SparkNotes Shopping Cart  |     |  Checkout
Brought to you by Barnes and Noble
Ultimate Style. The Rules of Writing. Real Writers Need Rules.
Usage

 
Active Voice
Active voice refers to sentences where the subject performs the action of the verb instead of receiving it.
Active voice:The goth kids boycotted the prom.
The subject (goth kids) performs the action (boycotted).
Passive voice: The prom was boycotted by the goth kids.
The subject (prom) receives the action (boycotted).
Although sentences in the passive voice are not grammatically incorrect, active voice is usually preferable. Active voice will make your writing specific, interesting, and muscular.
Undesirable: The morning announcements are always read by Mrs. Pringle.
Desirable: Mrs. Pringle always reads the morning announcements.
Occasionally, you won’t know who or what performed an action, and you’ll have to use the passive voice.
• Leah’s car was stolen in the dead of night.

 
GO TO : 
Abbreviations Common Errors Formatting Parts of Speech Punctuation Usage
Ultimate Style. The Rules of Writing. Real Writers Need Rules.
Help | Feedback | Make a request | Report an error | Send to a friend
 
These lavishly illustrated guidebooks will help you master Shakespeare fast.
More...
 
101 Shakespeare is your one-stop college course companion.
More...
 
 
Usage