Passive Voice                                        Back to Tips

Source: Lee Hood, University of Colorado

Drawbacks:

1)  It takes longer to say.

Example: "When the police officer identified himself, Bagwell aimed the gun at him and was immediately shot in the arm by the police officer."

(How about… "When the officer identified himself, the suspect aimed a gun at him. The officer shot the suspect in the arm.")

2)  It doesn't say who did what to whom.

Examples:

-- "An education fair will be held Sunday at the County Courthouse."

(not very interesting…also, who's holding the fair?)

-- (about a criminal investigation)  "So far, dozens of people have been interviewed and only a few remain." (interviewed by whom?)

-- "The daughter of Boulder District Attorney May Keenan was arrested early Saturday morning on suspicion of drinking and driving." (arrested by whom?)

-- "A would-be heist was averted yesterday at the Denver Postal Credit Union in Arvada." (Who averted the heist is an interesting part of the story.  How about, "A police officer on his lunch break stopped a robbery attempt in Arvada…")

When to use it:

1)  When the actor (the "by whom") is obvious.

     Example: He was sentenced to 21 years in prison…

            vs. the active, A judge sentenced him…

2)  When the object of the action is more important and you want it first.

Examples:

-- (story about Drew Wahlroos being assaulted)

"Wahlroos was assaulted by five Nebraska fans…"

-- "The number 25 Colorado volleyball team was swept last night by unranked Texas."

3)  When it references your video quicker

Examples: (first line of video) "Kappa Alpha Theta is no longer being investigated for hazing."  (so the video of the sorority house is referenced immediately)

-- "The mural was organized by "Stop Hate," a campus group that…" (video of mural)