Monday, November 25, 2013

Active voice is tough

Understanding something and actually doing it is a lot harder than one thinks. I know what active voice is. I have spent hours surfing the internet looking for great examples of what it should read and look like. Now, actually going back to my manuscript and re-writing everything in the active voice is not that easy. I know what I should do, but knowing how to do it is where it gets hard.

Examples of active voice:

  •  I walked down the street. 
  •  My dog ran away. 
  •  I jumped rope today.

I know what I should do, but I don’t have a great understanding about what active voice really is and when I am using it. In certain instances, passive voice still sneaks in. I am not ashamed to admit it, but I am very slow on the uptake. I mean come on, correcting a bad habit is hell, but it doesn’t mean I won’t get it eventually. I just have to give myself the time to understand it properly. I have to accept and get over the fact that it might take me a while to learn all that I need to and I won’t be learning all of it in just a few days. What is my rush anyway?

7 comments:

  1. The best thing about writing is you're always learning something new! You'll get it, I have faith in you :-)

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  2. Step by step... little by little... you WILL get there!

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  3. Annalisa & Michelle - Thank you. You guys are really kind and awesome.

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  4. When in doubt, employ the zombie test. If you can insert the words "by zombies" after the predicate, and it makes sense, you have a passive voice sentence. "He was asked to carry the tray." Asked is the predicate. "He was asked – by zombies – to carry the tray. Passive voice.

    "Dave asked him to carry the tray." Dave asked by zombies ... No, doesn't make sense Actrive voice. Carry on.

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  5. John - Thank you! This is just brilliant! I am definitely using your trick/tip from now on. Thanks again.

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  6. Can't claim credit. Just something I picked up somewhere. It's certainly memorable.

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  7. John - I am still very grateful that you shared the tip. You still rock!

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