Language users, many a time, are not direct in their conversations. They are usually diplomatic in their choice of words. Often, interlocutors adopt a diplomatic strategy to avoid the responsibilities that go with what they say, especially if the utterances later generate controversy. In the Nigerian context, there have been individuals who used “I was quoted out of context” to exonerate themselves of the consequences that trailed their comments. Among the strategies that speakers/writers employ to make themselves noncommittal to what they say/write, the use of passive voice stands out. Traditionally, voice in grammar refers to how the verb affects the subject of a sentence. It determines whether the subject acts or is acted upon. When the subject acts in a sentence, the voice is active. In this case, the sentence structure is usually SVO (Subject+Verb+Object). The subject (which may be a noun, pronoun, noun phrase or noun clause) is the actual performer of the action (verb) in the sentence, as in:
i. Uche trained bankers (Uche – Subject; trained – Verb; bankers – Object).
ii. Gambo designs cars (Gambo – Subject; designs – Verb; cars – Object).
iii. The woman bought a bag (The woman – Subject; bought – Verb; a bag – Object).
In each example, the subject performs the action, while the object receives the action. The sentences are simple, clear and straightforward. Using active voice in writing will therefore make the writing natural, vivid and direct. It will give the write-up greater credibility and impact.
In a sentence with passive voice, the object (receiver) is placed in the subject position while the subject (doer) is placed at the end of the sentence. At times, the subject is deleted from the sentence, as in:
i. Bankers were trained by Uche.
Or
Bankers were trained.
ii. A bag was bought by the woman.
Or
A bag was bought.
Speakers/writers use passive voice when:
1. they are not sure who/what the subject was, e.g.
“The objection remained undetermined” (by who?).
2. the action is more important than who performed it, e.g.
“The judgement of conviction was delivered on 20 November, 2025”.
3. they do not want to say who/what performed the action, e.g.
“Many members of the party were accused of being part of the current national problem” (who accused the members?).
4. they do not take responsibility, e.g.
“These disputes, spanning leadership, structure, discipline and ideology, have been allowed to fester without any clear or credible pathway to resolution” (in which the speaker uses “have been allowed” for self-exoneration).
From the foregoing, the use of passive voice can put one at risk of producing a speech/text that is wordy and less clear. Since the purpose of speaking/writing is to communicate in a natural, organised, impactful and concise manner, candidates sitting for examinations such as WASSCE, NECO and IELTS should, as much as possible, use less passive voice and more active voice in their writing.
Lateef Iyanda Kugbayi, PhD
Senior Lecturer
Department of English Language
Zamfara State University
Talata Mafara
[email protected]/+2347032985052
