Using the Active Voice for Stronger Writing

One of the most frequently-heard pieces of advice for writers is to use the active voice instead of the passive voice. What does this mean? In this article we show you how to identify the passive voice, how to change it to the active voice, and when you should leave things in the passive voice.

Quick Tip 1

Getaway and Get Away

"Getaway" is a noun. When you escape, you make your getaway. A location can also be a getaway.

"Get away" is a verb and a modifier. To get away from something or someone is to move away or to escape.

Example: If the robbers get away from the police, they will make their getaway.

Example: Get away from the dog! He bites!

Example: We hope to get away to the cabin this summer. It is our summer getaway.


Quick Tip 2

Who's and Whose

"Who's" means "who is." The apostrophe is there because it is a contraction. The apostrophe does not indicate possession.

Example: Who is there? Who's there?

"Whose" means "belonging to whom." It indicates possession without using an apostrophe.

Example: Whose suitcase is this?

Don't let the apostrophe confuse you. You cannot use "who's" to ask who something belongs to.

Common error: Who's suitcase is this? - Incorrect!