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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Did you appreciate the fact today?