tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13713642.post115480575148803765..comments2024-03-28T11:03:41.050-05:00Comments on Unlocked Wordhoard: Passive Voice Should Be Avoided, Especially in Blog Post TitlesDr. Richard Scott Nokeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01348275071082514870noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13713642.post-7134661805092081592008-02-19T15:50:00.000-06:002008-02-19T15:50:00.000-06:00I don't think we should be ruled (in stylistic mat...I don't think we should be ruled (in stylistic matters) by teachers of Freshman Comp. Don't they have a distorted perspective, simply by massive exposure to bad writing? <BR/><BR/>There, I used the passive, just like the original post did ("should be tortured in hell.. by being forced to") In fact, it is impossible to attack the pasive voice in blogposts of more than 30 words without using the passive voice several times.Jonathanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09371893596402673898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13713642.post-1156285343313195992006-08-22T17:22:00.000-05:002006-08-22T17:22:00.000-05:00I realize that I'm a day late and a dollar short o...I realize that I'm a day late and a dollar short on this post, but I have to defend passive voice.<BR/><BR/>As a legal writer, I use active voice when I want to emphasize, usually in a positive sense, a particular point. However, if I have to concede a point I don't particuarly like, I will use passive voice, in order to de-emphasize the point and make it seem weaker.<BR/><BR/>Which is stronger: John Doe then hired a hitman to kill his wife.<BR/>Or<BR/>Then John Doe had his wife killed.<BR/><BR/>Perhaps not the best example, but the best I could come up with on the spur of the moment. I think it still illustrates the point.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13713642.post-1155728405124917922006-08-16T06:40:00.000-05:002006-08-16T06:40:00.000-05:00It isn't really a matter of taste, so much as a ma...It isn't really a matter of taste, so much as a matter of communicating some clear ideas. As Languagehat correctly noted, "the problem is not use of the passive, it's bad use of the passive." I've yet to see the bad use of *active* in a freshman paper. Usually in active voice the problem is something else. Usually in passive voice the problem is ... passive voice.<BR/><BR/>And, no, it's never the thought that counts in writing, it is always the words that count. Every semester, I have this conversation with a student:<BR/><BR/>Me: This sentence doesn't make any sense. You appear to be saying here that if A=B, and B=C, then A does no equal C.<BR/><BR/>Student: But that's not what I *meant* to say!<BR/><BR/>Me: But that's what you wrote.<BR/><BR/>I once had a student who wrote a paper about Attention Defecate Disorder (sic). Why are you laughing? Because it's not the thought that counts; it's the words actually used.Dr. Richard Scott Nokeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01348275071082514870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13713642.post-1155712474436621342006-08-16T02:14:00.000-05:002006-08-16T02:14:00.000-05:00Wrongfully accused!What is it with passives that d...Wrongfully accused!<BR/><BR/>What is it with passives that dont suit your taste? Passive or Active its the main thought that counts. Don't you think?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13713642.post-1154868659754008742006-08-06T07:50:00.000-05:002006-08-06T07:50:00.000-05:00Is there an irregular way to split 'em?Is there an irregular way to split 'em?deariemehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06654632450454559188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13713642.post-1154820266807366262006-08-05T18:24:00.000-05:002006-08-05T18:24:00.000-05:00I am reminded (!) of an article a former English t...I am reminded (!) of an article a former English teacher of mine had posted in a prominent place in his classroom. <BR/><BR/>The headline read, "To fully inflame purists, aim to regularly split infinitives."Ecce Equus Pallidushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17636956975047785616noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13713642.post-1154814958160659042006-08-05T16:55:00.000-05:002006-08-05T16:55:00.000-05:00Indeed. The passive is to be discouraged.Indeed. The passive is to be discouraged.deariemehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06654632450454559188noreply@blogger.com