Since the 2014 edition, the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Standard Specification for Construction (Standard Specifications) has emphasized the active voice. In Division 1, the Contractor’s and Department’s responsibilities are written in the active voice-indicative mood. In a sentence written in the active voice-indicative mood, someone acts on something. For example: “The Engineer will take a sample.” In Divisions 2 and 3, only the Department’s responsibilities are written in the active voice- indicative mood. In Divisions 2 and 3, the Contractor’s responsibilities are written in active voice-imperative mood; the Department states its requirements or directions for performing the Work to the Contractor. The imperative mood is used when the party issuing an instruction and the party receiving it are already understood. Such statements have the same force as if they contained the word “shall” and are considered mandatory. In an imperative sentence such as, “Pour the concrete,” the Department is indicating that it requires the Contractor to pour the concrete. In the Material Specifications in Division 3, the subject may also be the supplier, fabricator, or manufacturer supplying the Materials, products, or Equipment for use on the Project.
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