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WORDSMITHSWe’re all about communicating
PASSIVE or ACTIVE VOICE? One of the Top Three Questions in Our Seminars Why does the grammar checker of your word processing program highlight passive voice? Actually, it is offering you an “alert” to question the need for passive voice. Active voice is generally recommended for both oral and written communication because it is more dynamic. What is voice? Voice is when the verb shows whether the subject performs the action or receives the action. The English language has two voices: active voice and passive voice. A verb is passive when its action is performed upon the subject. A verb is active when the subject performs the action. Clues for identifying passive voice include: (1) the use of the verb “be” in all its forms; e.g., is, am, are, was, were, etc.; and (2) the frequent use of a “by phrase”; e.g., the report was read by the management team. Passive voice generates a longer, vague sentence that is perceived as dull and impersonal. Active voice delivers a shorter, clearer sentence that is more powerful and personal.
To change a passive voice sentence to active voice, ask this question: Who did what? Answer the question in the way that it’s asked; put the “who” first, the “did” next, and follow with the “what.”
Please be an ACTIVE participant instead of a PASSIVE one. Send us your questions or ideas for future topics. You can reach us at XXXXXX. For more about our seminars which feature speaking, writing, grammar, and proofreading, contact us at XXXXXXX or call Creative Business Resources, Inc., 1.816.415.1681. CAROL ANN SASSO . . .
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