Will Resume vs. Will Be Resumed: Which Is Correct?

The English language is a vast and intricate system, and sometimes, even native speakers find themselves pausing to consider the precise wording of a phrase. This is especially true when dealing with verb forms and their nuances, which can subtly alter the meaning of a sentence. Two such phrases that often cause confusion are “will resume” and “will be resumed.”

Understanding the difference between these two constructions is crucial for clear and effective communication, whether in professional settings, academic writing, or everyday conversation. The choice between them hinges on whether the subject of the sentence is performing the action of resuming or if the action is being performed upon the subject.

Active vs. Passive Voice: The Core Distinction

At its heart, the difference between “will resume” and “will be resumed” lies in the grammatical concept of active versus passive voice. Recognizing this fundamental distinction is the key to correctly applying these phrases.

Active voice is direct and emphasizes the subject performing an action. Passive voice, conversely, shifts the focus to the object of the action or the action itself, often downplaying or omitting the performer of the action.

This grammatical choice impacts not only clarity but also the tone and emphasis of your writing. Mastering this difference will significantly elevate your command of the English language.

Understanding “Will Resume” (Active Voice)

The phrase “will resume” is an example of the active voice. Here, the subject of the sentence is the one performing the action of resuming.

This construction is generally more direct, concise, and impactful. It clearly identifies who or what is initiating the continuation of an activity or state.

When you use “will resume,” you are stating that the subject itself will begin again after a pause or interruption.

When the Subject Initiates the Action

Consider a scenario where a company announces its plans. If the company is the one actively deciding to start again, “will resume” is the correct choice.

For example, “The company will resume operations next Monday after the holiday closure.” Here, the company is the agent performing the act of resuming operations.

Another instance could involve an individual’s personal plans. “She will resume her studies in the fall semester.” The subject, “she,” is actively taking up her studies again.

Examples in Context

The sports team, after a lengthy rain delay, announced they will resume play at 7 PM. The focus is on the team’s action.

The negotiations between the two parties will resume tomorrow morning, with both sides eager to reach an agreement. The parties themselves are the ones resuming the talks.

After a brief recess, the judge indicated that the trial will resume after lunch. The judge, representing the court, is directing the resumption of the trial.

The author stated that her writing schedule will resume its usual pace once her renovations are complete. Her personal commitment to her writing is the active force.

The park services announced that guided tours will resume on weekends starting next month. The service itself is the entity performing the resumption.

Emphasis on the Doer

Using “will resume” places emphasis squarely on the entity that is doing the resuming. This is often preferred when the identity of the agent is important or relevant to the message.

It conveys a sense of agency and direct control over the situation. The subject is in charge of its own continuation.

This active construction makes sentences feel more dynamic and authoritative.

Understanding “Will Be Resumed” (Passive Voice)

Conversely, “will be resumed” is an example of the passive voice. In this construction, the subject of the sentence is not performing the action; rather, the action is being performed upon the subject.

The passive voice is often used when the performer of the action is unknown, unimportant, or intentionally de-emphasized. The focus shifts to the action or the recipient of the action.

This form indicates that something will be started again, but it doesn’t specify who or what is doing the resuming.

When the Subject Receives the Action

Consider a situation where an event or process is interrupted, and its continuation is dependent on external factors or decisions not explicitly stated.

For instance, “The construction project will be resumed once the new permits are approved.” Here, the project is the subject, but it is not actively resuming itself; the resumption is happening *to* it, likely by contractors or authorities.

Another example might be related to public services. “Public transportation services will be resumed as soon as the tracks are cleared.” The services themselves are not initiating the resumption; it is being done for them.

Examples in Context

The broadcast signal will be resumed shortly after the technical issue is resolved. The focus is on the signal’s return, not necessarily who is fixing it.

The collection of overdue library books will be resumed next week. The resumption is an action being taken regarding the books.

All flights to the affected region will be resumed once the weather conditions improve. The flights are the subject, and their resumption is an outcome of external factors.

The distribution of aid supplies will be resumed as soon as the roads are deemed safe. The supplies are the recipient of the action of resumption.

The investigation into the incident will be resumed with new evidence. The investigation is the subject, and it will be acted upon to restart.

Emphasis on the Action or Object

Using “will be resumed” shifts the emphasis to the thing that is being resumed or the act of resumption itself. This is useful when the details of who is performing the action are less important than the fact that the action will occur.

It can create a more formal or objective tone, often seen in official announcements or reports where the process is more significant than the agent.

This passive construction can sometimes sound more impersonal or detached.

Determining the Correct Usage: Key Questions

To confidently choose between “will resume” and “will be resumed,” ask yourself a couple of critical questions about the sentence’s subject and the action.

First, is the subject of the sentence the one *doing* the resuming, or is the subject the thing *being resumed*?

If the subject is the active agent, use “will resume.” If the subject is the recipient of the action, use “will be resumed.”

Question 1: Who or What is Performing the Action?

This is the most direct way to differentiate. If you can identify a clear actor that is the subject of the sentence and that actor is performing the act of resuming, then the active voice is appropriate.

For example, if the sentence is about “the committee,” and the committee is meeting again, then “The committee will resume its meetings.” The committee is the actor.

If, however, the sentence is about “the meetings,” and the meetings are being started again by someone else (like the committee), then “The meetings will be resumed.” The meetings are the recipients.

Question 2: Is the Subject the Agent or the Patient?

In grammatical terms, the agent is the doer of the action, and the patient is the receiver of the action. This is essentially a more technical way of asking the same question.

When the subject is the agent, you use the active voice (“will resume”). When the subject is the patient, you use the passive voice (“will be resumed”).

Understanding this distinction helps solidify your grasp of sentence structure and voice.

Contextual Nuances and Stylistic Choices

While grammar rules provide a framework, context and stylistic intent also play a role in choosing between active and passive voice.

Sometimes, a writer might intentionally choose the passive voice for stylistic reasons, even if the active voice is grammatically sound. This often happens to achieve a particular tone or emphasis.

However, for clarity and directness, the active voice is generally preferred. Overuse of the passive voice can lead to wordy and less engaging prose.

Professional vs. Informal Settings

In professional or academic writing, clarity and precision are paramount. Using the active voice (“will resume”) often leads to more concise and impactful statements.

However, in certain formal announcements or reports, the passive voice (“will be resumed”) might be used to maintain an objective tone, focusing on the event or process rather than the individuals involved.

In informal settings, either can be used, but the active voice generally sounds more natural and direct.

When the Performer is Unimportant or Unknown

The passive voice shines when the performer of the action is irrelevant to the message or simply unknown. Consider a news report about a road closure: “The highway will be reopened tomorrow.” The focus is on the reopening of the highway, not necessarily the specific crew or authority responsible for it.

Similarly, if a piece of equipment breaks down, you might say, “The machinery will be repaired.” The emphasis is on the repair itself, not necessarily on identifying the technician.

In these cases, the passive construction is efficient and effective.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

One common error is using the active voice when the passive is required, or vice versa, often due to a misunderstanding of the subject’s role in the action.

Another pitfall is the overuse of the passive voice, which can make writing seem unnecessarily complex or evasive.

Always review your sentences to ensure the subject is performing or receiving the action as intended.

Misidentifying the Subject

The most frequent mistake arises from incorrectly identifying what the subject of the sentence is. If you think the subject is the “doer” when it’s actually the “receiver,” you’ll choose the wrong voice.

Carefully parse your sentence. Identify the noun or pronoun that the verb is acting upon. Ask if that noun/pronoun is the one performing the action or the one being acted upon.

This careful analysis prevents grammatical errors.

The Danger of Excessive Passivity

While the passive voice has its uses, relying on it too heavily can weaken your writing. Sentences can become longer, less direct, and sometimes ambiguous.

For instance, “A decision regarding the proposal will be made by the committee” is grammatically correct but less direct than “The committee will decide on the proposal.”

Strive for clarity and conciseness by favoring the active voice whenever possible and appropriate.

Grammatical Structure Breakdown

To further clarify, let’s break down the grammatical structure of each phrase. Understanding the components can demystify their usage.

“Will resume” follows the standard subject-verb structure of the active voice. “Will” is a modal auxiliary verb, and “resume” is the base form of the main verb.

“Will be resumed” involves a more complex structure: the modal auxiliary “will,” followed by the auxiliary “be,” and then the past participle of the main verb, “resumed.” This “will + be + past participle” construction is characteristic of the future passive voice.

Active Voice Structure: Subject + Will + Base Verb

The formula for the active voice in the future tense is straightforward: Subject + will + base form of the verb.

Example: The orchestra + will + perform.

This structure is clear, direct, and emphasizes the subject’s agency.

Passive Voice Structure: Subject + Will + Be + Past Participle

The future passive voice follows the pattern: Subject + will + be + past participle of the verb.

Example: The concert + will + be + performed.

Here, the concert is the subject, but it is the thing that is being performed, not the performer itself.

This structure highlights the action or the recipient rather than the performer.

Practical Application in Different Scenarios

Applying these rules in real-world scenarios solidifies understanding. Consider various contexts where these phrases might appear and how to choose correctly.

Whether you’re writing an email, a report, or even just composing a text message, the correct usage ensures your message is understood as intended.

Practice with different subjects and actions to build your confidence.

Business Communications

In business, clarity is key. When announcing a restart of services or operations, the choice depends on who is doing the resuming.

“Our sales team will resume client outreach next week.” (Active: The team is doing it.)

“The scheduled system maintenance will be resumed after the update.” (Passive: The maintenance is being acted upon.)

Using the correct form ensures professional accuracy.

Academic Writing

Academic writing often favors the active voice for its directness and conciseness, especially when discussing research or experiments.

“The researchers will resume data collection in the spring.” (Active: The researchers are performing the action.)

“The experimental procedure will be resumed following a review of the preliminary results.” (Passive: The procedure is being acted upon.)

This precision is vital for scholarly communication.

Everyday Conversation and Writing

Even in casual contexts, correct usage prevents misunderstandings. If you’re planning to restart a hobby, you’d say, “I will resume painting this weekend.”

If a shared activity is being restarted by a group, and the focus is on the activity itself, you might say, “Our book club meeting will be resumed after the holidays.”

Consistency in application leads to clearer interactions.

When to Favor “Will Resume”

You should favor “will resume” when you want to emphasize the subject’s active role in continuing an activity or state.

This is the default choice for direct, agent-focused communication. It makes your writing more dynamic and engaging.

Use it when the identity of the one doing the resuming is important.

Highlighting Agency and Initiative

When the subject of the sentence is taking the initiative to restart something, the active voice powerfully conveys this sense of agency.

For example, “The government will resume negotiations immediately.” This highlights the government’s direct action.

This emphasis on who is acting is often crucial in accountability and leadership contexts.

Conciseness and Directness

Active voice sentences are typically shorter and more direct than their passive counterparts. This improves readability and impact.

“The band will resume touring next month.” This is more concise than “Touring will be resumed by the band next month.”

For general communication, this directness is often preferred.

When to Favor “Will Be Resumed”

Favor “will be resumed” when the focus should be on the action or the object of the action, rather than the performer.

This is particularly useful when the performer is unknown, unimportant, or when you want to create a sense of objectivity or formality.

It’s the choice when the subject is the recipient of the action.

Objectivity and Formality

In official announcements, reports, or scientific writing, the passive voice can lend an air of objectivity and formality. It removes personal involvement and focuses on the process.

“The distribution of funds will be resumed pending further review.” This sounds more official than someone actively resuming the distribution.

This detachment can be crucial in certain professional contexts.

When the Performer is Unknown or Unimportant

If the person or entity responsible for resuming an activity is not known or is not relevant to the message, the passive voice is ideal.

“The affected services will be resumed as soon as possible.” We don’t necessarily need to know who is resuming them; the focus is on the services.

This avoids unnecessary detail and keeps the message focused.

Advanced Considerations and Potential Ambiguities

While the rules are generally clear, sometimes context can introduce subtle ambiguities or stylistic choices that lean one way or the other.

It’s important to be aware of these nuances to ensure your intended meaning is always conveyed effectively.

Consider the overall tone and purpose of your communication.

The “Doer” is Implied but Not Stated

In some passive constructions, the implied “doer” is understood from context. For example, “The meeting will be resumed at 2 PM.” It’s understood that someone (e.g., the chair, the facilitator) will resume it.

This is a common and acceptable use of the passive voice where the focus remains on the event itself.

The clarity of the context dictates the effectiveness here.

Avoiding Evasive Language

While the passive voice can be used for objectivity, it can also be used to evade responsibility. Be mindful of this potential pitfall.

Saying “Mistakes will be rectified” can sound less accountable than “We will rectify the mistakes.”

Choose your voice deliberately to convey the intended level of responsibility.

Final Synthesis: Mastering the Choice

The distinction between “will resume” and “will be resumed” is a matter of active versus passive voice, which hinges on whether the subject performs the action or receives it.

By asking key questions about agency and focusing on the subject’s role, you can confidently select the correct phrase.

Consistent practice and attention to context will solidify your mastery of these constructions, leading to clearer and more effective communication.