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Patti Petersen's avatar

Haha, I struggled with active and passive voice EVERY SINGLE WEEK for over a year. I used Grammarly for spell check and punctuation. It always gave the passive voice prompt. I drove me insane. One day I sat down and wrote out 30 or 40 sentences to understand the difference between the two. It finally made sense. Here's the thing. Passive voice is the default in my head, or maybe from my head to the keyboard, who knows? Haha, it is an ongoing struggle, but now I catch myself.

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Jan Stoneburner's avatar

Thanks, Patti, for letting me know about Grammarly. I’m going to check that out. Just remember the subject does the verb in active voice. I love your writing so don’t change a thing. {{Hug}}

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Karen Howells's avatar

Always love your grammar posts ... fun and educational. I rarely use the passive voice, as I find it can become "passive aggressive." I did use the passive voice occasionally as labor relations negotiator (several years as a Union representative and several years as a Management representative).

There is an interesting intentional and effective use of active and passive in the Gospel of Mark. In the first part of Mark's Gospel it's primarily active ... Jesus went here, Jesus cured the sick, Jesus did thus and so. For the "passion story" it changes to passive... Jesus was stripped of his garments, Jesus was crucified.

Thanks Jan ... informative and fun. 🤠

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Jan Stoneburner's avatar

Oh, Karen — thanks for sharing the info about the use of voices in the Gospel of Mark. So interesting!!! Xoxo

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Colleen's avatar

Loved it! Been sharing your grammar lessons with our homeschool group! FYI we've used Warriner’s English Grammar and Composition in our homeschool curriculum, unfortunately my boys weren't fans and we switched to something a little less strenuous.

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Jan Stoneburner's avatar

Thanks, Colleen! I had someone say they couldn’t believe I embarrass myself doing the lessons, but I’m having fun. Now I’m glad to know they are useful to your group. {{Hugs}}

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