Passive Voice in English and Spanish

Question

In English, the passive voice is frowned upon in use (I know I used it there - the irony is not lost). Is it the same in Spanish?

Answer 1

Who frowns upon the passive voice in English? I believe it is still perfectly acceptable.

They built the house in 1945. The house was built in 1945. I'd say the passive voice is used more frequently in English in contexts like these.

I don't believe that the passive voice (ser+past participle) is frowned upon in Spanish either. It is just used less frequently because they have another way of expressing the passive voice that is more common (passive se).

• In English, it frowned upon when you have a specfied subject . For example it is better he hit the ball instead of the ball was hit by him. - BellaMargari Nov 7, 2009
• Then it's frowned upon in certain contexts. I can accept that. - qfreed Nov 7, 2009

Answer 2

Who frowns upon the passive voice in English?

Strunk & White, among others.

• who are they?? - Heidita Nov 7, 2009

Answer 3

The passive voice IS frowned uppon in English. It's used alot colloquially, but in writing it is to be avoided. In Spanish, this is not the case. It is perfectly acceptable to use it. But as the previous response said, it's more common to use the reflexive passive.

• I have a few hundred technical books in my office primarily written in the passive voice. - lorenzo9 Nov 7, 2009

Answer 4

who are they??

Strunk wrote a book called The Elements of Style in 1918 which many consider to be the Bible of American grammar, and White revised it. We had to read it in school.