π What is Passive Voice?
Passive voice happens when the subject of a sentence receives the action, instead of performing it. It can make your writing sound weak and unclear. Active voice, on the other hand, makes your writing direct and engaging.
π A Little History
The passive voice has been used in writing for centuries, often in formal or scientific contexts where the focus is on the action rather than the actor. However, modern writing often favors active voice for its clarity and directness.
π Key Principles to Avoid Passive Voice
- π Identify the Action: Find the verb in the sentence.
- π€ Find the Actor: Determine who or what is performing the action.
- βοΈ Rewrite: Reconstruct the sentence so the actor performs the action.
π Real-World Examples
Let's look at some examples:
| Passive Voice |
Active Voice |
| The ball was thrown by the boy. |
The boy threw the ball. |
| The cake was eaten by Sarah. |
Sarah ate the cake. |
| The letter was written by her. |
She wrote the letter. |
π‘ Tips and Tricks
- π§ Look for 'to be' verbs: Words like 'is,' 'are,' 'was,' and 'were' often indicate passive voice.
- βοΈ Ask 'by whom?': If you can easily add 'by someone' to the end of the sentence, it's likely passive.
- π Reverse the Sentence: Try flipping the sentence around to see if you can make the subject perform the action.
β
Conclusion
Avoiding passive voice will make your writing stronger, clearer, and more engaging. Practice identifying and rewriting passive sentences, and soon you'll be writing like a pro!