Always Quote by Richard Corliss
“'TIME's spell-check always admonishes me whenever I compose a sentence in the passive voice, a warning that is often ignored by me.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New York Times, Richard Corliss, 2015
He notes that spell‑check repeatedly flags passive voice, a reminder many writers ignore, highlighting a tension between convenience and stylistic choice.
In simple terms: Spell‑check warns about passive voice, but writers often ignore it.
Key Takeaway
Consider when passive voice serves your purpose.
Themes
writing
technology
grammar
style
consciousness
Mood
critical
analytical
pragmatic
Type
educational
advisory
When to use this quote
- Editing essays
- academic writing
- creative drafting
Key Concepts
Language mechanics
digital tools
authorial intent
Questions to Reflect On
- Why do we ignore passive‑voice warnings?
- When is passive voice effective?
A Different Perspective
Reliance on tools may reduce grammatical awareness.
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