May 5: Use active voice

A look at how to use the active and passive voice.

Source: Plain Language
Published: October 2020

Use active voice

Active voice makes it clear who is doing what. It eliminates ambiguity about responsibilities. Passive voice obscures who is responsible for what.

✘  Passive Voice

• The document about delighting customers was written by the company.

• The video was streamed on Twitch.

• The Climate Pledge was signed.

✔  Active Voice

• Zappos wrote the document about delighting customers.

• Zhang streamed the video on Twitch.

• 105 companies have signed the Climate Pledge.

Bonus: Use the Zombie test: If you can add “…by Zombies” at the end of a sentence, rephrase it to use active voice. 

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