Active versus Passive Voice

If you want to deflect the blame off yourself, use the passive voice. ("The shrimp salad became rancid after it was left out in the sun for three hours.")

If you want to blame someone, use the active voice. ("Betsy left the shrimp salad out in the sun for three hours, rendering it rancid.")

Passive: "The ambulance was called."

Active: "Betsy called the ambulance."

By using the passive voice in a memo, you are admitting guilt. Much better to just write the sentence straight on, and take what comes.

(c)2014 Suzann Kale

Tags: active voice, passive voice, business writing, writing styles, syntax