The document discusses the passive and active voices. It notes that the passive voice emphasizes the action being performed rather than the person doing it, and has two main uses: to present ideas objectively and to avoid assigning blame. Passive voice constructions begin with the thing rather than the person, use a two-word verb like "is" or "was" followed by a past tense verb, and sometimes end with "by" to identify the doer. The active voice is preferred for most business writing as it is shorter, more personal, and forceful. Instructions are then given to identify sentences as active or passive voice and determine if they should be changed.

2.  The passive voice emphasizes the action
being performed rather than the person
doing the action
 The passive voice has two main uses:
◦ To present ideas objectively
 (Showing that the results are more important than
the person doing the work)
 “The surveys were tabulated.”
◦ To avoid using names or assigning blame
 “An unfortunate error has occurred.”

3.  They begin with a thing rather than a
person
 They use a two-word verb
◦ “is” or “was” followed by a past-tense verb
 They sometimes end with a phrase
starting with “by” that identifies the doer
of the action
◦ All expenses were approved by the CEO.
Starts with
a thing
Two-word
verb
Can be
left out

4.  The active voice is preferred for most type
of business writing because it is shorter,
more personal, and more forceful
 In active voice sentences, the subject of
the verb performs the action
◦ I heated the solution
◦ You made a mistake

5.  Instructions:
◦ Decide whether each of the following sentences
uses the active or passive voice
◦ Then decide whether it should be changed from
one to the other. Be prepared to justify your
answer
◦ When necessary, write down the revised version
◦ The first one is done for you

6.  The new procedure is thought to be
superior by the president.
Active Voice  Passive Voice
 It should be written in the active voice
◦ The president thinks the new procedure is
superior

7. 1. I left the window open last night and killed all
the plants.
2. Verification of passwords must be done on a
daily basis by security personnel.
3. The observer saw the needle on the gauge
jump into the red zone at the same time the
circuit overloaded.
4. I cannot approve your loan until you have
provided us with collateral.
5. We made a major error by spelling our client’s
name wrong in the report.
6. The editing of the financial reports was done
over the weekend by the accountant.

8. 7. You failed to submit the application before the
due date
8. We should not have ordered a separate phone
line for each person in the office.
9. It was suggested by the project manager that
construction schedules be revised to take
advantage of the unusually warm weather.
10. We must delay filling your order because of
problems with our supplier.
11. You must send an additional payment of $12
so that we can process your order.
12. The software was installed incorrectly on your
computer.