Style Guide of Common Errors in English Grammar for Writers

active, passive

Active voice is preferable.
passive: New fall products were introduced by Fisher-Price.
active: Fisher-price introduced its new fall products.

Often, the easiest way to figure out how to turn a lame-o passive sentence into a super fantastic active sentence is to ask yourself, "by whom?" Take the following sentence:

passive: Bumblebee was ordered to spy on the new Decepticon base.

Look at the passive part: "was ordered." Ask yourself, "by whom?" Bumblebee was ordered by whom? Oh, Optimus Prime gave the order. Now we can turn the sentence into:

active: Optimus Prime ordered Bumblebee to spy on the new Decepticon base.

Let's wish Bumblebee luck with his mission. Those Decepticons can be downright nasty.

Discuss in the forum.
Click for the full grammar/usage guide.