Open Draft - with Fabio Cerpelloni "Avoid the Passive Voice" Is Nonsense (rant😅)
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Jul 12, 2024 Challenging the notion of avoiding the passive voice in writing, showcasing examples where it can enhance clarity and impact in writing.
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Blanket Advice To Avoid Passive Voice Is Useless
- The blanket rule "avoid the passive voice" is meaningless without context.
- Passive constructions exist because the language provides them to fulfill specific functions like focus and emphasis.
Stephen King Uses Passive To Focus On Reading
- Fabio reads Stephen King sentences to show deliberate passive use for focus.
- Example: "Reading at meals is considered rude in polite society" centers reading, not the actor.
Passive Voice Shifts Focus To The Receiver
- Use passive when you want to focus on the receiver of an action, not the doer.
- Example: "If the tale is done well and stays fresh" highlights the tale, not the writer.