject may be eliminated Examples: Active: the boy hits the ball Passive: the ball was hit by the boy (ball is subject, subject becomes object) My bike was stolen (subject not needed) the pyramids were built thousands of years ago (subject not needed) For conjugating in the passive form together with active form consult: English grammar online: use of the passive voice https: //www. ego 4 u. com/en/cram-up/grammar/passive

Passive Voice in scientific writing • The passive voice was applied in scientific writing to put the focus on the study and not the researcher or researchers. • Yet scientific articles written in the active voice are most precise and clear and the actors can be included without being intrusive and not lose sight of the research • Passive voice cannot be eliminated. There are times when it is appropriate to use passive voice, but it is over-used or not used correctly

When is the passive voice used? • Methods and Materials sections of scientific papers – Trend in the twenty-first century has been movement away from using the passive voice even in M & M. – The trend has been to use the active voice, even in M & M. – Another trend, first person pronouns (the “I” and the “we”) are being used more often in scientific writing. • The sources are contradictory on this point. • Advice: do what editors and advisors tell you; • Take a firm stand. • Lab reports still prefer passive voice because emphasis is on the object of study, example: – Carbohydrates are produced by green plants in the presence of light and chlorophyll. Biomedical Editor http: //www. biomedicaleditor. com/passive-voice. html

Modern trend: active voice usage of “I ”and “we” in scientific writing, examples: 1. After adjusting the temperature, we examined the effects of the heat on the specimens. 2. After examining the data, I formulated the results (active) 3. But in passive: After examining the data, the results were formulated (passive) • Caveat: Do not begin sentence with “I” or “we”. Use an introductory phrase such verbal phrase, prepositional phrase, or another subordinate phrase (Alley 109)

Cases where you DO use the Passive voice 1. When the actor is unknown or not important, examples: – The house was built in the eighteenth century (we do not know who built it) – A painting was stolen from the museum yesterday (we do know who stole it) 2. When the writer does not wish to identify the actor or when the identity of someone is being protected. Journalists often use this ruse, example: --It was stated by a high ranking source.

Cases where you DO use the Passive voice, 2 3. When discussing a general truth or proverb, examples: Practice makes perfect – A stitch in time saves nine – The germ theory gradually gained acceptance in the nineteenth century. -- 4. When emphasis is on the object of study. (most important reason) -- still preferred in laboratory reports. Example: Carbohydrates are produced by green plants in the presence of light and chlorophyll. * 5. It may be more polite to use the passive form Examples: A mistake was made A vase was broken. *Cite: Biomedical Editor http: //www. biomedicaleditor. com/passive-voice. html

Problem of dangling modifiers in passive voice • Dangling modifiers (when the object the modified is not clearly identified). Examples: – Arriving late for class, a written excuse was needed (passive voice) – Arriving late for class, the teacher required a written excuse. (active voice) – To test the hypothesis, the participants were divided into two groups (passive voice) – To test this hypothesis, we divided the participants into two groups, (active voice, we, not the participants tested the hypothesis)

Summary of the uses of passive voice in science 1. The trend now in science is to use the active voice rather than passive. 2. There are times when passive voice is needed; use when needed, but use appropriately; main instances: a. b. c. d. e. 3. When the actor is unknown or unimportant; When the actor does not wish to be identified; When the focus is on the object of the study; A general truth or proverb As a polite form Methods and Materials sections of studies often make use of passive voice, but even here the trend is toward the active voice. 4. Laboratory reports often make use of passive voice. 5. When you DO need the passive voice, use it; but do not overdo it.

Passive Voice, example exercises • 1. America was discovered by Columbus • 2. The policy needs to be evaluated. • 3. The French cathedral were erected many hundreds of years ago. • 4. The hypothesis that smoking causes lung cancer was rejected by tobacco companies. (passive) • 5. There are likely to be many questions raised about the methodological approach used in the study by the researchers. • 6. It was stated by an anonymous source that the star witness had lied.

Passive Voice, example exercises with answers • 1. America was discovered by Columbus – 1 ex. Ans: Columbus discovered America. • 2. The policy needs to be evaluated. – 2 ex. Ans: The planning committee needs to evaluate the policy • 3. The French cathedral were erected many hundreds of years ago. – 3 ex. Ans: No change, the focus is the cathedrals; we do not know who built them and are not interested. • 4. The hypothesis that smoking causes lung cancer was rejected by tobacco companies. (passive) – 4 ex. Ans: Tobacco companies rejected the hypothesis that smoking increases lung cancer. (active) • 5. There are likely to be many questions raised about the methodological approach used in the study by the researchers. – 5 ex. Ans: Researchers will likely raise many questions about the methodological approach used in the study. • 6. It was stated by an anonymous source that the star witness had lied. – 6 ex. Ans: No change, the identity of the witness is being protected.

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