+ Rewrite each sentence as instructed in the blank column. Refer to Learning Objectives (L.O.) referenced if necessary. Passive-Voice Verbs (L.O. 3) 1 2 3 Passive-voice verbs may be preferable in breaking bad news because they enable you to emphasize actions rather than personalities. Compare these two refusals: Example: o Active voice: We cannot send any employees to the Las Vegas conference this year. o Passive voice: No employees can be sent to the Las Vegas conference this year. We will no longer be accepting credit cards for purchases under $5. We cannot offer health and dental benefits until employees have been on the job for 12 months. Because management now requires more stringent security, we are postponing indefinitely requests for company tour. Subordinate Clauses (L.O. 3) You can further soften the effect of bad news by placing it in an introductory subordinate clause that begins with although, since, or because. The emphasis in a sentence is on the independent clause. Instead of saying We cannot serve you on a credit basis, try Although we cannot serve you on a credit basis, we invite you to take advantage of our cash discounts and sale prices. Revise the following so that the bad news is de-emphasized in a dependent clause that precedes an independent clause. Unfortunately, we no longer print a complete catalog. 4 However, we now offer all of our catalog choices at our website, which is always current. The state does not allow smoking within 5 feet of a state 5 building. However, we have set aside three lawful outdoor smoking areas.