What specific reasons lead certain style guides to discourage or limit the use of passive voice in writing? How does it relate to achieving directness, conciseness, and reader engagement? Are there situations where passive voice contradicts the clarity or active tone recommended for professional or creative content?
Some style guides recommend avoiding passive voice in writing for several reasons:
1. Directness: Passive voice can obscure the subject of the sentence and lead to a lack of clarity. Using active voice often makes the sentence more straightforward and direct, which can enhance the reader’s understanding.
2. Conciseness: Passive voice often requires more words to convey the same information compared to active voice. By using active voice, writers can usually express their ideas more succinctly and maintain the reader’s interest.
3. Reader Engagement: Active voice typically makes sentences more dynamic and engaging for the reader. It can help maintain a sense of momentum in the writing and hold the reader’s attention.
In professional or creative writing, passive voice can sometimes contradict the desired clarity and active tone. For example, in business writing, clear and direct communication is crucial to convey important information efficiently. In creative writing, active voice often brings characters and scenes to life, immersing readers in the story more effectively.
While passive voice can be used intentionally in certain situations to emphasize the action recipient rather than the doer or to create a specific tone, overusing it may lead to ambiguity or a lack of engagement. Therefore, many style guides advise writers to use passive voice sparingly and opt for active voice whenever possible to achieve clear, concise, and engaging writing.