Active voice, the more engaging and direct form of writing, can significantly enhance the clarity and impact of your communication. To help you make the switch from passive to active voice, we've created this comprehensive guide with 7 actionable steps.
Passive voice occurs when the subject of a sentence receives the action rather than performing it. It is typically indicated by the use of "to be" verbs (e.g., is, was, are, were, being, been) followed by a past participle.
For example:
Determine who or what is performing the action in the active voice sentence. The subject usually comes before the verb.
Change the "to be" verb in the passive voice sentence to the appropriate active voice tense. This will vary depending on the time frame of the action.
Convert the past participle (the verb form that follows "to be" in the passive voice) to the base form of the verb.
Rearrange the sentence elements to place the subject before the verb and the object (receiver of the action) after the verb.
Ensure that the subject and verb agree in number and person. Also, verify that the sentence makes sense and flows logically.
The more you practice converting sentences from passive to active voice, the easier it will become. Try using our online converter tool or rewrite existing texts to strengthen your skills.
Numerous studies have demonstrated the benefits of using active voice in writing:
Passive Voice | Active Voice |
---|---|
The research was conducted by scientists. | Scientists conducted the research. |
The book was read by the student. | The student read the book. |
The email was sent to the client. | I sent the email to the client. |
The decision was made by the board. | The board made the decision. |
The game was played by the team. | The team played the game. |
When converting from passive to active voice, be aware of common errors:
The versatility of a passive voice active voice converter extends beyond its primary function. Here's a creative application to inspire you:
Benefit | Explanation |
---|---|
Clarity and Precision | Eliminates ambiguity and identifies the subject clearly. |
Engagement | Creates more captivating and stimulating sentences. |
Impact | Conveys the message with greater force and conviction. |
Wordiness | Reduces the number of words required to express the same idea. |
Step | Action |
---|---|
1 | Identify the passive voice. |
2 | Determine the subject. |
3 | Change the verb tense. |
4 | Change the past participle to the base form. |
5 | Reorder the sentence elements. |
6 | Check for accuracy. |
7 | Practice and apply. |
Error | Description | Example |
---|---|---|
Weak Verbs | Using weak verbs like "is" or "was." | "The book is interesting." |
Meaning Change | Altering the meaning of the sentence. | "The report was written by the team." (Passive) |
Awkward Sentences | Creating sentences that sound unnatural. | "The decision was made by the board after careful consideration." |
Application | Example |
---|---|
Idea Generation | "The decision was made to explore new markets." |
Sentence Analysis | "The book was read by students for homework." |
Creative Writing | "The story was told from the perspective of an alien." |
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