Most business writing employs active sentences to improve readability. One way to immediately improve your writing is to use active rather than passive voice in most sentences. Active voice and passive voice contain the following grammatical patterns:
Active voice: Doer as Subject + Verb + Object
Passive voice: Object as Subject + Be Verb + Verb + Doer (Optional)
Using active voice in writing includes many benefits. The doer–action–object pattern allows for faster processing because most people's natural thinking occurs in this way. It also emphasizes the business orientation of action. Perhaps most important, it specifies the doer. Since business activities depend on accountability and coordination, knowing the identity of the doer of an action is usually important. In most cases, active voice also makes your sentences more concise.
Generally, active sentences are most effective in business writing. Passive sentences, however, are more effective when you want to avoid blaming or sounding bossy.
In this exercise, you will identify whether sentences are in active or passive form. You will also evaluate whether active or passive form is most appropriate for each sentence.
Instructions: Select the correct attributes for each sentence.
1. A finance contract is provided to you with the best possible rate.
(Click to select) Passive/Ineffective Active/Ineffective Passive/Effective Active/Effective
2. Our financing representatives determined you are not creditworthy at this time.
(Click to select) Active/Ineffective Passive/Ineffective Active/Effective Passive/Effective
3. A benefit of having your vehicle leased is you are given more flexibility to change vehicles often.
(Click to select) Active/Ineffective Passive/Effective Active/Effective Passive/Ineffective
4. We provide financing to fit your budget and lifestyle.
(Click to select) Active/Ineffective Passive/Effective Passive/Ineffective Active/Effective
5. Our financing representatives will work with you to get the best rate possible.
(Click to select) Passive/Effective Passive/Ineffective Active/Effective Active/Ineffective
6. Your loan application will be accepted when you have a credit score of 550 or better.
(Click to select) Active/Effective Passive/Ineffective Passive/Effective Active/Ineffective
7. Application forms that are completed carefully allow us to provide loan decisions within 15 minutes.
(Click to select) Active/Effective Passive/Effective Active/Ineffective Passive/Ineffective
8. You can manage scheduling of payments and other aspects of your financing through your online account.
(Click to select) Passive/Ineffective Active/Effective Passive/Effective Active/Ineffective
9. You are provided with the best possible rate when a 36-month lease is chosen.
(Click to select) Active/Effective Passive/Ineffective Passive/Effective Active/Ineffective
10. Avoid careless errors on the application form.
(Click to select) Active/Ineffective Active/Effective Passive/Effective Passive/Ineffective