Clear Writing
Active voice
Name who does what: 'we fixed the bug', not 'the bug was fixed'.
See it
Don't
- Passive voice hides who did what
- No timeframe for the reader
Do
We made a billing mistake. Our finance team will refund you by Friday.
Why it matters
Active voice names who acts, which is clearer and more honest. Add the detail the reader cares about, like when.
How to apply it
- Find 'was/were + verb-ed' and rewrite
- Put the actor first
- Keep passive only when the actor truly doesn't matter
Common mistakes
- Hiding responsibility in passive voice
- Stacked passive clauses
Quick answers
What is Active voice?
Name who does what: 'we fixed the bug', not 'the bug was fixed'. Active voice names who acts, which is clearer and more honest. Add the detail the reader cares about, like when.
How do I apply Active voice in content writing?
Find 'was/were + verb-ed' and rewrite. Put the actor first. Keep passive only when the actor truly doesn't matter.
What are common mistakes with Active voice?
Hiding responsibility in passive voice. Stacked passive clauses.