You’ve probably paused mid-sentence while writing an email and wondered which phrase sounds right: “will resume” or “will be resumed.” It’s a tiny choice that can derail your confidence for a moment because both phrases seem correct at first glance. Yet the wrong one can make your sentence feel stiff, overly formal, or simply unclear. This confusion pops up in workplaces, academic settings, customer support messages, and even casual conversations. When people rush, they usually default to whichever form “sounds” good. Those instinctive choices, however, don’t always follow grammar rules.
If you’ve ever typed “The session will be resumed after lunch” and paused, you’re not alone. Many people switch between active and passive structures without realizing there’s a difference in tone, clarity, and professional impact. This article clears the fog. You’ll learn why one option often works better, how context influences your choice, and how grammar affects tone. You’ll discover why active voice almost always creates stronger sentences and why the passive form still has a place in specific situations.
You’ll also see real-world examples, common mistakes, corrected sentences, and clear tables showing when to use each phrase. Think of this as your complete guide—the one you’ll never need to question again. If you want your writing to sound polished, confident, and easy to understand, mastering the difference between “will resume” and “will be resumed” is a powerful step. Let’s dive in and make your communication smoother than ever.
Understanding the Core Difference: Active vs Passive Voice in “Will Resume or Will Be Resumed”
The heart of the question rests on one simple grammar concept: voice.
English gives you two ways to express an action:
- Active voice – the subject performs the action.
- Passive voice – the subject receives the action.
That’s the crucial difference behind “will resume” and “will be resumed.”
Active Voice (Clear, natural, direct)
“The meeting will resume at 3 PM.”
Here, the meeting performs the action of resuming.
Passive Voice (Formal, indirect, sometimes necessary)
“The meeting will resume at 3 PM.”
Now, something is resuming the meeting, but the sentence hides the person or thing performing that action.
Active voice feels energetic and conversational, while passive voice creates distance. Most professional writing favors the active form unless there’s a clear reason to use passive construction.
Meaning of “Will Resume” (Active Voice)
“Will resume” shows that the subject restarts or continues an activity.
It’s direct, confident, and easy for readers to follow.
Grammar Breakdown of “Will Resume”
- Will – future auxiliary verb
- Resume – base form of the verb
- Structure: Subject + will + resume
Examples
- “Classes will resume tomorrow after the holiday break.”
- “Service will resume shortly once the issue is fixed.”
- “The show will resume after a brief intermission.”
When to use “Will Resume”
Use it whenever the subject itself continues the action.
Good choices for:
- workplace messages
- academic updates
- website status pages
- announcements
- official notices
- customer-facing communication
Why it works so well
- Sounds professional but friendly
- Removes ambiguity
- Reads smoothly
- Matches modern business English tone
Read More:Accommodate or Accommodate For: Unlocking Proper Usage in American English
Meaning of “Will Be Resumed” (Passive Voice)
“Will be resumed” means the action happens to the subject. Someone or something else resumes it. The performer of the action is either unknown or intentionally left out.
Grammar Breakdown
- Will – future auxiliary
- Be – auxiliary for passive voice
- Resumed – past participle
- Structure: Subject + will be + past participle
Examples
- “The match will be resumed after the rain stops.”
- “Operations will be resumed once the audit is complete.”
When “Will Be Resumed” Makes Sense
Use passive voice when:
- You don’t know who resumes the activity.
- The doer isn’t important.
- You want a more formal tone.
- You’re writing technical, legal, or procedural documents.
Why passive voice feels different
It adds distance, removes personal tone, and creates a more official style. For example, legal notices often use passive structures to remain impersonal.
“Will Resume” vs “Will Be Resumed” – Comparison Table
Below is a simple table that helps you decide instantly:
| Feature | Will Resume | Will Be Resumed |
| Voice | Active | Passive |
| Tone | Clear, modern, direct | Formal, distant |
| Clarity | High | Moderate |
| Best used when | Subject performs action | Performer is unknown or irrelevant |
| Common in | Business communication, updates, presentations | Policies, legal text, technical writing |
| Example | “Service will resume shortly.” | “Service will be resumed shortly.” |
Common Mistakes People Make With These Phrases
Even experienced writers slip up. Here are mistakes that happen frequently.
Using passive voice without reason
Incorrect: “The conference will be resumed at 2 PM.”
Better: “The conference will resume at 2 PM.”
Forgetting the subject
Incorrect: “Will resume soon.”
Correct: “The session will resume soon.”
Using both forms interchangeably
The sentences may look similar, but tone and clarity shift dramatically.
Over-formal writing
Some writers believe passive voice sounds more professional, yet it often makes writing robotic.
Misplacing the time reference
Incorrect: “At 2 PM the event will be resumed by us.”
Correct: “The event will resume at 2 PM.”
Real-Life Usage Scenarios for “Will Resume or Will Be Resumed”
Understanding these phrases is easier when you see how they’re used in real situations.
Business Communication
- “The webinar will resume after a short break.”
- “Production will be resumed following regulatory approval.”
Customer Support
- “Your service will resume shortly.”
- “Billing operations will be resumed tomorrow.”
Academic Settings
- “Classes will resume next Monday.”
- “The experiment will be resumed after calibration.”
Meetings and Events
- “The meeting will resume at 4 PM.”
- “The program will be resumed once the keynote speaker arrives.”
Technology & System
- “Network access will resume once maintenance ends.”
- “Data sync will be resumed when the server is back online.”
Grammar Refresher: Resume, Resuming, Resumed
Many errors come from misunderstanding verb forms. Here’s a quick overview:
| Verb Form | Usage |
| Resume | Base form |
| Resumes | Third-person singular present |
| Resuming | Present participle / continuous tense |
| Resumed | Past tense / past participle |
Examples
- “Operations resume at dawn.”
- “He resumes work on Monday.”
- “They are resuming the project.”
- “We resumed our journey after lunch.”
Synonyms and Natural Alternatives
Sometimes you want variety or a sharper tone. Here are options you can use.
Active Alternatives
- continue
- restart
- pick back up
- begin again
- move forward
Example: “The class will continue shortly.”
Passive Alternatives
- be continued
- be restarted
- be reactivated
- be reinstated
Example: “Service will be restored soon.”
Mini Quiz: Test Your Understanding
1. Which is correct?
“The interview ___ after the break.”
a) will be resumed
b) will resume
Correct answer: b)
2. Choose the stronger sentence:
a) “The meeting will be resumed at 5 PM.”
b) “The meeting will resume at 5 PM.”
Correct answer: b)
3. Which fits formal documentation?
a) will resume
b) will be resumed
Correct answer: b)
4. Fill in the blank:
“The process ___ once the system stabilizes.”
Correct answer: will resume
Best Practices to Choose the Right Phrase
- Default to active voice unless passive is required.
- Read the sentence aloud to test naturalness.
- Identify the action performer—include it if you want clarity.
- Avoid overly robotic or formal structures unless needed.
- Think about your audience. What tone do they expect?
- Use “will resume” in customer-facing or conversational content.
- Use “will be resumed” in technical, legal, or compliance text.
Real-World Example Sentences
Using “Will Resume”
- “Ticket sales will resume once the system updtes.”
- “Normal operations will resume in the evening.”
- “Traffic will resume after the blockade clears.”
Using “Will Be Resumed”
- “The hearing will be resumed once the judge returns.”
- “The project will be resumed after the funding release.”
- “The investigation will be resumed tomorrow morning.”
Conclusion
Choosing between “will resume” and “will be resumed” doesn’t need to be confusing. Once you understand the difference between active and passive voice, everything becomes easier. The active form sounds stronger, clearer, and more natural in everyday communication. The passive form still has a purpose, especially when the performer of the action doesn’t matter or when you want to maintain a formal tone.
When in doubt, choose “will resume.” It’s simple, direct, and professional. With this guide, you can now write with confidence whether you’re drafting an email, preparing a presentation, handling customer updates, or adding clarity to technical documentation. Good grammar doesn’t just sound good—it builds credibility and trust.
FAQs About “Will Resume or Will Be Resumed”
Is “will resume” more common in American English?
Yes. It matches modern communication styles.
Is “will be resumed” grammatically correct?
Absolutely. It’s correct but more formal.
Which form should I use in emails?
Use “will resume” unless formality is required.
Does passive voice sound robotic?
It can, especially in customer-facing text.
Can I say “resume again”?
Avoid it. “Resume” already means continue.
Is “be resumed” outdated?
No, but it belongs in specific contexts.
Which form works better for status messages?
“Service will resume shortly.”
Can I switch forms in the same document?
Yes, but be consistent within a section.
Bella Rae 
Lily Grace