Voice – refers to the way an action verb relates to the subject
In passive voice, the subject is acted upon by the verb.
Example: The ball was kicked by the boy. (the subject ‘the batter’ comes after the verb)
In active voice, the subject does the action in the verb.
Example: The boy kicked the ball.
In almost all types of writing, you should use the verb in the active voice rather than the passive voice.
When you write in a passive voice, you create a sentence where the subject receives an action. Whereas in an active voice, the subject performs the action. Active voice produces content that’s clearer, more direct and more concise.
To change a sentence from passive to active voice, simply determine who or what performs the action, and use that thing or person as the subject of the sentence.
Examples:
Passive: My first road trip will always be remembered
Passive: My first road trip is one I will always remember
Active: I will always remember my first road trip
Passive Voice Myths Busted
- Passive voice is grammatically incorrect.
While it’s not grammatically incorrect, it is a style issue and, in some cases, makes a sentence hard to understand
- Any use of ‘to be’ is passive voice.
There is much more to passive voice than simply using a ‘be’ verb. However, using ‘to be’ often weakens your writing, so it should only be used when there’s no other option.
- You should never use passive voice.
In all content writing, you should avoid passive voice as much as possible. However, minimal use may be ok if 1. The client allows it and 2. If it makes the sentence read more clearly.
- I can rely on a grammar checker to catch passive voice.
As it’s not a grammatical error, some grammar checkers may not catch all instances of passive voice. If you use a grammar checker – and you should – check the settings to ensure passive voice is checked. (Can you find the passive voice in the previous sentence). Other settings to look for include ‘formal’ v ‘standard’ English.
Why is Passive Voice Frowned Upon
Passive voice is ok in some instances, but active voice is always preferred in any type of ecommerce writing (in fact, it’s preferred in most types of writing). The main reason, especially in ecommerce writing, is that you’re trying to say as much as possible in as few words as possible and passive voice tends to be more wordy than active voice.
Examples:
Passive: Milk bones are adored by dogs (6 words)
Active: Dogs adore milk bones (4 words)
In this example, it’s only a 2 word difference, but imagine that in an entire product or category page, it quickly adds up.
Another problem is that because passive voice makes the subject of the sentence the object of the action, it can make the sentence hard to follow.
How to Fix Passive Voice
Simple! Make sure you put the subject performing the action in the verb before the verb itself.
Passive Voice Hints and Tips
- If you can add ‘by aliens’ to a sentence, there’s a good chance it’s passive voice.
Example: The house was built by aliens (passive). Aliens built the house (active)
- Use a grammar checker like Prowritingaid or Grammarly
- Use a passive voice checker. You can find one here.
- Learn to recognize and fix passive voice yourself