2. Verbs are vigorous, direct
communicators.
Use active rather
than passive voice.
3. The voice of a
verb tells
whether the
subject of the
sentence
performs the
action (active
voice) or is
acted upon
(passive voice).
4. The active voice always names the actor
(whoever performs the verb’s action),
whereas the passive voice puts the actor
in a phrase after the verb or even omits
the actor altogether.
5. Active voice is usually
more clear, emphatic, and
concise than passive voice.
The Internet is used
for research by
scholars, and its
expansion to the
general public was
criticized by some.
Scholars use the
Internet for
research, and some
criticized its
passive
active
6. Change the Passive to
the Active Voice
1. Around the turn of the century,
a story about a clever horse was
carried by Berlin newspapers.
2. The horse was named Babe by her
owner.
3. Fraud was suspected by many
people.
4. Doubts were still entertained by
Herman.
5. The math test was failed by
7. The mood of a verb indicates whether a
sentence is a --
Statement-The theater needs help.
Question-Can you help the theater?
A command- Help the theater!
A suggestion/desire-I wish I were an
actor.
8. The subjunctive mood expresses a
suggestion, requirement, or desire,
or it states a condition that is
contrary to fact (that is, imaginary
or hypothetical).
9. When using a
suggestion or
requirement with the
verbs ask, insist,
urge, require,
recommend, or
suggest use the
verb’s plain form
with all subjects.
EX: Rules require
that every donation
10. When writing about desire or
present condition contrary to
fact, use the verb’s past
tense form; for be use the
past tense form were. If the theater were
in better shape and
had more money its
future would be
guaranteed.
I wish I were able
to donate money.
11. Shifts in mood within a
sentence can be confusing.
Dissolve the crystals in
liquid. You should also heat
the solution. (The first
sentence is a command, the
second a statement.)
inconsistent
Dissolve the crystals in
liquid; then heat the
solution. (Consistent
commands.)
Revised
Mood Consistency
12. Verbs. You can’t have a sentence
without them. Make the most of
them, use them right, and they
will do wonders for your papers.
Trust me.
