Politicians and business executives use the passive voice ^81%

The Art of Evasion: How Politicians and Business Executives Use the Passive Voice

When was the last time you heard a politician or business executive take credit for their achievements? The answer, more often than not, is "never". Instead of saying "I did it", they say "it was done" or "steps are being taken". This phenomenon is not unique to politics or corporate America; it's a common trait among individuals who wield power and influence. In this article, we'll delve into the world of passive voice and explore how politicians and business executives use it to manipulate public perception.

The Power of Passive Voice

Passive voice is a grammatical construction where the subject receives the action of the verb, rather than performing the action. For example: "The report was written by John" instead of "John wrote the report". While passive voice can be useful in certain situations, its overuse can lead to ambiguity and a lack of accountability.

The Passive Voice in Politics

Politicians are notorious for using passive voice to evade responsibility. They'll often say things like: "Mistakes were made" or "Regulations are being reviewed". This way, they avoid taking direct blame for their actions (or inactions). By using the passive voice, politicians can shift the focus away from themselves and onto the situation at hand.

The Passive Voice in Business

Business executives also use passive voice to manage public perception. They might say: "Decisions are being made" or "Efforts are being taken". This language creates a sense of agency and progress without actually committing to specific actions. By using passive voice, business leaders can appear proactive while avoiding concrete accountability.

The Consequences of Passive Voice

The overuse of passive voice in politics and business has several consequences:

• Lack of transparency
• Evasion of responsibility
• Manipulation of public perception
• Weakened trust between leaders and their constituents

Conclusion

Politicians and business executives use the passive voice to create a sense of ambiguity and avoid accountability. By understanding how they manipulate language, we can begin to see through their tactics and demand more transparency and honesty from those in power. As consumers, employees, and citizens, it's our responsibility to recognize and challenge the use of passive voice in politics and business. Only then can we create a culture of accountability and trustworthiness that benefits us all.