Passive and impassive are two words that are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings that are important to understand. The difference between these two words can be subtle, but it can have a significant impact on the way that your writing is perceived. In this article, we will explore the differences between passive and impassive, and when it is appropriate to use each one.
Let’s define what we mean by passive and impassive. Passive is an adjective that describes something that is not active or is acted upon rather than acting. Impassive, on the other hand, describes something that is not showing emotion or is not easily moved by emotion. While these two words may seem similar, they have very different connotations.
So, which of these words is the proper word to use? The answer is that it depends on what you are trying to convey. If you are describing something that is not actively doing anything, then passive is the appropriate word to use. For example, “The ball was thrown by the pitcher” is a passive sentence because the ball is not actively doing anything. It is being acted upon by the pitcher.
On the other hand, if you are describing someone who is not showing emotion or is not easily moved by emotion, then impassive is the appropriate word to use. For example, “The poker player’s impassive expression gave nothing away about the strength of his hand.” In this sentence, impassive is used to describe the player’s lack of emotion.
It is important to use the correct word in the correct context because it can impact the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. In the following sections, we will delve deeper into the differences between passive and impassive and provide examples of when to use each one.
Define Passive
Passive refers to the state of being inactive or not taking action. It can be used to describe a person who is submissive or lacks initiative. In grammar, the passive voice is a construction where the subject of a sentence is acted upon, rather than performing the action. For example, “The ball was thrown by John” is a passive construction, whereas “John threw the ball” is active.
Define Impassive
Impassive refers to the state of being unemotional or not showing emotion. It can be used to describe a person who is stoic or indifferent. In medical terms, it can refer to a lack of response to stimuli. For example, an impassive facial expression may indicate a lack of emotion or interest in a situation.
How To Properly Use The Words In A Sentence
When it comes to writing, it’s important to use the right words in the right context. This not only ensures that your message is clear and concise, but it also helps you to convey the appropriate tone and meaning. In this section, we’ll explore how to use the words ‘passive’ and ‘impassive’ in a sentence.
How To Use ‘Passive’ In A Sentence
The word ‘passive’ is often used to describe something that is not active or is not taking action. In grammar, it is also used to describe a type of sentence where the subject is being acted upon, rather than performing the action. Here are some examples of how to use ‘passive’ in a sentence:
- The flowers were watered by the gardener. (passive sentence)
- She was passive in the face of criticism. (adjective)
- He has a passive attitude towards life. (adjective)
As you can see from these examples, ‘passive’ can be used as both an adjective and in a passive sentence. In both cases, it conveys a sense of inactivity or lack of action.
How To Use ‘Impassive’ In A Sentence
The word ‘impassive’ is used to describe someone who is not showing emotion or is not affected by something. It is often used to describe facial expressions or body language. Here are some examples of how to use ‘impassive’ in a sentence:
- Despite the bad news, she remained impassive. (adjective)
- His impassive expression gave nothing away. (adjective)
- She tried to remain impassive during the interview. (adverb)
As you can see, ‘impassive’ is used as both an adjective and an adverb. It is often used to describe someone who is stoic or unemotional in the face of difficult situations.
More Examples Of Passive & Impassive Used In Sentences
In this section, we will provide examples of how to use passive and impassive in a sentence. Understanding the correct usage of these terms is essential in effective communication.
Examples Of Using Passive In A Sentence
- The car was driven by John.
- The book was written by a famous author.
- The cake was baked by my sister.
- The letter was delivered by the postman.
- The house was built by a renowned architect.
- The movie was directed by a well-known filmmaker.
- The painting was created by a talented artist.
- The report was prepared by the research team.
- The project was completed by the software developers.
- The speech was given by the keynote speaker.
Passive voice is used when the focus is on the action and not on the person who performed the action. In the above examples, the emphasis is on the action performed rather than the person who performed it.
Examples Of Using Impassive In A Sentence
- He remained impassive during the entire conversation.
- The judge’s impassive expression did not reveal his thoughts.
- The soldier’s face was impassive as he stood at attention.
- The doctor’s voice remained impassive as he delivered the news.
- Her impassive demeanor hid her true emotions.
- The politician’s impassive response to the criticism was surprising.
- The teacher’s impassive tone conveyed disappointment.
- The detective’s impassive questioning unnerved the suspect.
- Despite the chaos, the police officer’s face remained impassive.
- The CEO’s impassive reaction to the company’s failure was unsettling.
Impassive is used to describe someone who shows no emotion or reaction to a situation. In the above examples, the individuals remained calm and composed despite the circumstances.
Common Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to writing, using the passive and impassive voice interchangeably is a common mistake that many people make. While these two voices may seem similar, they are actually quite different and should not be used interchangeably. Here are some common mistakes people make when using passive and impassive interchangeably, along with explanations of why they are incorrect and tips on how to avoid making these mistakes in the future.
1. Confusing The Passive And Impassive Voice
One of the most common mistakes people make is confusing the passive and impassive voice. While both voices are used to describe actions without mentioning who did them, they are used in different contexts. The passive voice is used when the focus is on the action being done, while the impassive voice is used when the focus is on the person or thing doing the action.
For example, consider the following sentences:
- Passive voice: The cake was baked by the chef.
- Impassive voice: The chef baked the cake.
In the first sentence, the focus is on the cake being baked, while in the second sentence, the focus is on the chef doing the baking. Confusing these two voices can lead to confusion and ambiguity in your writing.
To avoid this mistake, make sure you understand the difference between the passive and impassive voice and use them appropriately. If you are unsure which voice to use, consider the focus of your sentence and choose the voice that best conveys that focus.
2. Overusing The Passive Voice
Another common mistake people make is overusing the passive voice. While the passive voice can be useful in certain contexts, such as when the focus is on the action being done rather than the person doing it, overusing this voice can make your writing sound weak and unclear.
For example, consider the following sentence:
- Passive voice: The report was written by the team.
This sentence is grammatically correct, but it is also weak and unclear. Who is the team? What did they write the report for? To make this sentence clearer and more concise, it would be better to use the active voice:
- Active voice: The team wrote the report.
To avoid overusing the passive voice, try to use the active voice whenever possible. The active voice is usually clearer, more concise, and more engaging than the passive voice.
Context Matters
When it comes to choosing between passive and impassive, context is a crucial factor that needs to be considered. The decision of which one to use can depend on the situation and the message that needs to be conveyed. In some cases, one may be more appropriate than the other.
Examples Of Different Contexts
Let’s take a look at some examples of different contexts and how the choice between passive and impassive might change:
Scientific writing
In scientific writing, the passive voice is often preferred. This is because it allows the writer to focus on the subject matter and the results, rather than the individuals or groups responsible for the research. For example:
- Passive: The experiment was conducted to test the hypothesis.
- Impassive: We conducted the experiment to test the hypothesis.
Using the passive voice in this context helps to maintain objectivity and avoid bias.
News reporting
In news reporting, the active voice is often preferred. This is because it helps to create a sense of urgency and immediacy. For example:
- Passive: The bank was robbed yesterday.
- Impassive: Yesterday, a robbery took place at the bank.
Using the active voice in this context helps to engage the reader and convey the importance of the event.
Academic writing
In academic writing, both passive and active voices can be used depending on the situation. The passive voice is often used when the focus is on the object of the sentence, rather than the subject. For example:
- Passive: The results of the study were analyzed using statistical software.
- Impassive: I analyzed the results of the study using statistical software.
Using the passive voice in this context helps to emphasize the results and the analysis, rather than the researcher.
Overall, the choice between passive and impassive depends on the context in which they are used. It’s important to consider the situation and the message that needs to be conveyed before making a decision. By doing so, you can ensure that your writing is clear, concise, and effective.
Exceptions To The Rules
While passive and impassive voice have their own set of rules, there are certain exceptions where these rules might not apply. Here are a few instances where the use of passive and impassive voice might not be ideal:
1. Active Voice For Clarity
When you want to emphasize the subject of the sentence or make the sentence clearer, using active voice is preferred over passive or impassive. For instance, in the sentence “The cat chased the mouse,” the active voice makes it clear who is performing the action. On the other hand, in the passive voice version “The mouse was chased by the cat,” the subject is not clear.
2. Impassive Voice For Formality
While impassive voice is generally used to show a lack of emotion or interest, it can also be used to convey formality. In certain situations, such as academic writing or legal documents, the use of impassive voice can make the writing appear more professional and objective. For example, in a legal document, instead of saying “I find the defendant guilty,” using impassive voice, you could say “The defendant is found guilty.”
3. Passive Voice For Politeness
Passive voice can be used to convey politeness or to avoid placing blame on someone. For example, instead of saying “You made a mistake,” you could say “A mistake was made.” This way, the focus is on the mistake rather than the person who made it.
4. Active Voice For Action-oriented Writing
If you want to write in a way that encourages action, active voice is the way to go. For instance, in a call to action, using active voice can make the sentence more powerful and persuasive. For example, “Donate now to support our cause” is more action-oriented than “Our cause is being supported by donations.”
5. Impassive Voice For Objectivity
Impassive voice can be used to convey objectivity in writing. For instance, in scientific writing, the use of impassive voice can make the writing appear more objective and unbiased. Instead of saying “I conducted the experiment,” using impassive voice, you could say “The experiment was conducted.”
While these exceptions might not apply to every situation, it’s important to understand when and why to use passive and impassive voice. By using the appropriate voice, you can convey your message more effectively and make your writing more engaging.
Practice Exercises
Now that we have discussed the differences between passive and impassive, it is time to put your knowledge into practice. The following exercises will help you improve your understanding and use of these concepts in sentences.
Exercise 1: Passive Or Impassive?
Determine whether the following sentences are passive or impassive. Write “passive” or “impassive” next to each sentence.
| The cake was baked by my sister. | __________ |
| The flowers were watered by the gardener. | __________ |
| The book was read by the student. | __________ |
| The decision was made by the committee. | __________ |
| The car was washed by the owner. | __________ |
Answer Key:
| The cake was baked by my sister. | passive |
| The flowers were watered by the gardener. | passive |
| The book was read by the student. | passive |
| The decision was made by the committee. | passive |
| The car was washed by the owner. | passive |
Exercise 2: Rewrite The Sentences
Rewrite the following sentences to be either passive or impassive, depending on the instructions provided.
- Change this active sentence to passive: The dog chased the cat.
- Change this passive sentence to active: The ball was thrown by the boy.
- Change this active sentence to impassive: The teacher graded the tests.
- Change this impassive sentence to active: The cake was decorated by the baker.
- Change this active sentence to passive: The storm destroyed the house.
Answer Key:
- The cat was chased by the dog.
- The boy threw the ball.
- The tests were graded by the teacher.
- The baker decorated the cake.
- The house was destroyed by the storm.
By completing these exercises, you will become more comfortable with using passive and impassive in your writing. Keep practicing and soon it will become second nature!
Conclusion
After exploring the differences between passive and impassive voice, it is clear that the two have distinct uses and effects on the reader. Passive voice can be useful in certain situations, such as when the focus should be on the action rather than the subject. However, overuse of passive voice can lead to a lack of clarity and engagement for the reader.
On the other hand, impassive voice is a powerful tool for creating a sense of objectivity and detachment in writing. It can be especially effective in academic or scientific writing, where an impartial tone is often necessary.
Overall, it is important to be aware of the differences between these two voices and to use them intentionally in order to achieve the desired effect. By mastering the use of both passive and impassive voice, writers can create more nuanced and effective writing.
Key Takeaways:
- Passive voice emphasizes the action rather than the subject and can be useful in certain situations.
- Overuse of passive voice can lead to a lack of clarity and engagement for the reader.
- Impassive voice creates a sense of objectivity and detachment in writing and can be especially effective in academic or scientific writing.
- By mastering the use of both passive and impassive voice, writers can create more nuanced and effective writing.
Remember, good writing is not just about using correct grammar and spelling, but also about using language intentionally to achieve the desired effect. Keep learning and exploring the many aspects of grammar and language use to continually improve your writing skills.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.