Final answer:
The use of passive voice does not typically achieve clarity in writing; it is active voice that makes sentences clearer and more concise. While passive voice has its place, particularly in scientific and technical writing, active voice is generally the stronger option for most writing contexts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that using passive-voice verbs in your messages can achieve clarity is false. In fact, active voice is generally preferred for clearer and more concise sentences. Using active-voice verbs indicates that the subject performs the action, which typically results in more direct and engaging writing.
By contrast, passive voice removes the subject from the action, which can sometimes make sentences less direct and more wordy. It's true that in certain contexts, such as scientific and technical writing, passive voice can provide a sense of objectivity and is useful in parts of reports where the actor is less important than the action. However, to enhance clarity and liveliness, active voice is usually the preferred choice for most writing situations.
For example: 'The researcher conducted the experiment' (active) vs 'The experiment was conducted by the researcher' (passive). Both sentences convey the same essential information, but the active voice is more straightforward and powerful.