How to Eliminate Passive Voice and Revise Your Writing

Passive voice can often weaken the impact of your writing and make it unclear or less engaging. It is important to understand what passive voice is and how to identify it in order to eliminate it from your writing. In this article, we will explore the concept of passive voice, provide examples, and offer tips on how to revise your writing effectively.

What is Passive Voice?

Passive voice occurs when the subject of a sentence receives the action rather than performs it. In passive voice constructions, the subject is often preceded by a form of the verb "to be" (such as "is," "are," "was," "were," or "has been") and followed by a past participle (such as "written," "done," "seen," or "passed").

Why is it Important to Eliminate Passive Voice?

Passive voice can lead to wordy and indirect writing, obscuring the true meaning of your sentences. It can also weaken the clarity and impact of your message. To maintain concise and effective communication, eliminating passive voice is essential. Active voice, on the other hand, makes your writing direct, strong, and engaging.

How to Identify Passive Voice?

Identifying passive voice is relatively simple once you know what to look for. Ask yourself these questions when reviewing your writing:

Is the subject of the sentence receiving the action rather than performing it?

Does the sentence contain a form of the verb to be followed by a past participle?

Can you rephrase the sentence to have the subject perform the action?

If you answer "yes" to these questions, your sentence likely contains passive voice and should be revised. Examples of Passive Voice: Passive: The book was written by Jane. Active: Jane wrote the book. Passive: The problem was solved by the team. Active: The team solved the problem. Passive: The cake was eaten by David. Active: David ate the cake.

How to Revise Passive Voice?

1. Identify the subject performing the action in the sentence. 2. Rewrite the sentence to place the subject before the verb. 3. Replace the verb form with an active verb. For example: Passive: The document was reviewed by the supervisor. Revised: The supervisor reviewed the document. Passive: The report was completed by me. Revised: I completed the report. Passive: The mistake was made by the employee. Revised: The employee made the mistake. By following these steps, you can easily revise your writing and eliminate passive voice.

Is Passive Voice Always Incorrect?

While it's generally advisable to reduce the use of passive voice, there are a few instances where it can be appropriate. For example, when the doer of the action is unknown, unimportant, or intentionally being omitted for stylistic purposes. Additionally, in scientific or technical writing, passive voice may be preferred to maintain a sense of objectivity. However, it is crucial to consider the context and purpose of your writing. In most cases, active voice is preferred for its directness, clarity, and impact on the reader. Eliminating passive voice is an important aspect of improving your writing. By taking the time to identify and revise sentences that contain passive voice, you can enhance the clarity and effectiveness of your message. Remember to ask yourself specific questions to determine if a sentence contains passive voice, and follow the steps mentioned to revise it. Let active voice become your go-to style for clear and engaging writing.