What does it mean to avoid passive voice?
Using the passive voice distances the subject from the action of the sentence, which leads to less clarity and urgency. It can also add unnecessary words to your manuscript, since the passive voice generally requires more auxiliary verbs than the active voice does.
Why should you avoid using passive voice?
One reason writers are advised to avoid using passive voice is that passive sentences tend to be wordier than active sentences. Another problem with using passive voice is that it makes the object of the action the subject of the sentence, which can make the sentence difficult to follow.
How do you remove the passive voice in Word?
Click the Spelling & Grammar tab. Then, under Grammar, click Settings, and clear the Passive sentences check box. In Word 2007, click Settings on the Proofing tab, and then clear the Passive sentences check box. Click OK two times.
How do you revise passive voice?
To revise an active sentence into passive voice, follow these steps:
- Shift the object of the action into the beginning of the sentence (the subject position).
- Change the verb as needed.
- If you want to keep the actor, the original subject, shift it to the end of the sentence and insert the word by in front of it.
What is the easiest way to fix passive voice?
Passive voice is easy to fix. All you have to do is rewrite your sentence so that the subject of your sentence comes before the verb. You’ll find your sentences tighten up as you do so, which automatically improves your writing, too.
Why should you avoid passive voice?
One reason writers are advised to avoid using passive voice is that passive sentences tend to be wordier than active sentences. Take the following sentences for instance. Passive voice: “The house is cleaned once a week by Sarah.” Active voice: “Sarah cleans the house once a week.” Another problem…
What are two reasons to avoid passive voice?
There are two main reasons for this. 1. It is wordy Firstly, passive sentences are wordy. The passive alternative to an active sentence is simply longer. For example, consider these two sentences: 1. The passive voice almost always makes your message less clear. 2. Your message is almost always made less clear by using the passive voice.
Should I completely eliminate passive voice?
Avoid passive voice to increase your chances of getting more than five minutes of an editor’s time. Active Voice Strengthens Your Prose Avoiding passive voice will set you apart from much of your competition, but even better, it will give your writing a distinct ring of clarity.
Is it ever correct to use passive voice?
Never use passive voice. Ever heard that advice before? It’s a good rule of thumb and likely the best option if you’re not sure what to do. But, like most rules, it’s not without exceptions. That’s right. Despite what your teachers told you, there are some instances where you might actually want to use passive voice. In this article, we’ll cover some notable examples.