Palin uses longer sentences than Biden

AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 4 (UPI) -- An analysis of the U.S. vice presidential candidates' debate found that Joe Biden spoke at an eighth-grade level and Sarah Palin at 10th grade.

Palin also used the passive voice more than any of the other candidates in the debates so far, The Global Language Monitor said. The Austin, Texas, company specializes in media analysis.

Palin spoke in longer sentences than Biden, with an average of 19.9 words. The Delaware senator averaged 15.8.

The candidates were fairly even in the number of words they spoke during the 90-minute debate. Biden -- who has a reputation for loquaciousness -- weighed in at 5,492, suggesting he was restraining himself. The Alaska governor used 5,235 words.

Palin used the passive voice in 8 percent of her sentences, compared to 5 percent for Biden.

"Passive voice can be used to deflect responsibility; Biden used active voice when referring to Cheney and Bush; Palin countered with passive deflections," the company said.