active vs. passive voice

[Zuercher, Darrell]

Michelle,

Yes, "is displayed" is grammatically in the passive voice. You can get
around this by restating the step to, "Select the XYZ button to display
the EXY dialog box." That is an option. However, the bigger question is
when to adhere to these "rules" and when to relax them in order to
communicate more effectively. I have used the passive voice on occasion
when converting to active voice could only be done at the risk of
writing a more confusing sentence. For example, "Emergency condition A
results when action B is performed in situation C." There is a risk
involved by trying to put some sentences into the active voice simply to
meet some rule's requirement. It can be done, no doubt. Still, use the
rules to improve the communication, but recognize when they just get in
the way.

FWIW,

--Darrell


-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+dzuerche=tva.gov at lists.techwr-l.com
[mailto:techwr-l-bounces+dzuerche=tva.gov at lists.techwr-l.com] On Behalf
Of Michelle Vina-Baltsas
Sent: Thursday, March 27, 2008 10:52 AM
To: techwr-l at lists.techwr-l.com
Subject: active vs. passive voice

I've read many threads on this listserv related to the use of "appears" 
vs. "displays" or "is displayed". During a meeting yesterday, with my 
fellow tech writers, we had a heated discussion about whether we should 
use "is displayed" or "displays" when writing a result (For example, 
"Select the XYZ button. The EXY dialog box is displayed.") One writer 
insisted that the use of  "is displayed" should not be used because it
is 
in the passive voice. To be honest, my head was spinning so quickly that
I 
decided to refrain from offering my opinion. I did tell them I'd 
investigate though. 

Is the use of "is displayed" passive voice?

Thank you,
Michelle


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