Identifying Active versus Passive Sentences

One way to immediately improve your writing is to use active rathe than passive voice in most sentences.

Active voice and passive voice contain the following grammatical patterns:

Active voice: Doer as Subject $+$ Verb $+$ Object

Passive voice: Object as Subject $+$ Be Verb $+$ Verb $+$ Doer $($Optional$)$

Using active voice in writing includes many benefits. The doer$-$action$-$object pattern allows for faster processing because most people's natural thinking occurs in this way. It also emphasizes the business orientation of action. Perhaps most important, it specifies the doer. Since business activities depend on accountability and coordination, knowing the identity of the doer of an action is usually important. In most cases, active voice also makes your sentences more concise.

Generally, active sentences are most effective in business writing. Passive sentences, however, are more effective when you want to avoid blaming or sounding bossy.

In this exercise, you will identify whether sentences are in active or passive form.

Group the sentences as being either passive or active. Move each label to the correct drop zone box. The notes button next to a label provides more information.