Active Voice Revision Exercise A Decision By Scientists

A decision was reached by scientists about when the experiment would begin.

• A. Before the experiment by scientists, a decision was reached.
• B. Scientists reached a decision about when the experiment would begin.

Understanding Active and Passive Voice

To effectively answer this question, it's crucial to understand the difference between active and passive voice in sentence construction. Active voice emphasizes the subject performing the action, creating a direct and clear statement. In contrast, passive voice emphasizes the action itself or the object receiving the action, often obscuring the actor. Recognizing these differences is the first step in mastering sentence construction and improving your writing.

Active voice structures sentences in a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order. The subject performs the action, which directly affects the object. This structure makes sentences more direct, concise, and easier to understand. For example, in the sentence "The dog chased the ball," the dog (subject) performs the action of chasing (verb) the ball (object). This clarity makes active voice preferable in most writing situations, particularly when the actor is important to the message.

Passive voice, on the other hand, rearranges the sentence structure to emphasize the action or the object being acted upon. The structure often involves a form of the verb "to be" and a past participle of the main verb. For instance, "The ball was chased by the dog" is the passive version of the previous example. Here, the ball is the focus, and the actor (the dog) is either placed at the end of the sentence in a prepositional phrase or omitted entirely. While passive voice has its uses, such as when the actor is unknown or unimportant, overuse can lead to wordy, unclear writing.

Identifying active and passive voice involves looking for key indicators within the sentence. In active voice, the subject typically precedes the verb and directly performs the action. Action verbs are prominent, and the sentence has a straightforward flow. In contrast, passive voice often includes a form of "to be" (is, are, was, were, been, being) followed by a past participle. The actor, if present, is often introduced by the preposition "by." Recognizing these patterns allows you to analyze sentences effectively and determine whether they are in active or passive voice.

The choice between active and passive voice can significantly impact the tone and clarity of your writing. Active voice tends to make writing more engaging and direct, conveying information in a straightforward manner. It is generally preferred in situations where you want to emphasize the subject's role and responsibility. For example, "The committee made the decision" is more direct and impactful than "The decision was made by the committee." Passive voice, while less direct, can be useful when you want to de-emphasize the actor or focus on the action itself. It is often used in scientific writing or formal reports where objectivity is crucial. However, it is important to use passive voice judiciously to avoid making your writing seem vague or convoluted.

In the given sentence, "A decision was reached by scientists about when the experiment would begin," the passive voice is evident. The focus is on the decision, and the scientists are mentioned in a prepositional phrase at the end. The verb phrase "was reached" indicates the passive construction, as it includes a form of "to be" and a past participle. This structure obscures the direct action of the scientists, making the sentence less impactful than its active counterpart.

Analyzing Option A

Option A, "Before the experiment by scientists, a decision was reached," does not correct the passive voice issue. This revision begins with a prepositional phrase, shifting the focus further away from the scientists. The core of the sentence, "a decision was reached," remains in the passive voice, utilizing the "was reached" construction. This choice fails to emphasize the scientists' action and maintains the indirectness of the original sentence. Therefore, Option A does not provide the necessary change to active voice.

This option introduces a temporal element by starting with "Before the experiment by scientists." While this phrase adds context, it doesn't address the fundamental issue of voice. The phrase itself is somewhat awkward and could be phrased more clearly. For instance, "Prior to the experiment by scientists" or "Before the scientists began the experiment" would be more straightforward. However, the primary problem remains the continued use of passive voice in the main clause.

The phrase "a decision was reached" is the key indicator of passive voice in this sentence. The verb "was" combined with the past participle "reached" signals that the subject (a decision) is receiving the action rather than performing it. To convert this to active voice, we need to identify the actor and make them the subject of the sentence. In this case, the scientists are the ones who reached the decision, but their role is obscured by the passive construction.

Furthermore, the placement of the prepositional phrase "by scientists" after "Before the experiment" makes the sentence slightly convoluted. It disrupts the natural flow of information and adds to the overall sense of indirectness. A more effective revision would not only change the voice but also streamline the sentence structure to enhance clarity.

In essence, Option A fails to transform the sentence into active voice. It retains the passive construction and introduces an awkward phrase, making it an unsuitable choice for the revision. To correct the passive voice, the sentence needs to be restructured so that the scientists are the subject and the action they performed is the active verb.

Identifying the Active Voice in Option B

Option B, "Scientists reached a decision about when the experiment would begin," effectively revises the sentence to the active voice. This option places the scientists as the subject of the sentence, performing the action of reaching a decision. The verb "reached" is an active verb, directly connecting the subject to the action. This structure creates a clear and concise statement, emphasizing the role of the scientists in making the decision. Option B successfully converts the original passive sentence into an active one, improving clarity and impact.

The key to identifying the active voice in Option B lies in the straightforward Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) structure. "Scientists" is the subject, "reached" is the active verb, and "a decision" is the object. This arrangement clearly indicates that the scientists are the ones performing the action. The sentence now conveys a sense of agency and responsibility, attributing the decision-making process directly to the scientists.

This revision also eliminates the wordiness that often accompanies passive voice constructions. The original sentence, while grammatically correct, is somewhat roundabout. By using active voice, Option B streamlines the language and makes the sentence more direct and engaging. This is a crucial aspect of effective communication, particularly in scientific writing where clarity and precision are paramount.

The phrase "about when the experiment would begin" remains unchanged in Option B, as it provides necessary context for the decision. This clause specifies the subject matter of the decision, ensuring that the sentence remains informative and complete. The focus is now on the scientists' proactive role in making a decision related to the experiment's timing.

In contrast to Option A, Option B provides a clear, concise, and active version of the original sentence. It effectively highlights the scientists' role in reaching a decision and avoids the indirectness of passive voice. This revision not only corrects the grammatical issue but also improves the overall quality of the sentence, making it a preferable choice for conveying the intended meaning.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the correct revision that changes the sentence to active voice is Option B: "Scientists reached a decision about when the experiment would begin." This option effectively places the scientists as the subject performing the action, resulting in a clearer and more impactful sentence.

Correct Answer: B. Scientists reached a decision about when the experiment would begin.