The Dreaded Passive Voice

Well, here’s another one that I run into often when writing; it’s the use of passive voice. I think I’m actually better at avoiding this problem now, especially since I’ve made considerable efforts to improve my overall writing abilities.

Passive voice is a grammar related term that many die-hard writers swear against using. It can lead to some uncomfortable reading by your readers, and will only come out sounding awkward (in most cases). It can also lead to the use of extraneous words when you don’t really need them (another big no-no).

In a non-passive voice (or active voice), the subject of the sentence performs some kind of an action (the verb) against an object. For example:

John poked the tiger  -  [subject] John [verb] poked [object] tiger

The tiger roared at John. 

Susie laughed at John. 

In a passive voice, it's the subject (not the object) that receives the action. For example:

The tiger was poked by John  -  [object] The tiger [verb] was poked [subject] John

John was roared at by the tiger.

John was laughed at by Susie.

Although most writing “how-to” books will talk about the negatives of using this type of grammar, it’s not always so. When not writing fiction, the use of this voice is perfectly fine in business (or other technical) writing. In fact, there are some instances where using it will make more sense in certain situations. Overall, however, it is generally accepted that you should try to avoid it as often as possible in fiction writing.

Like I mentioned earlier, this was a problem that I faced quite often (and still do to some extent). What about you? Do you still struggle with it?

Comments

[1ConfusedWriter]

Thanks for stopping by and leaving the kind words, Melly!

Vic

[Melly]

It's never been a problem for me when writing, but I do cringe when I read inappropriate use of passive voice.

You brought very good examples that I think demonstrate very well the cons of passive voice in creative writing.

Good stuff :)

[1ConfusedWriter]

"...too much of it and the reading becomes dry and bland."

I know this all too well, especially when I am forced to read my own writing. ;)

Thanks for the comments guys.

[Anders]

As soon as I figured out the difference between active and passive, I swore off that vile, putrid passive voice and have not used it since. I'll notice in books, or when people speak, every little instance of the passive voice. It's an awful side effect, and lately it hasn't been bothering me as much, but I am militant in my opposition to the passive voice.

[Catherman (The Hopeless Writer)]

I struggle with this too, but not as bad as I once did. The biggest problem comes with personal narrative because the passive way to say something seem the most natural. Sometimes, passive comes off more real. However, too much of it and the reading becomes dry and bland.