190 English Grammar Demystifi ed
As you read earlier, you may have a reason to use nonactive or passive verbs on
occasion. If, however, you write ten sentences, all with passive verbs, you can prob-
ably change seven or eight to active verbs. Why should you take the time to do that?
The answer is clear: Passive verbs contribute to the fog in anyone’s writing. They
also contribute to the following:
Passive verbs add unnecessary words to sentences.Passive verbs make sentences harder to understand.Passive verbs hide subjects.We can prove all of these assertions.- Read the following sentence. Change the passive verb to an active verb, and
remove two words.
In the next chapter, the family dynamics are explained. - In the next sentence, fi nd the hidden subject and change the passive verb to
an active verb.
It has been determined that we will bid on that job. - In the last sentence, fi nd the buried subject and select an active verb.
It was argued strongly that making cars more effi cient was the
committee’s fi rst concern.
Did you change the sentences in the following ways? Answers may vary.
- The next chapter explains the family dynamics.
- We have decided to bid on that job.
- As a fi rst concern, the committee argued strongly for more effi cient cars.