However, there are many examples where we either cannot or do not want to emphasize the actor, particularly if there is an element of mystery involved: The clerk was helping the customer. It’s also a good approach if you want to save time. Others prefer paraphrasing original content using text rewriting software. This document will teach you why and how to prefer active verbs over passive verbs. Passive voice In the passive voice One of two styles of writing that compare the relationship between the subject and the verb in a sentence. The maintenance staff had to attend extensive training on the new safety procedures. When the passive voice is overused, you often end up with flat writing. Olmsted and Calbert Vaux.​, It was decided by the court that the contract was invalid.​, The first commercially successful portable vacuum cleaner was invented by a janitor who was allergic to dust.​, This morning the police arrested the burglar.​, Hydrocarbons cause one type of air pollution.​, Mr. Patel and his children prepared an elaborate supper for the miners.​, F.L. The active voice. Sentence 4. Read the sentence. You'll notice that this small modification makes a significant difference in the tone of each sentence. Passive Voice: What’s the Difference? Passive voice: My dog was walked home by her. The bicycle tire is on the bike. Guaranteed satisfaction with your rephrased sentences or your money would be refunded. This rewrite makes it immediately clear to the reader who is doing what. Revised sentence: The hurricane nearly destroyed the city. ... What is the best way to put the sentence in the active voice while still maintaining its meaning? Revise each of the following sentences by changing the verb from the passive voice to the active voice. Some sentences could contain more than one passive verb; correct them all, rewriting them when necessary. Switching the passive voice into the active voice is straightforward, but it requires a bit of practice. With passive voice, the subject is acted upon by the verb. That's great! The passive voice has likely been heard of by you. Before the main performance, the comedian entertained the audience. (Sara is the subject, ate is the action), Copyright © 2020 LoveToKnow. Please do not merely eliminate information that you find difficult to revise into active voice. How could a writer best revise this sentence to avoid overly formal language? For example, here is a sentence in active voice: That same sentence in passive voice reads: Sometimes a sentence in passive voice doesn't necessarily sound "wrong" or wordy. Here are some tips and strategies for converting sentences from the passive to the active voice. Mr. Richardson is shopping for the perfect shelf on which to display his bowling trophy. Past tense– Active voice: She walked my dog home. In this very simple sentence, the active voice is the better choice. Read the sentence. answer choices In order to recognize that a sentence is in passive voice, watch out for these keywords: In order to change passive voice to active voice, you need to recognize what the subject of the sentence is and then rewrite the sentence so the subject is performing the action. However, it's still best to write in active voice whenever possible. In order to change the sentence from passive to active: Step One: Identify the subject of the sentence - who is doing an action? Olmsted and Calbert Vaux designed New York City's Central Park in 1857.​, The court decided that the contract was invalid.​, A janitor who was allergic to dust invented the first commercially successful portable vacuum cleaner.​, British author George Orwell wrote the allegorical novel. When a sentence is in active voice, the subject is performing the action and the subject (typically) comes before the action in the sentence. Use active voice. Sara ate the cheese. Revise the following sentences so that their verbs are in the active voice. Every sentence contains, at minimum, a subject and an action. Passive to Active. John will clean the room every Saturday. If you’re writing anything with a definitive subject who’s performing an action, you’ll be better off using the active voice. They are attending training. Which of the underlined words in the follow-ing sentence could be edited without changing the meaning?M y friend thinks love is a basic and funda mental h uman need. 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