How do you test your copy for active voice and passive voice?

2 What is passive voice?

Passive voice is when the subject of the sentence receives the action. For example, "A catchy headline was written by her" is a passive sentence. The subject (a catchy headline) is not doing the action (was written), but rather being acted upon by someone or something else (by her). Passive voice is often used in academic, scientific, or legal writing because it is more formal, objective, and distant. It can also be used to avoid blaming or accusing someone or to emphasize the result rather than the agent.

3 How to choose the right voice for your copy?

When choosing between active and passive voice in your copy, there is no definitive rule; it depends on your purpose, audience, and message. Generally speaking, active voice should be used when you want to be clear, concise, and persuasive. It can help you emphasize the benefits of your product or service, create a call to action, or demonstrate your authority and credibility. On the other hand, passive voice should be used when you want to be polite, diplomatic, or neutral. It can help you soften a negative message, avoid responsibility or blame, and focus on the outcome rather than the process.

4 How to test your copy for active and passive voice?

Testing your copy for active and passive voice can be done with the help of tools like Hemingway Editor or Grammarly, which can identify passive sentences and suggest ways to make them more active. Additionally, you can look for clues such as forms of "to be" followed by a past participle, or sentences with a "by" phrase that indicates who or what did the action. If the sentence has the subject at the beginning and the verb at the end, it is usually active.