A rose, by any other name, would still smell as sweet... (William Shakespeare)
Is there a place for the passive?
Writers of style books and many teachers, the latter perhaps influenced by the former, often advise students to “use the active voice” (see Hacker 2008; Manser 2006; Lipson 2005; Strunk and White 2000; Cook 1985) .
Now, this advice is obviously well-intentioned. When it is adhered to in a principled way, for example, it generally results in writing that is accurate, concise and easily understood.
However, when this advice is given in a manner that suggests the passive voice can not or should not be used, then the time has come to make a passionate defense of the passive.
In this paper, I will argue that the passive voice should be used in academic writing. Click on the link below for Teaching Academic Writing:
profesorbaker
