Overuse of passive voice throughout an essay can cause your prose to seem flat and uninteresting.

Even in scientific writing, overuse of passive voice or use of passive voice in long and complicated sentences can cause readers to lose interest or to become confused.

Sentences in active voice are generally–though not always– clearer and more direct than those in passive voice.

Sentences in active voice are also more concise than those in passive voice because fewer words are required to express action in active voice than in passive.

Some instructors proclaim that the passive voice signals sloppy, lazy thinking–that those who use it have not thought through a process they are discussing. Imprecision follows.

In papers where you discuss an author’s work–e.g., historians or literary authors–you can also strengthen your writing by not relying on the passive as a crutch to summarize plots or arguments.

By avoiding passive constructions in these situations you can demonstrate a more thorough understanding of the material you discuss.