Clarity & Style

Active Voice

Make the doer the subject to increase clarity and energy.

Last updated

What & why

What it is
A grammatical construction where the subject performs the action of the verb, as in we made the decision rather than the decision was made. Active voice keeps the doer at the front of the sentence, which makes statements shorter, more direct, and more energetic, and it names who is responsible instead of letting accountability disappear into a passive phrase.
Why it works

Listeners tend to process information most easily in the standard Subject-Verb-Object order, and research on sentence comprehension suggests active constructions are often understood more quickly than passives, especially out of context. That advantage tends to shrink when context, plausibility, or familiarity make a passive easy to follow, so it is a general tendency rather than a guarantee. Active voice usually matches the order listeners expect, so it tends to read as clearer, more direct, and more energetic. It also names who performs the action, which can help listeners track agency and accountability instead of guessing who is responsible.

Before & after

Before

“Mistakes were made.”

After

“We made mistakes and we fixed them.”

When you’ll use it

Taking ownership of decisions and outcomes in business meetings

Writing clear action items and status updates

Creating compelling narratives and stories

Avoiding vague, bureaucratic language in presentations

Pro tip

Ask, who did what, then write it in that order.

Questions & answers

What is active voice in business communication?

Active voice occurs when the subject performs the action: 'The team completed the project.' It's more direct, engaging, and accountable than passive voice: 'The project was completed by the team.' Active voice creates clearer, more dynamic communication.

Why should I use active voice in business presentations?

Active voice is more engaging, creates accountability, uses fewer words, and sounds more confident and direct. It makes your communication clearer, more dynamic, and helps establish authority and credibility with your audience.

When might passive voice be appropriate in business communication?

Use passive voice when the action is more important than who performed it, when you want to avoid blame or responsibility, or when the actor is unknown or irrelevant. However, use it sparingly to maintain engagement and clarity.

Learn more

Purdue OWL - Active and Passive Voice
APA Style - Active and Passive Voice
University of Wisconsin-Madison Writing Center - Use the Active Voice

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