key term - Agent-less constructions

Definition

Agent-less constructions are sentences that do not explicitly mention the doer or agent of the action. These constructions often place emphasis on the action or the recipient, rather than who is performing the action, which can create a sense of ambiguity or focus on the result of an action rather than the actor. They frequently appear in passive voice but can also occur in active voice when the agent is omitted.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Agent-less constructions can obscure responsibility by omitting who is carrying out the action, making them useful in situations where the actor is unknown or unimportant.
2. These constructions often appear in formal writing and reporting, where the focus may be more on the event itself rather than who caused it.
3. In scientific and technical writing, agent-less constructions help to maintain objectivity by depersonalizing the actions and results.
4. While they can enhance clarity by focusing on the outcome, overuse of agent-less constructions can lead to vagueness and confusion about accountability.
5. Agent-less constructions can be created using passive voice or through active voice by simply omitting the agent, as seen in sentences like 'Mistakes were made.'

Review Questions

• How do agent-less constructions impact the clarity of a sentence when used in writing?
  • Agent-less constructions can significantly affect clarity by shifting focus away from who is performing the action. While they can enhance emphasis on the result or process, they can also create ambiguity regarding responsibility. In contexts where accountability is important, such constructions might confuse readers about who should be held responsible for an action.
• Discuss how agent-less constructions compare to active and passive voice in terms of agency and emphasis in writing.
  • Agent-less constructions differ from both active and passive voice by intentionally omitting the agent, which alters emphasis in a sentence. In active voice, agency is clear as the subject performs the action, while passive voice highlights the action's recipient. Agent-less constructions provide an alternative that focuses solely on the event itself, which can be useful for maintaining neutrality but may sacrifice clarity about who is responsible for an action.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of using agent-less constructions in professional writing, considering both benefits and drawbacks.
  • Using agent-less constructions in professional writing can be effective for emphasizing outcomes and maintaining objectivity, particularly in technical or scientific contexts. However, this approach may lead to vagueness regarding accountability and responsibility. A balanced use of these constructions allows writers to highlight important actions without losing clarity about who is responsible, ensuring that readers fully understand both results and agency.

Related terms

Passive Voice:

A grammatical construction where the subject receives the action rather than performs it, often emphasizing the action or its recipient.

Active Voice:

A grammatical construction where the subject performs the action, making it clear who is doing what in a sentence.

Ellipsis: A linguistic phenomenon where a part of a sentence is omitted because it is understood from context, often resulting in shorter or more concise statements.