English grammar can be a bit of a maze, with twists and turns at every corner. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, a new challenge pops up to test your skills. One such challenge is knowing the right way to talk about future plans or actions. It’s not just about sounding smart; it’s about making sure your message is clear and understood by everyone.
Today, we’re tackling a common dilemma: “will resume” versus “will be resumed.” These phrases might seem similar at first glance, but they carry different meanings and are used in distinct contexts. Getting this right is crucial, especially in professional settings where clarity and precision are key. So, let’s cut through the confusion and make sense of when to use each phrase correctly.
When deciding between “will resume” and “will be resumed,” it’s crucial to understand the difference in meaning. “Will resume” is active voice. It means someone or something is going to start again. For example, “Classes will resume tomorrow.” Here, classes are the subject doing the action of resuming.
On the other hand, “will be resumed” is passive voice. It suggests something will start again but focuses on the action being done to the subject, not who is doing it. An example is, “The meeting will be resumed by the manager.” This implies the manager will restart the meeting, but the focus is on the meeting itself.
The choice depends on what you want to emphasize: the doer of the action (“will resume”) or the action itself (“will be resumed”). Both are grammatically correct but serve different purposes.
Understanding the Basics: Active vs Passive Voice
Active and passive voice are essential concepts when it comes to English grammar rules. Understanding these concepts helps us use verb tenses, such as the simple future tense, more effectively.
In active voice sentences, the subject performs the action. For example, in the sentence, “Diana will water the plants,” Diana is the subject, and she is performing the action of watering the plants. Active voice sentences like “will resume” represent events that will occur naturally or involuntarily, without the involvement of an external agent.
Conversely, passive voice sentences emphasize the action upon the subject, implying that an external agent is responsible for resuming the activity. In a passive sentence, such as “The plants will be watered by Diana,” the focus is on the plants being watered, rather than Diana doing the watering. In a similar manner, “will be resumed” is a passive construction.
Let’s dive deeper into the differences between active and passive voice by comparing some examples:
| Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|
| Tom will write the article. | The article will be written by Tom. |
| The teacher will explain the lesson. | The lesson will be explained by the teacher. |
| She will handle the project. | The project will be handled by her. |
Active voice sentences are direct and clear, with the subject carrying out the action. Passive voice sentences, on the other hand, may sound more formal but can also be less engaging and a bit more difficult to understand.
So, how does this apply to “will resume” and “will be resumed”?
“Will resume” is an active voice construction where the subject is responsible for resuming the action or process. This suggests that the event will occur automatically or through the subject’s action.
“Will be resumed” is a passive voice construction that highlights the action being carried out upon the subject, indicating that someone or something else is responsible for resuming the activity.
Thus, it’s vital to choose between active and passive voice carefully based on the clarity and emphasis you want to convey in your sentences.
When to Use “Will Resume” in a Sentence
Choosing the right wording and structure in a sentence enhances clarity and precision in communication. “Will resume” is an active voice construction that should be employed when the subject is the actor of the process, implying spontaneity or inherent action without external initiation. This section explores various contexts where “will resume” is the appropriate choice to convey clear and accurate meaning.
- Public transportation resumption: When a city’s bus service or train system is suspended temporarily due to inclement weather, technical issues, or other reasons, it is common to say the service “will resume” once the issue is resolved. The phrasing emphasizes the automatic resumption of the service without identifying an external agent responsible for the action.
- Computer updates: When a software update forces a computer or device to restart, the system “will resume” its normal functioning after the update completes. In this scenario, the process happens automatically without additional intervention from the user.
- Work post-lunch break: In a workplace setting, it’s common to say that work “will resume” after lunch or another pause in the workday. This statement implies that employees’ active participation and natural return to their tasks will occur without an external trigger.
- Sports matches: When a game or match is interrupted, the event “will resume” once the issue has been resolved – such as when the weather improves or technical difficulties are sorted out. This phrasing signifies an automatic continuation of the event, without identifying the specific personnel responsible for ensuring the resumption.
In each of these examples, the use of “will resume” highlights the inherent or spontaneous resumption of activities without attributing responsibility to a specific external agent. By employing this active voice construction, the sentence accurately and succinctly conveys the desired information while adhering to established grammar guidelines. Understanding when to use “will resume” in a sentence is key to effective communication and mastery of future tense verbs and sentence construction.
The Contextual Use of “Will Be Resumed”
Knowing when to use passive voice construction such as “will be resumed” can greatly improve the effectiveness of your communication. This section will discuss scenarios that require such construction, the implications of responsibility, and how understanding the subtleties of passive voice can enhance formal communication.
Scenarios Requiring Passive Construction
Using “will be resumed” is often better suited when the emphasis of the statement is on the action happening to the subject, rather than the agent performing the action. This passive voice construction is appropriate in institutional or formal communication such as resuming congress sessions, commercial activities after a disaster, or diplomatic negotiations.
Example: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the peace talks were interrupted but will be resumed next week at the ambassador’s residence.
Implications of Responsibility
By employing the phrase “will be resumed,” you can assign responsibility to a specific entity or group. This is particularly useful when ensuring that safety protocols, scientific experiments, or other crucial processes are properly handled and continued by an authorized party.
- Restarting a halted production line: The production line was shut down temporarily, but normal operations will be resumed once the technical issue is resolved.
- Resuming suspended flights at an airport: All outbound flights have been temporarily suspended, but normal services will be resumed once the severe weather passes.
As seen in these examples, using “will be resumed” clarifies that the initiation of the action falls under a particular individual or group’s responsibility, ensuring a smooth continuation of essential duties.
Understanding the Subtleties in Formal Communication
In formal or official announcements, the passive form is often favored to provide clarity on bureaucratic or organizational processes. The focus is placed on the process, rather than the agent who initiates the action. When making use of “will be resumed,” you can effectively convey the nuances of such processes, leading to optimal comprehension by your intended audience.
| Professional Context | Passive Voice Sentence |
|---|---|
| Research Conference | The research conference was paused due to a power outage, but sessions will be resumed as soon as electricity is restored. |
| Medical Facility | Elective surgeries have been temporarily suspended due to an influx of emergency cases, but normal scheduling will be resumed within the week. |
| University Lectures | Following the winter break, all classes will be resumed according to the academic calendar. |
As can be seen from these examples, employing the passive phrase “will be resumed” helps to emphasize the actions being taken and delivers a more formal tone in a variety of professional settings.
Comparing Popularity with Google Ngram Viewer Insights
Google Ngram Viewer is a powerful linguistic research tool that can help us analyze the popularity of specific phrases in terms of language trends and word usage frequency. By comparing the usage of “will resume” and “will be resumed” over time, we can gain valuable insights into their application in written English.
The above graph, generated using Google Ngram Viewer, showcases the historical usage patterns of both “will resume” and “will be resumed” in English literature from the early 20th century until present day. The graph demonstrates that the frequency of both phrases has fluctuated over time, with some interesting trends to note.
Key takeaways from the graph include:
- “Will resume” has had higher frequency in language usage in most parts of the timeline.
- There is a consistent decline in the usage of “will be resumed” in recent years, which might suggest a preference for active voice constructions.
- Both “will resume” and “will be resumed” experienced a surge in popularity in the 1940s before declining again and stabilizing in the late 20th century.
While both “will resume” and “will be resumed” have their place in the English language, it is evident that the active voice construction of “will resume” has been the more popular choice throughout the past century. The decline in “will be resumed” usage may hint at the evolving preferences in English language expression, possibly due to shifts in writing styles, formal communication trends, or educational emphasis on active voice constructions.
Examining Real-world Usage of “Will Resume” and “Will Be Resumed”
Both “will resume” and “will be resumed” are commonly used in various contexts, highlighting their respective applications in the active and passive voice. To grasp the practical grammar application and demonstrate their use in real-world scenarios, let’s explore some English expression examples to understand how the two constructions can express different meanings in sentences.
“The annual winter break for schools will be resumed on January 5th, allowing for students and teachers to continue their academic pursuits.”
In this example, “will be resumed” is appropriate as it signifies the action performed on the subject (the break) by an external agent (the school administration).
“Due to inclement weather, the cricket match will resume tomorrow at 10 am.”
Here, the use of “will resume” conveys the sense that the cricket match will continue automatically, without specifying who or what is responsible for the resumption.
- Context: Educational Setting
- Active Voice Example: “The classes will resume on Monday.”
- Passive Voice Example: “Classes will be resumed by the principal on Monday.”
In the first example, it indicates a general understanding that the classes will automatically continue on Monday. In the second example, the use of passive construction highlights the principal’s responsibility for resuming the classes. While both phrases are correct, the passive voice emphasizes the involvement of an external agent.
| Context | Active Voice | Passive Voice |
|---|---|---|
| Sports Event | The football championship will resume next week. | The football championship will be resumed by the organizers next week. |
| Regular Services | Bus service will resume after the road repair. | Bus service will be resumed by the transportation authority after the road repair. |
In both the table and examples provided, it becomes clear that the active voice (“will resume”) implies an action occurring automatically or spontaneously, while the passive voice (“will be resumed”) illuminates the responsibility of initiating that action. Paying attention to these subtle differences will enhance your English communication skills and clarity in expression.
Final Thoughts: Which Form Should You Use?
In deciding between “will resume” and “will be resumed”, it is crucial to consider the nuances of active and passive voice to convey the intended meaning in your sentence effectively. While both expressions are grammatically correct, making the right choice can elevate your communication skills and leave the desired impact on your audience.
To emphasize the inevitable or automatic nature of an action, choose “will resume.” This active construction showcases events occurring spontaneously or inherently, with no external agent needed to trigger the action. In contrast, when emphasizing the role of a specific actor or entity in initiating an action, opt for “will be resumed.” This passive form highlights the impact of external forces, highlighting responsibility or accountability.
Remember that understanding and properly implementing these English language subtleties enhances the clarity and precision of your communication, helping you convey your ideas effectively. Keep practicing and refining your active vs passive decision-making process as you continue to write, and witness the improvement in your English writing skills.
