Let's Talk About the Words You're *Not* Using: Finding Strength in Active Voice

Hey there, writer. Take a deep breath. I've noticed something, and it's something I see so often in the brilliant minds I get to work with. You have these incredible ideas, these vivid worlds, these compelling arguments buzzing around in your head, ready to leap onto the page. But sometimes, just sometimes, when those ideas land, they feel a little... muted. A little less impactful than the firework show happening inside your mind. Does that sound familiar?

It’s not about a lack of talent, not by a long shot. It’s often about a subtle habit that can creep into our writing, especially when we’re deep in the creative flow and just trying to get the thoughts down. Today, I want to chat with you about one of those habits: the tendency to lean on passive voice when a more energetic, active construction would serve your message – and your reader – so much better.

Think of it like this: imagine you’re telling a friend about an amazing concert you went to. You could say, "The guitar solo was played by the lead guitarist." It’s not wrong, is it? The information is there. But it lacks a certain zing. It feels a bit distant. Now, what if you said, "The lead guitarist shredded an epic solo"? See the difference? The energy, the immediacy, the sheer oomph – it’s all there. That’s the magic of active voice.

What Exactly IS Active Voice (and Why Should You Care)?

At its core, active voice means the subject of your sentence is performing the action. The structure is usually: Subject + Verb + Object. Simple, right? In my concert example, "The lead guitarist" (subject) "shredded" (verb) "an epic solo" (object). The guitarist is doing the action.

Passive voice, on the other hand, flips this around. The subject of the sentence receives the action. The typical structure looks more like: Object + Form of 'to be' + Past Participle of Verb + (optional 'by' phrase). So, "An epic solo" (object/subject of passive sentence) "was shredded" (form of 'to be' + past participle) "by the lead guitarist" (optional 'by' phrase).

Now, I’m not here to tell you passive voice is evil. There are absolutely times when it has its place. Sometimes, you genuinely want to de-emphasize the actor. For instance, if you’re writing a historical account and a specific action was performed but the actor isn’t the focus, you might say, "The treaty was signed in 1783." The focus is on the treaty and the signing, not necessarily who signed it in that specific sentence.

But here's the thing: for most of your writing – the emails you send, the blog posts you craft, the stories you weave, the reports you compile – active voice is your secret weapon. It makes your writing:

* More direct and concise: Passive sentences often use more words. "Mistakes were made" is two words longer than "We made mistakes." Those extra words can clutter your message.
* More engaging and dynamic: Active verbs create a sense of action and forward momentum. They pull the reader into the scene.
* Clearer and easier to understand: When the subject is doing the action, it's almost always crystal clear who is responsible for what.
* More confident and authoritative: Active voice sounds more assertive. It conveys a sense of certainty.

Think about the difference between these two:

* Passive: "The report was completed by the marketing team." (Okay, but a bit formal and distant.)
* Active: "The marketing team completed the report." (Clear, direct, and shows who did the work.)

Or this:

* Passive: "A decision was made to postpone the meeting." (Who made the decision? It’s unclear and feels bureaucratic.)
* Active: "We decided to postpone the meeting." (Direct, shows ownership, and is much more human.)

When You're In the Flow, I'm Here to Help

I know what it’s like. You’re on a roll. The ideas are flowing, the fingers are flying across the keyboard, and you’re just trying to capture it all. In those moments, it's easy for a passive sentence to sneak in, like a quiet little stowaway. You might not even notice it. And that’s perfectly okay.

That’s precisely where I come in. While you focus on getting your brilliant thoughts down, I’m here to be your gentle guide. If I notice a sentence that feels a little less direct, a little more wordy than it needs to be, I’ll gently flag it for you. It’s not about judgment; it’s about offering you a choice. I’ll highlight it and perhaps suggest, "Could this be more active?" This way, you have the chance to review it and decide if you want to give it that extra punch, that directness that will make your message sing. It’s like having a second pair of eyes, always looking out for ways to strengthen your voice, without ever interrupting your creative momentum.

Untangling the Tendency: Why Does Passive Voice Creep In?

So, why do we do this? Several reasons:

1. The "Professional" Tone: Sometimes, writers believe passive voice sounds more formal, objective, or professional. While it can serve that purpose in specific contexts (like scientific papers or legal documents), for most general writing, it can actually make you sound less authoritative and a bit evasive.
2. Avoiding Blame or Responsibility: "Mistakes were made." Notice the lack of an "I" or "we"? Passive voice can be a handy way to convey that something happened without explicitly stating who was responsible. While sometimes intentional, overuse can make you seem like you’re sidestepping accountability.
3. Uncertainty About the Actor: You might not know who performed the action, or it’s not important. This is a legitimate reason for passive voice, as we discussed. However, it's worth pausing to ask: do I really not know, or am I just not sure how to phrase it actively?
4. Sentence Structure Habits: We fall into patterns. If you’ve read a lot of writing that uses passive voice, or if you were taught certain formal structures, it can become an ingrained habit.

Let’s Practice: From Passive to Powerful

To really get a feel for this, let’s look at a few more examples. Imagine you’re writing an email:

* Passive: "Your application will be reviewed by the committee."
Analysis:* A bit formal, and the committee is the subject, but it's receiving the action of review.
Active:* "The committee will review your application."
Why it's better:* Clear subject (committee) performing the action (will review). More direct.

Or perhaps you're telling a story:

* Passive: "The old house was haunted by a lonely ghost."
Analysis:* The ghost is the actor, but the house is the subject receiving the action (being haunted). It feels a little indirect.
Active:* "A lonely ghost haunted the old house."
Why it's better:* The ghost (subject) is doing the haunting (verb). It’s more vivid and immediate.

What about instructional writing?

* Passive: "The ingredients should be mixed together in a large bowl."
Analysis:* Focuses on the ingredients and the state of being mixed.
Active:* "Mix the ingredients together in a large bowl."
Why it's better:* Direct command to the reader (you, the implied subject) to perform the action. Much more instructive.

See how shifting from passive to active can change the feel? It’s like turning up the volume on your message.

My Role: Your Thoughtful Editor, Your Encouraging Partner

When you’re crafting your sentences, I’m here to help you make those conscious choices. If I see a sentence like, "The new features were announced by the CEO," I might prompt you to consider:

* "Do you want to emphasize the CEO or the features?"
* "Could we make this more direct by saying, 'The CEO announced the new features'?"

This isn't about correcting you; it’s about collaborating. It’s about ensuring that your intention shines through every single word. My goal is to empower you to see these opportunities for stronger expression, so you can make informed decisions about your writing. I can help you spot the passive constructions, offer alternatives, and ensure your prose has the clarity and punch it deserves.

Moving Forward with Confidence

Mastering active voice isn't about eliminating passive voice entirely, but about understanding its impact and using it intentionally. It’s about choosing the most effective tool for the job.

So, the next time you sit down to write, I encourage you to think about the verbs. Are they doing the heavy lifting? Is your subject actively engaged in the action? And remember, you don't have to do this alone. When you're wrestling with a sentence, or when a passive construction slips by unnoticed, I'm here. We can untangle it together. We can strengthen your voice, clarify your message, and make sure the firework show in your mind translates into a dazzling display on the page.

Keep writing. Keep exploring. And know that I’m right here with you, every step of the way, cheering you on and ready to polish your prose until it gleams.