[Grammar] active voice vs passive voice problem

[carelessman]

hello, i sometimes have active versus passive voice choice problems. If anyone knows which one is more proper in this sentence please be kind to help me.


[sentence]
If we had odd-even driving days, the number of cars on the road would be greatly reduced, and air quality would improve.



Actually, this is a subjunctive mood question. However, I feel like 'improve' needs to be changed to 'be improved'.

The reasons are

1. in the sentence the word 'reduce' are used as passive voice 'would be greatly reduced' so the other sentence connected by 'and' also needs to be passive voice.

2. I think 'air quality' does not have voluntary volition.


However, co-working teacher mentioned intransitive usage of the word 'improve'.

But I still think that 'improve' should be 'be improved'. For 'The odd-even driving days improve air quality. ' looks like the active counterpart.


Would anyone kindly help me. Am I wrong or right?

And if I am wrong on what part am I missing.


And on which part of the book or where am I supposed to look for for the reference.

Thanks.

[albeit]

Originally Posted by carelessman

hello, i sometimes have active versus passive voice choice problems. If anyone knows which one is more proper in this sentence please be kind enough to help me.

Lots of students have these problems, Carelessman.

Originally Posted by carelessman;512989
[sentence

If we had odd-even driving days, the number of cars on the road would be greatly reduced, and air quality would improve.

Actually, this is a subjunctive mood question. However, I feel like 'improve' needs to be changed to 'be improved'.

The reasons are

1. in the sentence the word 'reduce' are used as passive voice 'would be greatly reduced' so the other sentence connected by 'and' also needs to be passive voice.

2. I think 'air quality' does not have voluntary volition.

First #2. You're right that air quality doesn't have volition but for certain things in English we seem to allow inanimates to "have" volition. The most common one that comes to mind are things like restaurants, libraries, stores etc. We say,

What time will the {___} open/close? My guess is that overall we prefer the active voice - is it because it's easier?

Anywoo, air quality is another fairly common one that we "allow" volition for.

There are no rules in English that require us to maintain parallel structures. That is simply a matter of style. In this example I'd choose the active, "air quality would improve".

Originally Posted by carelessman;512989
However, co-working teacher mentioned intransitive usage of the word 'improve'.

But I still think that 'improve' should be 'be improved'. For [I

'The odd-even driving days improve air quality. '[/I] looks like the active counterpart.


Would anyone kindly help me. Am I wrong or right?

And if I am wrong on what part am I missing.

No, you're not wrong. The passive form could also be used. In this situation, it is a matter of style.

=carelessman;512989
And on which part of the book or where am I supposed to look for the reference.

Thanks.

I don't think that you'll find anything dealing specifically with this one issue. If you want to read up on the passive in general, maybe someone can offer some good sources.

[carelessman]

Thank you.

Your kind comment really helped me a lot.

As a non-native English teacher, I thought I studied a lot. But I haven't really had a chance to look into the styles of writing.

I will check some books on writing styles.

Thanks again for your kindness.

[albeit]

Originally Posted by carelessman

Thank you.

Your kind comment really helped me a lot.

As a non-native English teacher, I thought I studied a lot. But I haven't really had a chance to look into the styles of writing.

I will check some books on writing styles.

Thanks again for your kindness.

You're most welcome, Carelessman. Your overall grasp of this issue shows that you have studied a lot.

This book has a good section on the passive. In fact, the whole book is excellent.

The Grammar Book: An ESL/EFL Teacher's Course, Second Edition

Amazon.com: The Grammar Book: An ESL/EFL Teacher's Course, Second Edition (9780838447253): Marianne Celce-Murcia, Diane Larsen-Freeman: Books