Page:The king's English (IA kingsenglish00fowlrich).pdf/334
'this step' is not the object of 'have attempted', and cannot be the subject of the corresponding passive. The true object of 'have attempted' is the whole phrase 'to justify this step', which in (2) rightly appears as the subject, in apposition to an introductory 'it'.—In point of clumsiness, there is perhaps not much to choose between the two passive constructions, neither of which should be used when it can be avoided. When the subject of the active verb 'have attempted' is definite, and can conveniently be stated, the active form should always be retained; to write 'it had been attempted by the founders of the study to supply' instead of 'the founders had attempted to supply' is mere perversity. When, as in some of our examples below, the subject of the active verb 'have attempted' is indefinite, the passive turn is sometimes difficult to avoid; but unless the object of 'justify' is a relative, and therefore necessarily placed at the beginning, 'an attempt has been made' can often be substituted for 'it has been attempted', and is less stiff and ugly.
The cutting down of 'saying lessons', by which it had been attempted by the founders of the study to supply the place of speech in the learning of Greek.–Times.
But when it was attempted to give practical effect to the popular exasperation, serious obstacles arose.–Times. (When an attempt was made to...)
He and his friends would make the government of Ireland a sheer impossibility, and it would be the duty of the Irish party to make it so if it was attempted to be run on the lines of...–Times. (if an attempt was made to run it on the...)
It is not however attempted to be denied.–Hazlitt. (No one attempts to deny)
As to the audience, we imagine that a large part of it, certainly all that part of it whose sympathies it was desired to enlist,...–Times. (whose sympathies were to be enlisted)
He will see the alterations that were proposed to be made, but rejected.–Times. (proposed, but rejected)
The argument by which this difficulty is sought to be evaded.–Balfour.
This and the following instances are not easily mended,