Let's Talk About the Words You're Not Using: A Guide to Active Voice

Hey there, fellow traveler on the writing road.

It’s me, Bolti. I’ve been spending a lot of time with your words lately, and I’ve noticed something. Something that, when tweaked, can make your writing leap off the page and grab your reader by the lapels (in the best possible way, of course).

We all have those moments, right? You’ve got a brilliant idea, a story that’s practically buzzing in your brain, a point you’re burning to make. You sit down, fingers poised over the keys, ready to unleash it upon the world. And then… the words come out a little… flat. A little distant. A little like they’re trying to apologize for existing.

It’s a subtle thing, this feeling. It’s the difference between a whisper and a shout, between a polite suggestion and a compelling call to action. And often, the culprit is hiding in plain sight, nestled within the structure of our sentences: the passive voice.

Now, before you groan and think, "Oh no, another grammar lecture!" hear me out. This isn’t about dusty rulebooks or arbitrary "don’ts." This is about power. It’s about impact. It’s about making your writing sing instead of sigh.

Think of it like this: when you’re crafting a piece of writing, you’re trying to create an experience for your reader. You want them to feel the thrill, understand the urgency, connect with the emotion. Passive voice is like putting a thick pane of glass between you and them. It creates distance. It dilutes the energy.

What Exactly Is Passive Voice?

At its heart, passive voice happens when the subject of the sentence is acted upon, rather than performing the action. The performer of the action is often moved to the end of the sentence (or sometimes omitted entirely).

Let’s look at an example, shall we? Imagine you’re describing a beautiful painting.

Passive: "The landscape was painted by the artist."

See how the focus is on the "landscape"? The action "painted" is happening to it. The poor artist, the one doing all the work, is sort of tacked on at the end.

Now, let’s flip it.

Active: "The artist painted the landscape."

Boom! Suddenly, we have a clear subject (the artist) performing a clear action (painted) on a clear object (the landscape). It’s direct, it’s energetic, it’s efficient.

Why Does Active Voice Pack a Bigger Punch?

1. Clarity: Active voice is almost always clearer. When you know who is doing what, there’s no room for ambiguity. Your reader doesn't have to pause and decipher the sentence's true meaning.

Passive: "Mistakes were made."
Active: "I made mistakes."
Active (even better): "My team made mistakes."
See how much more direct and accountable the active versions are? You know who to address.

2. Conciseness: Active voice tends to be shorter and punchier. It trims unnecessary words and gets straight to the point. Think about it – often, a passive sentence will require auxiliary verbs (like "was," "were," "is," "are") and a "by" phrase. Active sentences often don't need all that.

Passive: "The decision will be made by the committee tomorrow."
Active: "The committee will make the decision tomorrow."
Notice how the active version saves words and feels more decisive.

3. Energy and Engagement: Active voice puts the doer front and center. This creates a sense of immediacy and dynamism. It draws the reader in because they can clearly see the action unfolding.

Passive: "The ball was thrown by the pitcher."
Active: "The pitcher threw the ball."
Which sentence feels more like you're watching a game?

4. Directness and Authority: When you use active voice, you sound more confident and in control. This is especially crucial in business writing, marketing copy, or any situation where you want to convey authority and clarity.

Passive: "It is recommended that the report be submitted by Friday."
Active: "We recommend submitting the report by Friday."
Active (even stronger): "Submit the report by Friday."
The active versions are far more commanding.

When is Passive Voice Okay? (Yes, it has its moments!)

While active voice is generally your go-to, passive voice isn’t the villain it’s sometimes made out to be. There are absolutely times when it’s the right tool for the job:

* When the actor is unknown or unimportant:
* "My car was stolen last night."
(You don't know who stole it, so focusing on the car is appropriate.)
* "The Earth is orbited by the moon."
(The actor, the moon, is well-known, but the emphasis is on the Earth's status.)

* When you want to de-emphasize the actor: This can be useful for politeness or to avoid assigning blame, though be careful not to overuse it to sound evasive.
* "The package was delivered this morning."
(Focus is on the delivery, not necessarily who dropped it off.)
* "An error was made in the calculation."
(Softer than "You made an error.")

* To create sentence variety: Sometimes, starting a sentence with the object of the action can create a pleasing rhythm or flow, especially in narrative writing.

* In scientific or technical writing: Often, the process or the result is more important than the researcher.
* "The solution was heated to 100 degrees Celsius."

My Role in Helping You Find Your Active Voice

Now, I know what you might be thinking. "Bolti, this sounds great, but how do I actually do it? What if I slip up?" That’s precisely where I come in. Think of me as your friendly co-pilot on this writing journey.

When you’re in the zone, pouring your thoughts onto the page, it's easy for a passive sentence to sneak in. You’re focused on the idea, the story, the argument. You’re not necessarily doing a line-by-line grammatical audit as you type. And that's perfectly okay! In fact, it’s how the best drafts get started – messy and full of momentum.

But here’s the magic: while you’re busy being brilliant, I’m right there with you, keeping an eye on the details. If I notice a sentence that’s leaning heavily on passive voice, I won’t just flag it with a stark red underline (though I can do that too!). I’ll gently nudge you. I might say, "Hey, this sentence could be a bit more direct. Want to see if we can give it a little more oomph?" I can show you the passive construction and, crucially, suggest ways to rephrase it into active voice. It’s like having a thoughtful editor looking over your shoulder, offering suggestions without judgment.

I can highlight the subject, the verb, and the object, helping you see the structure clearly. Together, we can transform:

* "The report was finalized by the team members."
into
"The team members finalized the report."

Or perhaps:

* "A new strategy will be implemented by the marketing department next quarter."
into
"The marketing department will implement a new strategy next quarter."

It’s not about me correcting you; it’s about us collaborating. You provide the heart and the ideas, and I help polish the mechanics so those ideas shine through with all their intended power. I help you see the sentence from a different angle, empowering you to make the best choice for clarity and impact.

Making the Shift: A Practical Approach

So, how can you start cultivating a more active writing style?

1. Read Aloud: Your ears are often the best grammar detectors. Read your work aloud. Does it sound a little wordy? A little indirect? You’ll often hear the passive voice.
2. Hunt for "to be" verbs: Look for forms of "to be" (is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been). They aren't always passive, but they are often a signal that passive voice might be lurking. See if you can replace them with a stronger, active verb.
3. Ask "Who or What is Doing the Action?": For sentences that feel weak or indirect, ask yourself this question. If the answer isn't clear or isn't the subject of the sentence, you might be in passive territory.
4. Practice, Practice, Practice: The more you consciously think about active versus passive voice, the more natural it becomes. Try rewriting a paragraph you’ve already written, specifically looking for opportunities to strengthen it with active verbs.
5. Lean on Your Partner: And of course, that’s what I’m here for. As you write, or when you come back for edits, let’s go through it together. I can help you spot those passive constructions and offer alternatives, making the process less of a chore and more of an exploration. We can experiment with different phrasings until we find the one that sings.

Your voice is unique. Your stories are important. And the way you choose to tell them matters. By consciously choosing active voice more often, you're not just improving your grammar; you're amplifying your message, connecting more deeply with your readers, and ensuring your brilliant ideas land with the force they deserve.

Let's make those words work for you. Let's make them powerful. Let's write with conviction, together.

Ready when you are.

Your writing partner,
Bolti