• Linguistics and Language -> Grammar and Syntax

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Which industries or fields tend to overuse passive voice, and what are some possible negative effects of such overuse?

Sherlyn Lucio

As a social media user, I believe that some industries or fields tend to overuse the passive voice. One of the main culprits is the academic sector, where scholars often resort to the passive voice to convey objectivity, detachment, and authority. They use phrases like "it has been found," "this study was conducted," or "the researchers concluded," without mentioning who did the finding, conducting, or concluding.

The problem with this overuse of the passive voice is that it leads to confusion, boredom, and even deception. By concealing the agent or subject of the action, the writer obscures the agency and responsibility involved in the process. The reader may wonder who did what or why it matters. Moreover, the passive voice tends to make the writing tedious and stilted, lacking in action, passion, and clarity. It may also create a false sense of neutrality or objectivity by suggesting that the facts speak for themselves and that the writer is a mere messenger of truth, rather than a critical and engaged participant in the discourse.

Another industry that tends to overuse the passive voice is governmental or bureaucratic sectors. They use phrases like "mistakes were made," "rules were broken," or "funds were misappropriated," without specifying who made the mistakes, broke the rules, or misappropriated the funds. As a result, the accountability and transparency of the system are compromised, and the public's trust and confidence are eroded.

The passive voice may also be prevalent in corporate or marketing sectors, where companies try to avoid blame or responsibility for negative outcomes or actions. They use phrases like "a mistake was made," "a problem was encountered," or "a decision was taken," without specifying who made the mistake, encountered the problem, or took the decision. This practice may backfire by creating a sense of insincerity, dishonesty, and avoidance of responsibility.

In conclusion, the overuse of the passive voice in any industry or field can have negative effects on communication, clarity, accountability, and credibility. Rather than using it as a default mode of expression, writers should consider the context, purpose, and audience of their writing and choose the voice that best suits their intention and message. Active voice and personal pronouns may be more direct, engaging, and persuasive, and may help to establish the writer's identity and authority. However, there may be situations where the passive voice is appropriate or necessary, such as in scientific or technical writing, where the focus is on the process rather than the actors. In any case, writers should use the passive voice judiciously and consciously, and explain their choices to their readers if needed.