Passive?
We don't need no stinking
passive!
Active Verbs that Describe “Work”
Another Way to Edit
PASSIVE VOICE!
Why Active Verbs?
Writers often make lazy choices. We use
generic all-purpose verbs such as been,
be, had, have, were, was, and is.
Especially in scientific journal articles,
these verbs make encore appearances
with more regularity than car commercials
in a football game. Yet these "passive"
words convey little. Even worse are the
catch all "deal with" and "show" choices. I
scream in frustration every time I read
another: "it has been thought by
Shakespeare that..."
Why not try something more exciting,
such as: "Shakespeare revealed"...
Active verbs convey meaning as you
describe work and ideas.
Consider the following verbs in your
revisions to replace what the
author/quote does and what the reader
does. I’m sure we can come up with even
more examples.
Instead of “the author shows” or “this
quote shows…” try:
Illustrates
Illuminates
Reveals
Employs
Means
Suggests
Clarifies
Indicates
Represents
Proves
Insists
Proposes
Implies
Defines
Conveys
Portrays
Postulates
Considers
Infers
States
Extrapolates
Defines
Invokes
Analyzes
Compares
Disagrees
Narrates
Evaluates
Simplifies
Measures
Notes
Predicts
Foreshadows
Introduces
Reports
Challenges
Delineates
Depicts
Construes
Interprets
Provides
Acknowledges
Distinguishes
Informs
Specifies
Determines
Details
Sums up
Designates
Points out
Sets forth
Deduces
Derives
Characterizes
Guides
Maintains
Believes
Speculates
Presents
Organizes
Investigates
Assesses
Determines
Calculates
Supports
Devises
Evaluates
Attributes
Argues
Reiterates
Investigates
Executes
Provides
How do I get rid of the Passive
Voice?
You can get rid of passive voice writing in
one night. Well. Okay. It may take a
little bit longer. But you can identify all
of your targets in a few seconds.
Step 1: Make your word processor show
revisions. You will have to search for this
choice in your word processes. For
example, in Microsoft Word, revisions... is
under "tools." You must select the show
revisions option.
Step 2: Use the "search and replace"
ability of your program, by
replace ^is^ with ^REPLACE ME^ (^ is my
way of telling you to put in a space before
and after the verb)
replace ^was^ with ^REPLACE ME^
replace ^were^ with ^REPLACE ME^
replace ^had^ with ^REPLACE ME^
replace ^have^ with ^REPLACE ME^
replace ^get^ with ^REPLACE ME^
replace ^got^ with ^REPLACE ME^
replace ^be^ with ^REPLACE ME^
replace ^been^ with ^REPLACE ME^
replace ^deal with^ with ^REPLACE ME^
replace ^show^ with ^REPLACE ME^
replace ^any other passive verb your
editor/teacher hates^ with ^REPLACE
ME^
Step 3: Rewrite each sentence with an
active verb. Passive sentences typically
place the true subject at the end. Thus,
you may need to turn the sentence
backwards to destroy passive voice.
Step 4: You can see all the changes at
once by clicking off the show revisions
option, or some programs allow you to
accept or reject the changes one-by-one.
Yet be careful! Each of these words
infers specific individual, analytical
meaning. When using this list, be sure
to choose the best verb for a situation.
For efficiency, accuracy, and your own
credibility, always aim for the best and
simplest verb. If you are unsure of
meaning, be sure to look it up.