All Ears English Podcast: How to Be Concise Part 3 – Avoid the Passive

Release Date: May 24, 2025

In the third installment of their enlightening series on conciseness, hosts Lindsay McMahon and Michelle Kaplan delve into the crucial topic of avoiding passive grammar to enhance clarity and impact in American English communication. This episode, titled "AEE: How to Be Concise Part 3: Avoid the Passive," offers intermediate to advanced English learners practical strategies to streamline their language for more effective conversations and professional interactions.

Introduction to Conciseness and Passive Grammar

The episode kicks off with Lindsay and Michelle acknowledging their own assertive personalities, contrasting the concept of being a "passive person" with passive grammar. They emphasize that while neither host sees themselves as passive individuals, the focus of the discussion is on how passive grammatical structures can dilute the strength and clarity of a message.

Lindsay (02:23): "But this is interesting because today we're talking about passive grammar. So this is part three of our series about being concise, the grammar you use can affect how concise your message is."

Understanding Active vs. Passive Voice

A significant portion of the discussion centers on distinguishing between active and passive voice. Lindsay explains that active voice places the subject as the doer of the action, making sentences more direct and impactful. In contrast, passive voice emphasizes the action itself, often obscuring who is responsible.

Michelle (05:13): "Active voice focuses on the subject performing the action, whereas passive voice focuses on the action being performed."

Example Transformation:

• Passive: "The call was made by me." (05:30)
• Active: "I made the call." (05:52)

Lindsay adds an insightful note on the versatility of the word "call," highlighting that it can refer both to a phone call and a decision, thereby enriching the learner's vocabulary.

Strategies to Enhance Conciseness

The hosts outline two primary strategies to manipulate grammar for conciseness:

1. Use Active Voice:

   • Metric: Focus on who is performing the action.
   • Benefit: Reduces wordiness and increases clarity.

   Example:

   • Passive: "She was visited by him." (07:05)
   • Active: "He visited her." (07:17)

2. Combine Sentences:

   • Metric: Merge simple sentences into compound or complex structures.
   • Benefit: Creates a smoother flow and eliminates unnecessary pauses in speech.

   Example:

   • Before:
     • "The phone is small."
     • "It is black." (08:28)
   • After: "The phone is small and black." (08:44)

Lindsay (07:45): "Another thing we could avoid is repeating the subject. Combine sentences to make your message more direct and concise."

Role-Play Demonstration

To illustrate the practical application of these strategies, Lindsay and Michelle engage in a role-play segment. They present two versions of the same scenario – one utilizing passive voice and simple sentences, and the other employing active voice and combined sentences for conciseness.

Less Concise Example (13:00 - 14:52):

• "The accident was caused by me. I ran a red light."
• "She was visited by him."

More Concise Example (14:52 - 17:59):

• "I caused the accident when I ran a red light."
• "He visited her."

Michelle (15:19): "This super high-level getting into complex and compound sentences makes your message more direct and smooth."

Lindsay (16:08): "By combining sentences, we flow much more smoothly when speaking."

The role-play underscores how shifting from passive to active voice and merging sentences can significantly enhance the clarity and effectiveness of communication.

Recap and Practical Applications

In wrapping up, Lindsay and Michelle reiterate the importance of conciseness in various contexts, from daily conversations to professional settings like public speaking and meetings. They encourage listeners to practice these grammatical adjustments to build confidence and improve their overall communication skills.

Michelle (19:14): "Being concise makes you a better conversationalist and improves skills like public speaking and leading meetings."

Lindsay (20:16): "It's vital for both daily conversations and work."

Conclusion and Next Steps

The episode concludes with information on accessing the first two parts of the conciseness series and a call to action for listeners to engage with the podcast by leaving reviews. Lindsay and Michelle emphasize that mastering the art of conciseness, particularly through active grammar, is pivotal for anyone aiming to speak American English more effectively and confidently.

Michelle (18:35): "If you have loved this three-part series, make sure you hit the follow button to get our next series right here on the show."

Lindsay (19:38): "Especially if you are at a B2 or C1 level, it is time to step up and become more concise."

Key Takeaways:

• Active Voice Enhances Clarity: Prioritize active constructions to make statements more direct and powerful.
• Combine Sentences for Flow: Merge simple sentences into compound or complex ones to maintain momentum in speech.
• Practice Regularly: Implement these strategies in daily conversations and professional scenarios to build fluency and confidence.

For those eager to refine their English communication skills, this episode offers actionable insights and practical examples to move towards more concise and effective language use.

Remember to subscribe to the All Ears English Podcast for more valuable lessons and resources to master American English. Visit allearsenglish.com for additional materials and to leave your reviews!