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Casual Articles - Writing Tip: Active vs. Passive Verbs
Mention the word attorney in a crowd of people and you are likely to get a wide range of reactions. Let’s face it most of us associate attorneys with law suits, trouble with the law and court dates. All things that can cost us money! However, there are many situations in which an attorney can be proactive in preventing legal problems. There are times when everyone can be
Even if you don't see the differ
Is it possible to make easy money? I have seen truckloads of pure hype about this subject out there. Still, most people ask themselves these questions probably on a daily basis: Could there be an easier and reliable way to make more money? Could there be a way for me to quit my job and enjoy life as I deserve?Well, the answer is YES and NO. Many times the opportuniti
OR
The bartender was serving Jenny her apple martini just as a speeding Humvee shattered the front window and threw Jenny from her stool.
Which sentence jumps off the page? Notice that I didn't alter a single word, aside from changing each verb from passive to active voice.
If you haven't heard those terms before, here's a simple definition: Passive voice makes the subject into the (passive) object of the verb. Active voice means the subject is the (active) person or thing performing the action of the verb. In the second clause, the window isn't doing the shattering -- the Humvee is. The window is the object of the shattering. So shouldn't the Humvee be the subject? Ancient grammar swamis say yes.
But, you say, the sentences don't seem that different to me. Wrong. Try this: count the words. Okay, fine, I'll do it for you. The first example contains 28 words, the second 23. Multiply that difference (five, math whiz) by the number of sentences in a manuscript. My example was extreme, so let's be conservative and say you save one word every fifth sentence by going through your manuscript and changing as many verbs as you can from passive to active.
Take a manuscript of 300 pages, with an average of 300 words per page, and sentences of about 10 words... that's 9,000 sentences. Damn. No wonder finishing a manuscript is hard. Result: you've just cut 1,800 words, or six pages, from your manuscript.
Why would you want to cut six pages from your magnum opus? Maybe you don't. Maybe you want to fill those six pages -- or twelve, if you're one of those ambitious people who writes 600-page manuscripts -- with useful information about plot, character, or theme, instead of useless words such as was, were, by, and that annoying suffix -ing. But it's okay to simply cut. Honest. Quality is more important than quantity.
Even if you don't see the differe
Some people claim that it is almost impossible these days to make lots of money when you work at home. They say that there are all sorts of scams online, but no decent work at home job to actually make a bit of extra income, or even better, a full time income which will make you leave your daytime job for good.I sincerely hope that you know better..I do hope t
If you haven't heard those terms before, here's a simple definition: Passive voice makes the subject into the (passive) object of the verb. Active voice means the subject is the (active) person or thing performing the action of the verb. In the second clause, the window isn't doing the shattering -- the Humvee is. The window is the object of the shattering. So shouldn't the Humvee be the subject? Ancient grammar swamis say yes.
But, you say, the sentences don't seem that different to me. Wrong. Try this: count the words. Okay, fine, I'll do it for you. The first example contains 28 words, the second 23. Multiply that difference (five, math whiz) by the number of sentences in a manuscript. My example was extreme, so let's be conservative and say you save one word every fifth sentence by going through your manuscript and changing as many verbs as you can from passive to active.
Take a manuscript of 300 pages, with an average of 300 words per page, and sentences of about 10 words... that's 9,000 sentences. Damn. No wonder finishing a manuscript is hard. Result: you've just cut 1,800 words, or six pages, from your manuscript.
Why would you want to cut six pages from your magnum opus? Maybe you don't. Maybe you want to fill those six pages -- or twelve, if you're one of those ambitious people who writes 600-page manuscripts -- with useful information about plot, character, or theme, instead of useless words such as was, were, by, and that annoying suffix -ing. But it's okay to simply cut. Honest. Quality is more important than quantity.
Even if you don't see the differ
Forums on the Internet are online communities where people can discuss many different topics ranging from cooking to Christianity. This article will help you build your Internet business, using the power of Internet forums. Forums will increase traffic to your website, will help you interact with experts in your field, and will help you get a great education.Discussi
But, you say, the sentences don't seem that different to me. Wrong. Try this: count the words. Okay, fine, I'll do it for you. The first example contains 28 words, the second 23. Multiply that difference (five, math whiz) by the number of sentences in a manuscript. My example was extreme, so let's be conservative and say you save one word every fifth sentence by going through your manuscript and changing as many verbs as you can from passive to active.
Take a manuscript of 300 pages, with an average of 300 words per page, and sentences of about 10 words... that's 9,000 sentences. Damn. No wonder finishing a manuscript is hard. Result: you've just cut 1,800 words, or six pages, from your manuscript.
Why would you want to cut six pages from your magnum opus? Maybe you don't. Maybe you want to fill those six pages -- or twelve, if you're one of those ambitious people who writes 600-page manuscripts -- with useful information about plot, character, or theme, instead of useless words such as was, were, by, and that annoying suffix -ing. But it's okay to simply cut. Honest. Quality is more important than quantity.
Even if you don't see the differ
This is such an important topic and the majority of sellers don’t control their ebay fees. Are you completely aware about the costs involved when you are selling on eBay?Have a look at John:John has bought a nice antique vase on a garage sale for $55 US. What a bargain, since he knows that on eBay he could sell it for a big profit. He makes 3 beautiful photos
Take a manuscript of 300 pages, with an average of 300 words per page, and sentences of about 10 words... that's 9,000 sentences. Damn. No wonder finishing a manuscript is hard. Result: you've just cut 1,800 words, or six pages, from your manuscript.
Why would you want to cut six pages from your magnum opus? Maybe you don't. Maybe you want to fill those six pages -- or twelve, if you're one of those ambitious people who writes 600-page manuscripts -- with useful information about plot, character, or theme, instead of useless words such as was, were, by, and that annoying suffix -ing. But it's okay to simply cut. Honest. Quality is more important than quantity.
Even if you don't see the differ
The Hero's Journey is the template upon which the vast majority of successful stories and Hollywood blockbusters are based upon. In fact, ALL of the hundreds of Hollywood movies we have deconstructed (see URL below) are based on this 188 stage template.Understanding this template is a priority for story or screenwriters.There is only one story.
Even if you don't see the difference in my one example, use active verbs consistently and your writing will pop as it never did before. The reason is self-explanatory: it's more active, and useless words aren't bogging it down. Repeat after me: useless words are bad words.
The Exception That Proves the Rule
F. Scott Fitzgerald used the passive voice. I'm sure of it. But when he did, I'll bet he had a good reason. My example might be taken from a novel in which Jenny is the protagonist. Her true love, perhaps, is driving the Humvee. (The Humvee is not "being driven by" her true love.) So Jenny, not the bartender, should be the focus of the sentence. With this rule, as with all others that are meant to be (occasionally) broken, always be aware of why you're breaking it.
You've gotta know the rules before you can know how to break them. And no one knows all the rules. Not even me.
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