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Topic : Re: Techniques to get rid of "was" and make one's writing more engaging These are my techniques: Changing the order of the sentence: I was happy because of what she did. What she did made me - selfpublishingguru.com

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What most people mean when they're talking about passive voice is really lazy, static verbs. Passive voice can be a useful tool, but lazy verbs put your text to sleep.

That said, I'm hardly an expert, but here's my opinion about your techniques:

Changing the order of the sentence: Looks good

Using "in" and "on": Looks good

Inverting the order of the sentence: Looks good

Applying repetition: I don't think so. I think the other sentences are far worse than the passive voice.

Replacing "was" with a more "interesting" verb: This is the one I had in mind when talking about lazy verbs. You have replaced the link verb, but the verb is still pretty lazy. Possibilities:

The old Victorian haunted the corner

The thick stone walls of the Bastille like dwelling guarded the corner

Replacing "there wasn't/it wasn't" with "not": Interesting. Your changes here twist the entire mood of the sentence. Will think about this one.

Removing "it/he/she was": The problem is that you're using a whole sentence as an adjective. Possibilities:

We reached the cozy lodging house. I liked it.

We reached the cozy inn. I immediately felt at home.

Anyway, you asked, so my $.02 worth.


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