Active Voice/Passive Voice

Active Voice/ Passive Voice

What's the difference between these two sentences?

Action was taken against the protesters.
Government troops took action against the protesters.

If you didn't notice, the difference is that one sentence explicitly identifies who "took action" while the other sentence obscures and hides this fact. The first example uses the passive voice -- it's clear who or what received the action, but who performed the action is unclear or hidden. The second sentence, which uses the active voice, identifies and emphasizes who or what performed what action -- and toward what or whom.

The Passive Voice:

What makes a phrase passive?
The use of the past participle preceded by a form of be ("you are given something," "I was given something," "she will be given something).
When is it used?
Whenever one wants to emphasize the recipient of an action rather than the performer of that action. This is fine, as long as one is aware of what one is doing in using the passive voice. The passive voice causes trouble mainly 1) because it confuses readers as to exactly who is doing what to whom, 2) it causes wordy sentence constructions.
All too often, however, people deliberately use the passive voice to hide facts, distract from unpleasant (or damaging) realities, or to mislead. Such cases are unfortunate extensions of the passive voice, intended to manipulate others. Awareness of language -- which we have discussed all semester -- becomes crucial at such times, in order to see who is and isn't being totally truthfull, and who may be trying to manipulate you.

The Active Voice:

What makes a phrase active?
The use of principle parts and helping verbs ("you receive something," "I give you something").
When is it used?
Whenever one wants to emphasize the performer of an action rather than the recipient of that action. Thus, one clarifies who does what to whom/what -- creating a clear line of action and relationship. Most writers prefer the active to the passive voice because it is clearer and simpler, requires fewer words, and identifies the actor and the action more explicitly.

Now, whats' the difference between THESE two phrases?

Government troops took action against the protesters.
Government troops shot at the protesters.

This time, it's a matter of informational clarity -- not simply saying "troops took action" but explicitly stating what kind of action. Active/passive voice is not simply about sentence structure. More importantly, it's also about truthfulness -- about responsability and honesty. So, simply because something is constructed using the active voice still doesn't mean that something is complete or entirely truthful. Vigilence is always a necessity.

Keeping in mind the active and passive voices,

in what daily situations -- say, on television news or in newspapers or speeches -- can you differentiate the use of each voice?
who seems to benefit from the use of either voice?
can you think of who might use either voice to an advantage, or in what situations?

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