give warning to the world of the disaster that would
follow.Making use of the active and passive voice
Theactive voiceis more positive than thepassive voice.In
theactive voicea subject does something. In thepassive
voicesomething is done to him.
Active voice
The father struck his son.
The teacher gave the class a detention.Passive voice
The son was struck by his father.
The class was given a detention by the teacher.In the second version there are two extra words; the first
sentences have more vigour.
Negatives
Using positive statements instead of negative ones also
economises on words.
For example:
He did not remember his wife’s birthday.
Clare was not present in the afternoon.would be better as the following:
IMPROVING YOUR STYLE / 91