The Passive Aggressive Voice

Some companies insist on writing their formal reports in the passive voice. Instead of "we recommend," some reports read "it is recommended."

"It is recommended? Really? By whom?"

"By us, of course."

"So, we are doing the recommending?"

"Yes. Who else?"

"So, we recommend?"

"That's right."

"So why don't we just come out and say, 'We recommend'?"

A consultant should bond with the reader, make readers feel comfortable with the way the words flow, even if the words deliver an uncomfortable message.

Speaking we-to-you sets up a conversational tone. The passive voice does just the opposite. It sounds aloof, distant, stand-offish, indifferent, and at worst, condescending. "We're not going to talk with you. Rather, you shall be addressed."

Passive voice has the tone of indifference. It bespeaks lack of commitment, half-heartedness, and academic calculation. It gives the writer and the writing an attitude of cool superiority.

In short, if I were to describe the personality or voice of such writing and the writer, I'd call it passive aggressive. It comes off defensive in its avoidance of straight talk.

The active voice and the second person plural are straightfoward, honest, and committed. In a business report, they say, "This is what we know, here's what we find, therefore, this is what we recommend." Without words, it promises that we the writers stand by what we say and care enough about your success to say so.

Labels: voice, writing