Drafting

Writing paragraphs, explaining ideas, structuring points.

Verb Voice: Common Errors and Corrections

The most common verb voice error made by college students is using the passive voice when the active voice would be stronger. Remember that unless there is a good reason to use the passive voice (such as wanting to emphasize the recipient of the action), you should use the active voice.

Weak Passive Voice

You especially want to avoid weak passive voice. Weak passive voiced sentences sound tangled and convoluted.

Example:

	The campaign was vigorously made by the candidate.
	The candidate campaigned vigorously.

The second sentence is clearer, is more concise, and emphasizes the action of the subject, which is the candidate.

Inconsistent Voice

Another common error is inconsistent voice, which is when one part of the sentence is active, but another part is passive.

Example:

	The students studied hard for their math exam, but still it was found to be very difficult.
	The students studied hard for their math exam but still found it to be very difficult.

Changes in voice throughout a sentence that involve shifts in subject are usually unnecessary and confusing.

Source

Hacker, Diana. A Writer’s Reference. 6th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin’s, 2007.