Active Voice vs. Passive Voice: Transform Your Writing Style
As a writer, learning how to write in active voice is the gold standard for most content. But what exactly is active voice, and why is it better than passive voice?
If you want to thrive as a content writer, there are a few active writing rules to follow. Active voice is the key to streamlining your writing, improving readability, and creating impactful content.
What is Active Voice in Writing?
In an active voice sentence, the subject of the sentence carries out the verb. The sentence focuses on the subject’s action. Here are some active voice examples:
- The horse (subject) drank (verb) the water (object).
- The teacher (subject) gave (verb) the speech (object).
- They (subject) canceled (verb) the event (object).
When you use active voice, the subject comes first, the verb comes next, and the object receiving the action follows. This type of writing is straightforward and clear.
What is Passive Voice in Writing?
Passive voice sentences focus on the subject experiencing the action of the verb. Here are the above examples written in passive voice:
- The water (object) was drunk (verb) by the horse (subject).
- The speech (object) was given (verb) by the teacher (subject).
- The event (object) was canceled (verb).
When you use passive voice, the object comes first, then the verb and the subject. Passive sentences include a form of “to be” (in the example above, “was”), a past participle (“drunk,” “given,” and “canceled”), and in some cases a preposition (“by”).
The Difference Between Active Writing vs Passive Voice
You can express the same idea with active and passive writing, so what’s the difference?
Active and passive structures emphasize different aspects of your sentence. For example, “Claire completed the project” focuses on the subject, Claire, and her achievement. It positions Claire as involved and engaged.
“The project was completed by Claire” is indirect and less commanding in the passive voice compared to the active voice. The focus shifts toward the project itself. A shorter version of the passive sentence is “The project was completed,” eliminating Claire’s contributions.
The Benefits of Active Writing (With Active Writing Examples)
In most situations, using an active voice is one of the basic guidelines for effective writing. From a content writing perspective, there are several practical reasons why the active voice is the best choice:
It Creates an Authoritative Voice
Company executives, business owners, and industry experts want to sound authoritative and credible. The direct, punchy style of the active voice instantly gives top-level professionals a strong writing delivery.
For instance:
- Active: We deliver efficient service, affordable rates, and dependable work you can count on.
- Passive: You can count on efficient service, affordable rates, and dependable work delivered by us.
While the passive version works, it doesn’t pack the punch.
The active voice gives a straightforward delivery with authority because the focus is on what the company can do for the customer.
It’s Easier to Read
When content writing agencies, marketers, and other stakeholders want easy-to-read sentences with a high readability score, that typically means they want you to write in the active voice.
Why? Because reading in the active voice requires less effort.
Active: John’s sister plays the harp beautifully. She earned her music degree while attending Baker University. She also plays three other instruments.
Passive: The harp is beautifully played by John’s sister. Her music degree was earned while attending Baker University. Three other instruments are also played by her.
This example demonstrates how filling your paragraphs with passive sentences will exhaust your readers with confusing sentences.
It Uses Fewer Words
Less is more in content writing. Using fewer words allows you to get right to the point while also avoiding fluff.
Active: A personal injury lawyer takes your case. Then, you can file a lawsuit. A jury will decide the verdict, and you may win your case.
Passive: Your case will be taken by a personal injury lawyer. Then, a lawsuit can be filed by you. The verdict will be decided by a jury, and your case may be won by you.
In this particular example, there is more meaningful content in the active voice than in the passive voice because it gets right to the point with fewer words.
How to Write in Active Voice
If you’re trying to follow active voice guidelines or simply want to improve your writing with an active style, it only takes a couple of simple steps.
Look for Passive Voice
When you’re writing a first draft or conducting a legacy content refresh, keep the rules of active voice top of mind. How do you effectively edit for active voice as you’re writing? Simply identify the characteristics of passive voice sentences and change the structure.
To find a passive voice sentence, read through your draft and look for the form of “to be” (be, am, is, are, was, were, being, and been) combined with a past participle. For example, “was eaten,” “has been studied,” and “is being impacted” all indicate passive voice. Searching for prepositions like “by” and “for” (e.g. she is known for her courage) can sometimes identify passive voice sentences but it depends on the context.
Change the Sentence Structure
Once you find passive phrases, simply follow the active voice sentence structure to elevate your writing. Active voice follows a simple formula: subject, verb, object. The action itself is your verb. Whoever performs the action is your subject. If their action impacts something else, that’s your subject. Once you identify each part of the sentence, eliminate the form of “to be” + past participle, and rearrange the sentence with your active verb.
If you’re wondering how to write in active voice for past tense and present tense, the process is the same. With the past tense, a passive sentence like “The documents were shredded by John” will change to “John shredded the documents” in its active form. The present tense sentence “The documents are being shredded by John” becomes “John is shredding the documents.” The active voice structure of subject, verb, and object works in both instances.
If you’re having trouble or need a quick tool to help edit your sentences, use this passive-to-active voice converter.
Get Active in Your Writing Style
Using the active voice consistently in your content writing can be challenging if you haven’t mastered it. By using the tips above and identifying passive voice sentences, you will find active voice drastically improves your writing and enhances readability. Start enhancing your writing skills today with more tips from our blog and level up your content today.
An earlier version of this post was published in June, 2018 by Edward L.
Wilhemina has years of experience writing in the tech and business space.
