You can use active or passive voice in writing different types of texts, depending on the purpose of the writing. For example, if you are writing about the mistake made by Sarah on the group project, you can say that Sarah made a mistake. But if you are writing a story, you can say that Sarah made a wrong decision.
In scientific writing
Active voice is preferred in scientific writing. Passive voice obscures the agent of action. It also requires more words. For example, a scientist who is counting the number of cells would use the passive voice. It would be a good idea to use the first-person singular when the subject is a single person.
While some writing guides encourage using active voice in scientific papers, there are times when passive voice is appropriate. In most cases, active voice lends a scholarly tone and is preferred by most journals. It makes your writing more engaging and clear. In addition, it is more formal than passive voice.
When writing a scientific paper, verb tenses are not used like in everyday writing. In science, the past tense is used to report past events, the present tense is used for general truths, and the future tense is reserved for perspectives. Most sentences will be written in the past tense, but a few will be written in the present tense.
When choosing an appropriate voice for scientific writing, you should first decide whether active or passive voice is most appropriate for the subject. If you’re writing about an action, active voice will make your article clearer and more understandable. Passive voice will make your paper difficult to read and may confuse readers.
In non-scientific writing
In non-scientific writing, you will use active or passive voice to express certain facts. The active voice emphasizes the person who is doing something, while the passive voice focuses on the object of the action. Most style guides suggest using the active voice, because it is more concise and clear. You should balance the use of both active and passive voices.
The active voice is generally preferred when writing about a scientific topic. It makes the sentence shorter without compromising the meaning and emphasis. The passive voice, on the other hand, creates a parallel structure. When used correctly, it creates a more pleasant reading experience for the reader.
Most non-scientific writing is written using active voice. This style makes the meaning clear to the reader, and it keeps the sentences simple and easy to follow. Passive voice, on the other hand, can cloud the meaning of a sentence and obscure the message. Passive voice requires more words, and it obscures the action of the subject.
Although most journals advocate the active voice, some writing guides suggest the passive voice for non-scientific writing. Active voice is clearer, livelier, and more direct. However, it is not necessary in every instance.
In non-fiction writing
In non-fiction writing, the choice between active and passive voice is critical. The active voice is more direct and unembellished, which is the type of writing that evokes a sense of authenticity. In contrast, the passive voice conveys a message in a more indirect and circuitous way, and it makes the subject appear hidden behind the words.
The passive voice is also used when the identity of the performer is not important to the context. For example, if a murderer was betrayed by his own wife, he might use the passive voice. This kind of writing adds suspense because the reader may be uncertain who the murderer was and how the crime was committed.
The active voice is more engaging and entices the reader. The passive voice muddles the writer’s message and makes it difficult for the reader to picture the scene. It’s a common pitfall for first-time non-fiction writers. However, the active voice is the better choice for most genres.
The active voice is more engaging and inspires the reader by showing the action. The passive voice, on the other hand, isn’t as interesting to read. However, the choice between the two depends on the audience and style of writing.
In academic writing
When writing an academic paper, you will need to know when to use the active and passive voice. Both writing styles have their benefits and drawbacks. You can use the active voice when you’re establishing the importance of a particular term or concept. For example, if you’re reducing the risk of liver cancer, you can use the active voice. But there are some instances in which passive voice is the better choice.
Active voice is generally clearer and more direct than passive voice. It’s also more concise and has a greater impact on the reader. Academic writing guides typically suggest the active voice. It’s best to use the active voice when you’re laying out a complex idea. In contrast, passive voice works well in the methods section of a research paper. You’ll want to make sure that readers understand how you conducted your research, not who conducted it.
Use the passive voice when the action is not emphasized. For example, in “Sarah’s car was stolen on Sunday night,” the subject is not explicitly mentioned. This is because the speaker wants to emphasize an action, rather than a bad event. A good example of a passive sentence would be, “Scientists have developed efficient quantum-encrypted message transmission.”
While passive voice makes your writing sound more direct, it can also be more interesting by adding an element of intrigue. When you use the passive voice, you can also avoid the repetition of words.
In formal writing
Active and passive voice play different roles in formal writing. In a manuscript, for example, active voice is better for laying out complex concepts, while passive voice is better for focusing on what is happening rather than who is doing the work. Passive voice is appropriate in methods sections, where it is more important to focus on the steps that were taken to conduct a research project.
Active voice is used when the action of the verb is performed by a subject. In passive voice, the subject does not need to be mentioned. For example, if you are describing a technological breakthrough, you can write “scientists have developed an efficient quantum-encrypted message transmission system.”
When writing in the active voice, the subject usually follows the verb. The subject is not always included in the action, but the action may occur. If the subject is absent, the reader will be confused about who performed the action. Using active voice instead of passive voice makes the writing more readable and compelling.
Active voice is more direct and is preferred in academic writing. Academic and scientific papers use it the most. It allows scientists to discuss what they did during their experiments without highlighting their own perspectives. It also helps maintain objectivity and keeps the tone of the text objective.
In informal writing
When writing a narrative in informal writing, you can choose between passive and active voice. In the former, the subject of the action does the action, while in the latter, the action is the subject. For example, if you are writing about a cake that Julie baked, you would use the passive voice.
In formal writing, the active voice is used more often than the passive one. Using this form of voice is useful for emphasizing different parts of the sentence or to follow the information principle. However, it should not be the default choice. Instead, it should be chosen sparingly when appropriate.
Using active voice is more clear to the audience. While some writers break this rule for rhetorical reasons, it is generally best to use active voice in most instances. In case you don’t know which voice you should use, you can always try reading the sentence out loud. If it sounds awkward, you should switch back to passive voice.
Passive voice can be used to describe everyday situations and activities. However, the active voice is more natural when it comes to writing about your life. Passive voice allows you to deemphasize the agent and absolve yourself of responsibility. In addition, passive voice gives you more options to vary your sentences.
