Passive Voice Checker
Check your text for passive voice constructions. Passive voice makes writing less direct and harder to read. Our tool highlights passive sentences so you can convert them to active voice.
Active vs Passive Voice
| Passive Voice | Active Voice |
|---|---|
| The report was written by Sarah. | Sarah wrote the report. |
| The ball was kicked by the player. | The player kicked the ball. |
| Mistakes were made. | We made mistakes. |
| The project is being reviewed. | The team is reviewing the project. |
Active voice is generally clearer, more direct, and more engaging. However, passive voice is appropriate when the doer is unknown or less important than the action.
When Passive Voice Is Acceptable
- Scientific writing: "The experiment was conducted" (focus on the experiment, not the researcher)
- Unknown agent: "The window was broken" (we don't know who did it)
- Diplomatic tone: "Errors were identified" (avoiding blame)
- Process descriptions: "The steel is heated to 500°C" (the process matters, not who does it)
Aim for fewer than 15% passive sentences in general writing and fewer than 25% in academic writing.
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Open Word CounterFrequently Asked Questions
What percentage of passive voice is acceptable?
Aim for less than 15% passive voice in general writing. Academic and scientific writing may use up to 25%. Above 25% typically indicates unclear, indirect writing.
Is passive voice always bad?
No. Passive voice is appropriate in scientific writing, when the doer is unknown, or when you want to emphasise the action over the actor. The key is using it intentionally, not habitually.
How does the tool detect passive voice?
The checker identifies common passive voice patterns: a form of 'to be' (is, was, were, been, being) followed by a past participle (verb ending in -ed, -en, or irregular past participles).