STyle Booster 2: Using Active Voice
Like active people, active voice verbs accomplish more, more effectively.
Have you ever had a passive friend? -- one who never seems to make any decisions for him/herself?
You ask, "Where would you like to eat for lunch today?" He answers, "I don't know. Where do you want to go?" At the restaurant you ask, "So what do you think you're going to get?" He answers, "I don't know. What are you having?" A day with this friend leaves you exhausted...and no wonder! You had to make all the decisions that day!
Passive people tend to have weak voices and hardly ever stand up for themselves or voice what they want. In this friendship you always feel like you have to take the active lead in every decision and activity.
In many ways, verbs are like people. Verbs can either have an "active" voice or a "passive voice." Passive voice verbs, if used without reason, leave the reader feeling exhausted.
This style booster will help you understand why using the active voice is usually more effective. And like all rules in the English language, you will learn when to use the passive voice. Just click on the videos (courtesy of MrsBrownRocks' Youtube channel) and complete the interactive online exercises.
You ask, "Where would you like to eat for lunch today?" He answers, "I don't know. Where do you want to go?" At the restaurant you ask, "So what do you think you're going to get?" He answers, "I don't know. What are you having?" A day with this friend leaves you exhausted...and no wonder! You had to make all the decisions that day!
Passive people tend to have weak voices and hardly ever stand up for themselves or voice what they want. In this friendship you always feel like you have to take the active lead in every decision and activity.
In many ways, verbs are like people. Verbs can either have an "active" voice or a "passive voice." Passive voice verbs, if used without reason, leave the reader feeling exhausted.
This style booster will help you understand why using the active voice is usually more effective. And like all rules in the English language, you will learn when to use the passive voice. Just click on the videos (courtesy of MrsBrownRocks' Youtube channel) and complete the interactive online exercises.
Part 1: Learn the basics
Lesson 1: Active VS Passive Voice
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Lesson 2: When To Use Passive Voice
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Part 2: Practice Revising for Active Voice
The following interactive exercises (courtesy of Towson University Online Writing Center) provide plenty of practice. Your teacher may ask you to complete one or all of the exercises depending on your skill level.
Towson University Online Writing Center: Self-Teaching Unit
Towson University Online Writing Center: Self-Teaching Unit