Let's Talk About Those Words You're *Not* Using (And Why It Matters)

Hey there, writer. Lean in for a sec. I've noticed something, and honestly, it’s something I see in almost everyone I work with. You have this incredible fire inside you, a story begging to be told, an idea that could change someone's perspective. You sit down, you pour your heart out, and then you read it back, and… it feels a little… muted. Like a whisper when you intended a shout. Does that sound familiar?

We’ve all been there. That moment when the brilliance you felt doesn’t quite translate to the page. It’s not a lack of talent, not at all. It’s often something far more subtle, a tiny habit that can drain the power from even the most compelling prose. Today, I want to chat with you about one of those subtle saboteurs: the passive voice.

Now, before you roll your eyes and think, "Oh no, another grammar lecture!" hear me out. I’m not here to be your stern English teacher. I’m here as your partner, your sounding board, the quiet voice beside you helping you polish your gems. And this isn't about rigid rules; it’s about impact. It's about making your words sing, leap, and grab your reader by the lapels. It's about ensuring that your powerful ideas land with the force they deserve.

What Exactly Is Passive Voice, Anyway?

Think of a sentence like a tiny stage. In the spotlight, you have the actor (the subject) performing an action (the verb) on someone or something else (the object). In an active sentence, the actor is doing the doing. For example:

Active: The author wrote the book.*
Subject: The author. Verb: wrote. Object: the book.
See how clear that is? The author is the one performing the action of writing.

Now, imagine the spotlight shifts. Instead of focusing on who’s doing the action, we focus on what’s receiving the action. The subject of the sentence becomes the thing being acted upon, and the doer of the action might be hidden or placed later in the sentence, often after a preposition like "by". This is the passive voice.

Passive: The book was written by the author.*
Subject: The book. Verb: was written. Actor (optional): by the author.

Notice how the energy shifts? The focus is now on the book, not the author. The action of writing, while still present, feels a little more distant, a little less immediate.

Why Does This Matter So Much?

This isn't just an academic exercise. The choice between active and passive voice has a profound impact on your writing. It affects:

1. Clarity and Directness: Active voice is almost always clearer and more direct. It tells the reader exactly who is doing what. Passive voice can sometimes be vague, especially if the doer of the action is omitted.
Passive (vague): Mistakes were made.*
* Who made them? We don't know. This sounds like an excuse, doesn't it?
Active (clear): I made mistakes. or The team made mistakes.*
* Now we know who is accountable.

2. Conciseness: Passive sentences often use more words. They tend to rely on forms of the verb "to be" (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been) combined with a past participle. Compare:
Passive: The decision was made by the committee to postpone the meeting.* (11 words)
Active: The committee decided to postpone the meeting.* (7 words)
That's a significant saving in words, and your reader gets to the point faster.

3. Engagement and Energy: Active voice is generally more dynamic and engaging. It creates a sense of movement and immediacy. Passive voice can feel more static, detached, and sometimes even bureaucratic or evasive.
Passive: The ball was thrown by the pitcher.*
* It's fine, but a bit… polite.
Active: The pitcher threw the ball.*
* More punch, right? You can almost see the wind-up.

4. Responsibility and Ownership: As we saw with "Mistakes were made," passive voice can be used (intentionally or unintentionally) to obscure responsibility. Active voice clearly assigns action to a subject, fostering a sense of ownership.

When Is Passive Voice Okay? (Yes, It Has Its Place!)

Now, I’m not saying you should never use passive voice. That would be like telling a painter to never use a certain color. There are absolutely times when it’s the best choice:

* When the actor is unknown or irrelevant: If a historical event happened, and we don't know who did it, passive is necessary.
Example: The ancient pottery was discovered near the river. (We don't know who* discovered it, and maybe that's not the important part.)

When you want to emphasize the recipient of the action: Sometimes, the thing being acted upon is* the most important element.
Example: The new treatment was hailed as a breakthrough.* (The focus is on the treatment and its reception, not necessarily the specific people who hailed it.)

* To create a specific tone or effect: In scientific writing, for instance, passive voice is often used to maintain an objective tone, focusing on the experiment or findings rather than the researcher.
Example: The samples were heated to 100 degrees Celsius.* (Focus is on the process, not the person operating the equipment.)

* To vary sentence structure: Overusing active voice can become monotonous. A strategic passive sentence can provide a nice change of pace.

So, How Do We Tame the Passive Beast?

This is where we work together. When you’re deep in the writing zone, ideas flowing like a river, it’s easy for passive constructions to creep in. They’re subtle! They don’t announce themselves with flashing red lights.

That’s precisely why I’m here. Think of me as your discerning eye, scanning your words not just for typos, but for these nuances that can subtly alter your message. When I spot a sentence that leans passive, I won’t just slap a red line under it and leave you hanging. My goal is to help you make the best choice.

I might highlight it and offer a gentle suggestion: "Could this be more direct?" Or perhaps I’ll present the active alternative right beside it, like this:

Your draft: A proposal was submitted by the team.*
What we can explore together: The team submitted a proposal.*

See the difference? The second version is tighter, more direct, and places the focus squarely on the team's action. It feels more… decisive.

It’s about building that awareness. We can look at sentences together and ask:

* Who is doing the action here?
* Is that person or thing clearly stated as the subject?
* Is the sentence as strong and direct as it could be?
* Is the passive voice serving a specific purpose, or is it just a linguistic habit?

Often, transforming a passive sentence into an active one is as simple as identifying the real doer and making them the subject. Other times, it requires a slight rephrasing. My role is to be the partner who helps you spot those opportunities and make those choices confidently.

It's Your Voice, Amplified

Your unique voice is one of your greatest assets as a writer. It’s what makes your work stand out, what connects you to your readers on a deeper level. The passive voice, when overused, can dilute that voice, making it sound hesitant or impersonal.

By consciously choosing active voice more often, you're not just improving your grammar; you're amplifying your voice. You’re ensuring that your passion, your authority, and your message cut through the noise. You’re making your writing more vibrant, more memorable, and more impactful.

Don't get me wrong, the first draft is often a glorious mess. It’s about getting the ideas out. That’s where the magic begins! But then, we refine. We polish. We make sure every word is pulling its weight, and that the sentences are as strong and clear as they can possibly be. That's the dance of revision, and it’s a dance I love doing with you.

So, the next time you’re reviewing your work, take a moment to listen to the rhythm of your sentences. Does the actor feel present? Is the action vibrant? If something feels a little flat, let’s look at it together. We'll find those opportunities to switch from a whisper to a clear, confident statement. We'll ensure your voice shines through, bold and unmistakable.

Remember, I’m not here to judge your writing; I’m here to help you unlock its full potential. We're a team. You bring the brilliant ideas and the raw words, and I'll help you shape them, clarify them, and make them resonate. Let's make your words count.