Politicians and business executives use the passive voice ^81%

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• Pros: 3
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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.

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Pros

Politicians and business executives rarely use the active voice in writing ^{68% (+95)}

Active voice is more commonly used in formal education ^{89% (+60)}

Formal communications use the passive construction ^{57% (+24)}

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Politicians and business executives rarely use the active voice in writing ^68%

Impact:

+95

The way some individuals communicate may create a more formal tone, which is often preferred for official or professional purposes. This formality can lead to the use of complex sentence structures that may not emphasize personal agency. As a result, certain grammatical constructions become more prevalent in certain contexts. Formal writing styles are commonly associated with higher levels of authority and expertise, which may contribute to this phenomenon.

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Active voice is more commonly used in formal education ^89%

Impact:

+60

In academic settings, educators often employ active voice to clearly convey complex ideas and maintain a sense of authority. This style is particularly well-suited for conveying detailed information and ensuring clarity. The use of active voice helps readers follow the train of thought and understand the subject matter more easily. Furthermore, active voice can create a sense of objectivity and impartiality in academic writing. As a result, it has become a standard feature of formal educational texts.

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Formal communications use the passive construction ^57%

Impact:

+24

In formal settings, a more polished tone is often achieved through the strategic use of language. The passive voice allows writers to convey information in a neutral or objective manner, which can be particularly effective when discussing complex issues or sensitive topics. This approach helps to avoid direct blame or responsibility, and instead focuses on the action itself rather than who performed it. As a result, formal communications often employ the passive construction to maintain a professional and diplomatic tone. This style is commonly found in official documents, business reports, and diplomatic correspondence.

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Cons

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• Created by: Adriana Ferreira
• Created at: Nov. 24, 2024, 1:17 p.m.
• ID: 16185

Politicians and business executives rarely use the active voice in writing ^68%
68%


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Using passive voice hinders effective communication skills ^44%
44%


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Active voice is clearer than passive voice ^69%
69%


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Active voice is more effective than passive voice ^32%
32%


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The overuse of passive voice makes text hard to understand ^82%
82%


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Businesses use online lending platforms ^30%
30%


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Lack of planning can hinder successful business execution ^69%
69%


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Many businesses use mobile apps for marketing purposes ^69%
69%


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Some businesses even use push notifications for reminders ^70%
70%


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Voice assistants use text to speech ^25%
25%