[General] Active and passive voice and anthropomorphising

[Douw]

I am often confronted with the following situation:
The figure shows that ... vs.
It can be seen from the figure that ...

In writing reports, my superiors do not accept the over-use of the passive voice, whilst I deem it necessary to avoid anthropomorphising inanimate objects, like the figure in the example.

Are there ways to get around this?

 

[bhaisahab]

There is nothing wrong with "The figure shows...". You could use "We can see from the figure..."

 

[Barb_D]

Yes, there is nothing "anthropomorphic" about phrases like "these statistics represent a growing trend..." or "the sign informs visitors ..."

 

[GoesStation]

It's only anthropomorphising if the inanimate object acts like a human. For example, the figure leaps off the page, dances a rhumba, and shows that this is anthropomorphising.

 

[Tdol]

I deem it necessary to avoid anthropomorphising inanimate objects, like the figure in the example.

I don't see your example as a problem. You can also state the facts and put the figure number in brackets.

 

[Douw]

Thanks to everyone for their insightful comments.

 

[emsr2d2]

Douw, please note that there is no need to write a new post to say "Thanks". There is a "Thank" and a "Like" button in the bottom left-hand corner of every response. If you find a post helpful, click on one of those buttons (or both of them).