To transition from using passive voice to active voice in writing, focus on making the subject of the sentence the doer of the action. Use active verbs and rephrase sentences to clearly show who is performing the action. Practice by rewriting passive sentences in a more direct and engaging way.
Using the active voice rather than passive voice
Using the active voice makes sentences clearer, more direct, and easier to understand. It also usually creates a more engaging and dynamic writing style.
Using passive voice can make your writing less engaging and clear to the reader. It can also obscure the action or the doer of the action in the sentence. Additionally, passive voice can result in wordy and awkward construction.
You change passive voice to active voice by making the actor(s) the subject of the sentence, e.g., "the question was asked by the user" (passive) versus, "the user asked the question" (active).
The term wrong voice normally means that a writer is either using passive or active voice incorrectly. Most writing want one or the other.
An active device amplifies the signal by some value - such as an active filter using an OPAMP. A passive device does not provide any amplification - such as a passive filter network of inductors and capacitors.
Using the active voice in writing generally makes sentences clearer and more direct, enhancing reader engagement. It places emphasis on the subject performing the action, which often makes the writing more dynamic and easier to understand. While passive voice can be useful in certain contexts, such as when the doer is unknown or less important, active voice typically conveys information more effectively. Ultimately, prioritizing active voice can improve the overall impact of your writing.
Active writing emphasizes clarity and engagement by using strong, vivid verbs and direct language to convey ideas effectively. It focuses on creating a dynamic connection between the writer and the reader, encouraging immersion in the text. This style often avoids passive constructions, making the writing more energetic and persuasive. Overall, active writing aims to present information in a straightforward and compelling manner.
Mike was walking to the store. - This is an active past continuous sentence.Mike walked to the store. - This is an active past simple sentenceMike walks to the store. - This is an active present simple sentence,See how the passive becomes the active, and the sentence is set in the present tense and thus more "assertive" or "active" if you will.Active sentences tell who does the action of the verb at the beginning of the sentence:The cat chased the mouse. ( the cat does the action - chase)Passive sentences don't have to say who does the action:The mouse was chased.If you want to say who does the action you can add by the cat at the end of the sentence:The mouse was chased by the cat.You can avoid writing in passive voice if you use activesentences
Passive voice can obscure the subject of the sentence, leading to unclear or ambiguous communication. Active voice typically results in more concise and direct writing, making it easier for readers to understand the message.
In active voice: The boy broke the window. In Passive voice: The window was broken by the boy.
Emphasizes the doer of the action Shows who or what does the action in the sentence, or puts the doer before the verb Creates shorter sentences. Eliminating the passive voice reduces the number of words in a sentence