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Clear English

Active Verbs:

Get active about passives

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Unit learning objectives

By successfully completing this unit, the target learners will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding to:

1. Describe what active verbs are.2. Apply active verbs when producing and editing documents.3. Assess when its appropriate to use active verbs and when to use passive verbs.

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What are active verbs?• Active verbs are described in this video (Rockhill 2009):

• Click here to read more about active verbs

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Get active about passives

• Use ‘I’ / ‘We’ / ‘You’ instead of ‘Mosscare’ / Passive sentences.

• Keep the action active.

Example• ‘I wrote the letter’, rather than

‘The letter was written’.

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Get active about passives

• Remember that communication is only ever between 2 people. Always write as though you are talking to one person. This relaxes the tone and makes it more personal.

• There are a few exceptions to this rule, but try it!

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Get active about passives

• Try to put the active agent early in the sentence.

Example:

• ‘You need to know’ rather than ‘Residents should be aware’.

• ‘We have rejected your application’ rather than ‘The application was rejected’.

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A few examplesExample of an active verb

• The agent or doer comes in front of the verb.

“ The HR officer wrote the safety rules” (The agent) (verb)

Example of a passive verb

• The agent, if there is one, comes behind the verb and is introduced by the word ‘by’

“The safety rules were written by the HR officer ” (verb) (The agent)

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Exceptions to the rule

There are times when its better to use passive verbs

For example, when the agent has already been stated, is obvious, is unimportant or is unknown.

Or, when you want to shift attention onto the person or thing who is acted upon, as in these headlines.

• Star’s damages are cut in half.

• Speedy settlement is urged by judges.

• Minister is bitten by squirrel.

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Exceptions to the rule

When you want to spread responsibility or avoid blaming someone.

• A mistake was made in assessing your benefit. (Passive)• We made a mistake in assessing your benefit. (Active)

When an active verb may sound too hostile.

• We will cancel the policy unless you pay the premium. (Active)• The Policy will be cancelled unless the premium is paid.

(Passive)

Sometimes you can have a mix of active and passive verbs.

• The policy will be cancelled unless you pay the premium.

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More resources

The list below is a few of the resources related to active verbs.

• Click on the icon for a list of action verbs

• Click on the icon for a verb tense tutorial

• Click on the icon for a funny take on verbs

• Click on the icon for a teachers take on active verbs

• Click on the icon for Ask Oxford’s guidelines on active verbs

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Test your skills

• Click here to fly to an online assessment

• Click on the icon to beam up to the active verb assessment

• Click on the icon to zoom to an irregular verbs test