Understanding Voice in Writing
Voice refers to the relationship between the subject and the action in a sentence. Active voice creates more direct, engaging writing, while passive voice can make your writing feel distant or unclear.
Active vs. Passive Voice
Active Voice Structure
In active voice, the subject performs the action:
Subject + Verb + Object
- "The researcher conducted the study."
- "The team launched the product."
- "Students submitted their assignments."
Passive Voice Structure
In passive voice, the subject receives the action:
Subject + "to be" verb + Past Participle + (by + Actor)
- "The study was conducted by the researcher."
- "The product was launched by the team."
- "Assignments were submitted by students."
How to Identify Passive Voice
Look for These Indicators
- Forms of "to be" (is, are, was, were, being, been)
- Past participles (usually ending in -ed, -en, -t)
- The word "by" (though not always present)
The "by Zombie" Test
Add "by zombies" after the verb. If the sentence still makes sense, it's likely passive:
- "The report was written [by zombies]" ✓ Passive
- "She wrote the report [by zombies]" ✗ Active
Converting Passive to Active
Step-by-Step Process
- Identify who or what is performing the action
- Make that the subject of your sentence
- Use a strong, active verb
- Place the object after the verb
Examples of Conversion
Example 1
- Passive: "Mistakes were made in the analysis."
- Active: "The team made mistakes in the analysis."
Example 2
- Passive: "The results will be presented next week."
- Active: "Dr. Johnson will present the results next week."
Example 3
- Passive: "The decision was influenced by budget constraints."
- Active: "Budget constraints influenced the decision."
When Passive Voice is Appropriate
1. When the Actor is Unknown
"The building was constructed in 1892." (We don't know who built it)
2. When the Actor is Irrelevant
"The samples were analyzed for contamination." (Focus is on the samples, not who analyzed them)
3. When You Want to Emphasize the Object
"The Mona Lisa was painted by Leonardo da Vinci." (Emphasis on the painting)
4. In Scientific Writing
"The hypothesis was tested using controlled experiments." (Focus on methodology)
5. To Avoid Responsibility or Blame
"Errors were found in the report." (Diplomatic way to report problems)
Benefits of Active Voice
Clarity and Directness
Active voice makes it clear who is doing what, reducing ambiguity.
Conciseness
Active sentences are usually shorter and more efficient.
Engagement
Active voice creates more dynamic, engaging prose that holds readers' attention.
Accountability
Active voice clearly identifies who is responsible for actions.
Common Passive Voice Patterns to Watch
Business Writing
- "It has been decided" → "We decided"
- "Your request is being processed" → "We are processing your request"
- "The meeting was cancelled" → "John cancelled the meeting"
Academic Writing
- "It was found that..." → "The study found that..."
- "The data was collected" → "Researchers collected the data"
- "It is believed that..." → "Experts believe that..."
Practice Exercises
Sentence Transformation
Try converting these passive sentences to active voice:
- "The proposal was rejected by the committee."
- "Several improvements were suggested by the team."
- "The deadline was extended by management."
Use Our Writing Tool
Our reviewer tool can automatically identify passive voice in your writing and suggest active alternatives. Try it with your own text to see immediate improvements.
Finding the Right Balance
While active voice is generally preferred, the best writing uses both active and passive voice strategically. Vary your sentence structures to create rhythm and emphasize different elements as needed.