THE ROLE OF CONTEXT IN CHOOSING BETWEEN PASSIVE AND ACTIVE VOICE IN ENGLISH WRITING
Keywords:
Active voice, Passive voice, English writing, Contextual factors, Writing style, Rhetorical strategy, Genre, Audience expectations, Academic writing, Clarity in writingAbstract
The choice between passive and active voice in English writing is not merely a matter of grammar, but one deeply influenced by context, purpose, and audience. While active voice often enhances clarity and directness, passive constructions serve essential rhetorical functions such as emphasizing results over agents or maintaining objectivity. This paper explores how contextual factors—including genre, discipline, intent, and reader expectations—guide the appropriate use of voice in written communication. By analyzing various writing scenarios and examples, the study highlights that effective writing requires a strategic balance rather than a strict preference for one voice over the other.
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