Avoiding Passive Voice: Tips and Benefits

Introduction

Passive voice is a common grammar mistake that can make your writing sound unclear and wordy. It is important to understand what passive voice is and how to identify it in order to avoid it in your writing. This article will provide tips and explanations on how to avoid writing in passive voice as well as the benefits of making this conscious effort.

Use Strong Verbs

One of the most effective ways to avoid using passive voice is to use strong verbs. Strong verbs are verbs that are more descriptive and vivid than regular verbs. They can help to make your writing more concise and engaging. For example, instead of saying “The ball was thrown by the boy,” you could say “The boy threw the ball.” By using the strong verb “threw,” you are able to express the same idea in fewer words.

Here are some examples of strong verbs:

• Hefted
• Screamed
• Dropped
• Ran
• Shouted

Be Specific

Another way to avoid writing in passive voice is to be as specific as possible when using nouns and verbs. Instead of saying “The cat ran away,” you could say “The black cat sprinted across the yard.” By being more specific, you are able to give your reader a clearer image of what is happening.

Here are some examples of being specific:

• The tall man walked slowly.
• The red car sped down the highway.
• The small dog barked loudly.
• The bright star twinkled in the night sky.

Limit Modifiers

It is also important to limit the number of modifiers you use when writing. Modifiers are words or phrases that modify or describe another word or phrase. Using too many modifiers can make your writing sound wordy and confusing. For example, instead of saying “The very large dog barked loudly,” you could say “The giant dog barked.” By limiting the number of modifiers, you are able to make your writing more concise.

Here are some examples of limiting modifiers:

• The loud noise.
• The dark forest.
• The hot day.
• The old tree.

Change Voice

In order to avoid writing in passive voice, you may need to change the voice of your sentences. Active voice is when the subject of the sentence performs the action, while passive voice is when the subject receives the action. For example, instead of saying “The book was written by John,” you could say “John wrote the book.” By changing the voice of the sentence, you are able to make your writing more clear and direct.

Here are some examples of how to rewrite sentences:

• The window was broken by the wind → The wind broke the window.
• The letter was written by Mary → Mary wrote the letter.
• The house was painted by the contractor → The contractor painted the house.
• The test was taken by the student → The student took the test.

Read Aloud

Reading your writing aloud can help you to identify any instances of passive voice. When you read aloud, you will be able to hear when something doesn’t sound right or when a sentence is too wordy. Pay attention to words such as “was,” “were,” and “by” as they may indicate that the sentence is in passive voice. Reading aloud can also help you to catch any spelling or grammar mistakes.

Here are some things to look out for when reading aloud:

• Sentences that sound awkward or unclear.
• Sentences that are too long or wordy.
• Words such as “was,” “were,” and “by.”
• Spelling and grammar mistakes.

Ask Questions

Asking yourself questions about your writing can help you to identify and avoid passive voice. Ask yourself who or what performed the action in each sentence. If the answer is unclear or if the subject is not performing the action, then the sentence may be in passive voice. Asking yourself questions can also help you to determine if a sentence is too wordy or if there is a more concise way to express the same idea.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

• Who or what performed the action in this sentence?
• Is this sentence too wordy?
• Is there a more concise way to express this idea?
• Does this sentence make sense?
• Does this sentence sound natural?

Consult a Grammar Checker

Using a grammar checker can help you to identify any instances of passive voice in your writing. Most grammar checkers will highlight any words or phrases that may be in passive voice, allowing you to easily spot any mistakes. Some grammar checkers may even suggest alternate ways to rewrite the sentence in active voice. Consult a grammar checker before submitting any writing assignments or documents.

Here are some things to look for in a grammar checker:

• Highlighted words or phrases that may be in passive voice.
• Suggestions for alternate ways to rewrite the sentence.
• Spelling and grammar mistakes.
• Word choice suggestions.
• Tips on how to improve your writing.

Conclusion

Writing in passive voice can make your writing sound unclear and wordy. In order to avoid passive voice, it is important to use strong verbs, be specific, limit modifiers, change voice, read aloud, ask questions, and consult a grammar checker. By making a conscious effort to avoid passive voice, you will be able to make your writing more concise and engaging.

The benefits of avoiding passive voice include making your writing easier to read and understand, improving its clarity and impact, and making it sound more natural. By following these tips and tricks, you will be able to identify and avoid passive voice in your writing.