List of Popular Books that use Passive Voice

Below is a list of authors and famous books that often used passive voice:

William Shakespeare:

• "Hamlet" - e.g., "To be or not to be, that is the question."
• "Romeo and Juliet" - e.g., "A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life."

J.D. Salinger:

• "The Catcher in the Rye" - e.g., "I was surrounded by phonies."

Jane Austen:

• "Pride and Prejudice" - e.g., "It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."

George Orwell:

• "1984" - e.g., "It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen."

Harper Lee:

• "To Kill a Mockingbird" - e.g., "It was times like these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any wars, was the bravest man who ever lived."

F. Scott Fitzgerald:

• "The Great Gatsby" - e.g., "They were careless people, Tom and Daisy—they smashed up things and creatures and then retreated back into their money or their vast carelessness, or whatever it was that kept them together, and let other people clean up the mess they had made."

Charles Dickens:

• "A Tale of Two Cities" - e.g., "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."

Mark Twain:

• "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" - e.g., "I was a-trembling, because I'd got to decide, forever, betwixt two things, and I knowed it."

Emily Brontë:

• "Wuthering Heights" - e.g., "I have dreamt in my life, dreams that have stayed with me ever after, and changed my ideas; they have gone through and through me, like wine through water, and altered the color of my mind."

Ernest Hemingway:

• "The Old Man and the Sea" - e.g., "He was an old man who fished alone in a skiff in the Gulf Stream."

Virginia Woolf:

• "Mrs. Dalloway" - e.g., "She had the perpetual sense, as she watched the taxi cabs, of being out, out, far out to sea and alone."

Toni Morrison:

• "Beloved" - e.g., "124 was spiteful. Full of a baby's venom."

Leo Tolstoy:

• "Anna Karenina" - e.g., "Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way."

Joseph Heller:

• "Catch-22" - e.g., "It was love at first sight. The first time Yossarian saw the chaplain he fell madly in love with him."

Herman Melville:

• "Moby-Dick" - e.g., "Whenever I find myself growing grim about the mouth; whenever it is a damp, drizzly November in my soul."

Nathaniel Hawthorne:

• "The Scarlet Letter" - e.g., "It was the scarlet letter, blazing forth on his breast."

Oscar Wilde:

• "The Picture of Dorian Gray" - e.g., "He was conscious of the terrible pleasure that he had brought on himself."

Aldous Huxley:

• "Brave New World" - e.g., "It was a relief to be told what to do."

Charlotte Brontë:

• "Jane Eyre" - e.g., "It was three o'clock; the church bell tolled as I passed under the belfry."

John Steinbeck:

• "Of Mice and Men" - e.g., "A few miles south of Soledad, the Salinas River drops in close to the hillside bank and runs deep and green."

These are just a few examples of authors and famous books that have used passive voice. Passive voice can be employed as a stylistic choice to convey certain tones or perspectives within a narrative.


Why do Modern Authors often Dislike Passive Voice?

The preference for active voice over passive voice is a common recommendation in modern writing and is often emphasized in writing workshops and style guides. There are several reasons why contemporary writers tend to look down on the use of passive voice, despite its presence in many classic books. Here are a few key explanations:

1. Clarity and directness: Active voice is generally considered more direct and straightforward. It places the subject of the sentence as the "doer" of the action, making the sentence structure clearer and easier to follow. Active voice often leads to more concise and engaging writing, as it keeps the focus on the subject performing the action.

2. Engaging the reader: Active voice tends to create a stronger connection between the reader and the narrative. By using active voice, writers can convey a sense of immediacy and involvement, allowing readers to experience events more vividly. Passive voice, on the other hand, can create a sense of detachment or passivity, which may hinder the reader's engagement with the text.

3. Style and tone: Many contemporary writers value a dynamic and energetic writing style. Active voice contributes to a sense of liveliness and movement in the narrative. It often lends itself well to action sequences, dialogue, and engaging storytelling. On the other hand, passive voice can sometimes be perceived as more formal, distant, or bureaucratic, which may not align with the desired tone or style of many modern works.

4. Varying sentence structures: Overuse of passive voice can lead to monotonous sentence structures, where the subject of the sentence is often omitted or de-emphasized. In contrast, active voice allows for more sentence variety, which can enhance the rhythm, flow, and overall readability of a piece of writing.

However, it's important to note that the disdain for passive voice in contemporary writing doesn't mean that passive voice should never be used. Passive voice can still serve a purpose in specific contexts, such as when the focus is on the recipient of the action rather than the doer, or to create a sense of objectivity or formality. Moreover, as seen in classic literature, passive voice has been used effectively by renowned authors to convey specific narrative effects and to suit the stylistic preferences of their time.

Ultimately, the decision to use passive or active voice should be based on the writer's intent, the context of the narrative, and the desired impact on the reader.

 

What are some advantages to using passive voice?

While active voice is generally preferred in most writing situations, there are still some advantages to using passive voice in specific contexts. Here are a few advantages of using passive voice:

1. Shifting the focus: Passive voice allows the writer to shift the focus from the doer of the action to the receiver or object of the action. This can be useful when the emphasis is on the result or impact of the action rather than the agent performing it. It can create a sense of mystery or intrigue by withholding the doer of the action.

2. Politeness or diplomacy: Passive voice can be employed to convey politeness or soften the impact of a statement. By omitting or downplaying the doer of the action, passive voice can be used to discuss sensitive or delicate topics without explicitly assigning blame or responsibility.

3. Objectivity and formality: In some cases, passive voice can lend an air of objectivity or formality to the writing. By removing the subject or doer of the action, it can create a more impersonal tone, which can be appropriate in certain academic, scientific, or technical writing contexts.

4. Variation in sentence structure: Active voice dominates most writing, and excessive use can result in repetitive sentence structures. Passive voice offers a way to vary the structure of sentences, adding diversity and interest to the writing.

5. Stylistic choice: Some writers intentionally use passive voice to achieve a specific stylistic effect. It can contribute to a slower pace, create a sense of detachment, or evoke a particular mood or atmosphere in the narrative.

It's important to note that while there are advantages to using passive voice in certain situations, its usage should be judicious and intentional. Overuse of passive voice can lead to wordiness, unclear communication, and a lack of directness. It's crucial to consider the context, purpose, and desired effect of the writing when deciding whether to use active or passive voice.

 

Does Yoda use passive voice?

Yoda, the wise and iconic character from the Star Wars franchise, often uses a form of speech known as Yoda-speak or Yodish. Yoda-speak is characterized by an unusual sentence structure that can sometimes resemble passive voice or employ inverted word order. Here are a few examples of Yoda-speak:

1. "Do or do not. There is no try."
2. "Fear is the path to the dark side. Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering."
3. "Judge me by my size, do you?"
4. "Named must your fear be before banish it you can."

While Yoda-speak may occasionally resemble passive voice due to its unique sentence structure, it is important to note that Yoda-speak is not a strict adherence to passive voice rules. It primarily reflects Yoda's distinctive speech pattern, which has become an iconic part of his character. Yoda's speech often places emphasis on wisdom, riddles, and conveying profound ideas in a poetic and unconventional manner.

 

Passive Character Voices

Characters in stories can and should use passive voice if it aligns with their speech patterns, personality, or narrative purpose. Here are a few reasons why characters might frequently use passive voice:

1. Authenticity and consistency: Characters, like real people, have unique ways of speaking that reflect their background, personality, and upbringing. If a character's established traits or background suggest a tendency towards passive voice usage, using passive voice can contribute to their authenticity and consistency. It helps create a distinct voice for the character and reinforces their individuality.

2. Cultural or linguistic influence: Characters from different cultures, regions, or time periods may naturally gravitate towards passive voice due to specific language conventions or speech patterns. For example, characters from formal or traditional societies, or those influenced by bureaucratic or hierarchical structures, might use passive voice as it reflects their cultural norms and linguistic habits.

3. Expressing passivity or powerlessness: The consistent use of passive voice by a character can convey a sense of passivity or powerlessness, highlighting their vulnerability or lack of control in a given situation. This can be effective in storytelling, as it adds depth to the character's emotional state, internal conflicts, or external challenges they face.

4. Stylistic choices and narrative effects: Characters with a poetic or introspective nature might naturally use passive voice as it can create a more reflective or contemplative tone. Additionally, in certain genres like gothic or atmospheric storytelling, passive voice can contribute to the desired mood or atmosphere, enhancing the reader's immersion in the narrative.

5. Plot or thematic relevance: In some cases, a character's frequent use of passive voice might serve a specific narrative purpose or thematic element. For example, a character struggling with a sense of identity or agency might employ passive voice to reflect their internal conflicts or feelings of being acted upon by external forces.

It's important to consider the balance and purpose behind a character's use of passive voice. While it can add depth and authenticity, it should be used judiciously to avoid hindering clarity or creating a burdensome reading experience. Ultimately, the consistent use of passive voice by a character should serve a narrative or character-driven purpose and contribute to the overall storytelling objectives.