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8
votes
0answers
404 views

When to use passive and active voice [closed]

When is it better to use passive voice in writing and speech? When is it better to use active voice in writing and speech?
4
votes
4answers
355 views

How can I use “fête” as a verb in active voice?

Oxford Dictionaries cites a verb as an entry for fête and gives a passive example. How can I use fête in the active voice? For example, can one fête an occasion with pomp and circumstance?
3
votes
4answers
641 views

How to change this to active voice?

The matter was reported to the commissioner. My teacher told me that it should be The commissioner reported the matter. But I think that this is not correct since it implies the ...
3
votes
3answers
355 views

Passive to active interrogatives

I am a high school student. While doing my weekly assignment, I came across a question which asks me to write in active voice Have they been told to be ready? Can anyone help me out with this ...
2
votes
3answers
170 views

Can the passive “to be amazed” be active?

I'm trying to find a way to write a sentence with active language where a character is amazed by something without making the something the subject of the sentence. For example: "Adam opened the ...
2
votes
1answer
817 views

Using active voice without personal pronouns

When writing scientific research proposals I have been advised to try and stick to active voice because passive tends to sound indirect and to imply doubt. However, when writing in active voice, I ...
1
vote
1answer
255 views

“Has been changed” or “has changed”?

Debate with a fellow writer: should I say "My email ID has been changed" or "My email ID has changed"?
1
vote
1answer
165 views

Choice of an agent to give an active voice - me or the computer program

Background I am writing a scientific article that describes a computer program. Although it is common in the field to use a passive voice, it is also acceptable, and my preference, to diversify the ...
1
vote
1answer
79 views

“Issue #16 is being downloaded” vs “Downloading issue #16” [closed]

When downloading something on an application, I preferred the present continuous active voice form of the message, say something like "Downloading issue #16" However I have been asked to change it ...
0
votes
3answers
308 views

Omission of agent in active voice

I love writing but grammar is seriously not my cup of tea so please forgive my ignorance. The case in point is: Henry’s eyes were gouged out by George. Is it possible to write this in active ...
0
votes
1answer
151 views

Active usage of “taken aback”

The expression to be taken aback is very common; a typical example sentence (that I just made up) would be I was taken aback by the way she laughed. However, I sometimes find myself wanting to ...
0
votes
1answer
147 views

Active or passive verbs

What is the difference between the following sentences: This product is sold very well. This product sells very well. If the meaning is the same, what pragmatic difference is there?
0
votes
2answers
147 views

Verb types or mode of expression to convey lack of causality

In Biblical Hebrew there are two simple verb types (Qal grammatically active and Niphal passive) which covey no causation. They may be reflexive, permissive or tolerative or some combination. Would ...
-1
votes
1answer
54 views

“The data misses a desired object” vs. “a desired object is being missed in the data” [closed]

Do the following two sentences have the same meaning? If the data misses a desired object, then information relevant to that object do not exist in the database. If a desired object is being ...
-1
votes
2answers
124 views

Human verbs for things - bad style? [closed]

In writing on an academic topic concerned with IT systems and business stuff, my aim is to write with active formulations which liven the text. But I'm noticing that I tend to use human verbs for ...
-2
votes
2answers
59 views

The use of refer to: Active or Passive? [closed]

Are the uses of the phrase 'refer to' as follows correct? The methodology in this research referred to UNESCO. The methodology in this research was referred to UNESCO. I believe what the writer ...