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AppleFanboy Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
active or passive voice?
The ability to make such estimates(how long you need together in appointment) improves with practice.
Can I use passive voice in this sentence since ability can be improved by practice? And why is active voice used here?
Can I use passive voice in this sentence since ability can be improved by practice? And why is active voice used here?
Top answer
Either voice works here. My feeling is that the active voice makes the improvement more automatic, more inherent. The passive implies that the person is more involved in the act of improving.
- Either voice works here.
- My feeling is that the active voice makes the improvement more automatic, more inherent.
- The passive implies that the person is more involved in the act of improving.
- [ I realize that's a bit ironic, given the general uses of the passive voice.
- ]
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2 Answers
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Either voice works here. My feeling is that the active voice makes the improvement more automatic, more inherent. The passive implies that the person is more involved in the act of improving. [ I realize that's a bit ironic, given the general uses of the passive voice. ]
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The ability to make such estimates improves with practice. (Active voice. If you practice, your ability will improve.)
The ability to make such estimates is improved by practice. (Passive voice. Practice is an agent which causes improvement.)
I think the better sentence is the active voice. It puts the responsibility on the person.
The ability to make such estimates is improved by practice. (Passive voice. Practice is an agent which causes improvement.)
I think the better sentence is the active voice. It puts the responsibility on the person.
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