Passive voice is often used in writing, but it can make sentences sound less engaging and clear. By changing passive voice to active, you can make your writing more direct and dynamic. Here, we will explore how to make this transformation with some simple tips.
Passive voice occurs when the subject of a sentence is acted upon by the verb, rather than performing the action. This can lead to awkward and wordy sentences. By switching to active voice, the subject performs the action, making your writing more concise and engaging.
How to Change Passive Voice to Active
One way to change passive voice to active is by identifying the subject performing the action in the sentence. For example, in the passive sentence “The book was read by Sarah,” the subject is “Sarah.” To change it to active voice, simply restructure the sentence to say “Sarah read the book.” This makes the sentence clearer and more direct.
Another tip is to look for the verb “to be” in passive sentences, such as “is,” “was,” or “were.” By replacing these verbs with active verbs, you can create more dynamic and engaging sentences. For instance, instead of saying “The cake was baked by John,” you can say “John baked the cake.” This simple change makes the sentence more lively and engaging.
Additionally, pay attention to the order of the words in the sentence. In passive voice, the object of the action often comes before the subject. By switching the order to have the subject perform the action first, you can easily convert passive voice to active. For example, change “The report was written by the team” to “The team wrote the report.” This change makes the sentence more direct and engaging.
Lastly, be mindful of word choice and phrasing. Passive voice often uses more words and can sound more formal or distant. By using active voice, you can make your writing more concise and engaging. Choose strong verbs and clear subjects to make your sentences more dynamic and direct.
In conclusion, changing passive voice to active can greatly improve the clarity and engagement of your writing. By following these simple tips and being mindful of sentence structure and word choice, you can transform passive sentences into active ones that are clear, concise, and engaging.