Understanding Correct Passive Voice: A Key to Better Writing

When it comes to constructing sentences, two main voices come into play: active and passive. Active voice focuses on the subject performing the action, while passive voice highlights the subject receiving the action. In this article, we'll delve into the world of correct passive voice, exploring its benefits, how to identify it, and why it's essential for effective writing.

Benefits of Passive Voice

Passive voice may seem counterintuitive at first, but it offers several advantages in various writing styles. For instance, in scientific or formal writing, where the primary focus lies on the action rather than the doer, passive voice is extensively used. This voice provides clear and concise sentences where the agent of action is easily identifiable, making it a popular choice for most writers.

Identifying Passive Voice

To identify passive voice, simply add 'by zombies' to the end of your sentence. If it makes grammatical sense, your sentence is passive! For example, 'Mistakes were made by zombies' makes sense, whereas 'I made mistakes by zombies' doesn't. This trick may seem silly, but it's an effective way to determine whether a sentence uses passive voice.

Readable.io and Passive Voice

Our site, readable.io, recognizes passive voice verbs and highlights them for easy correction. With this tool, you can identify passive voice in your writing and make necessary changes to improve its clarity and readability.

Why Active Voice is Preferred

While active voice may not be as straightforward as passive voice, it's generally preferred due to its directness, specificity, and ease of understanding. In contrast, passive voice gives writing a stilted, formal tone and makes sentences more difficult to comprehend by obscuring who performs the action.

Influence on Readability

Passive voice can negatively impact readability by making it harder for readers to determine who is performing the action. This can lead to confusion and decreased comprehension. In contrast, active voice is shorter and clearer, making it a better choice for writers concerned about readability and plain language.

Examples of Passive Voice

To illustrate the difference between active and passive voice, consider these examples:

* 'The chef prepared a delicious meal.' (Active voice)

* 'A delicious meal was prepared by the chef.' (Passive voice)

In the first example, the subject 'chef' performs the action 'prepared,' whereas in the second example, the subject receives the action. The same principle applies to this sentence:

* 'Warren received the wrong envelope.' (Passive voice)

* 'The assistant gave Warren the wrong envelope.' (Active voice)

Mastering correct passive voice is crucial for effective writing. By understanding its benefits, identifying it through simple tricks, and using tools like readable.io, writers can improve their craft and communicate more clearly with their audience. Remember that active voice is generally preferred due to its directness and clarity, but passive voice has its own advantages in specific contexts. With practice and patience, you'll become proficient in using both voices to enhance your writing.

Correct passive voice