Should you always use the active voice? Not necessarily. Sometimes, the passive voice is better.The sentences below are written in the passive voice. Decide whether they should remain that way or be rewritten in the active voice as suggested.1. The game was won by the Senators with a two-point lead.The Senators won the game with a two-point lead.Passive voice is better here.2. I only bought the car because I was given bad advice.I only bought the car because my uncle gave me bad advice.Passive voice is better here.3. The birthday was celebrated by the family at a fine Italian restaurant.The family celebrated the birthday at a fine Italian restaurant.Passive voice is better here.4. The lights were dimmed just in time for the surprise.Someone dimmed the lights just in time for the surprise.Passive voice is better here.5. Thomas King’s Medicine River was published in 1989.Viking Canada published Thomas King’s Medicine River in 1989.Passive voice is better here.6. Your greens must be eaten.You must eat your greens.Passive voice is better here.7. Carbon dioxide—the topic of my lecture—is produced by all living organisms.All living organisms produce carbon dioxide, the topic of my lecture.Passive voice is better here.8. A four-course meal was showcased on the table d’hôte menu.The table d’hôte menu showcased a four-course meal.Passive voice is better here.
