Why Enterprises Need Passive to Active Voice Converters in Content Writing

Two yellow signs reading passive and active representing passive and active voice in writing.

Taking the lead with active voice

Passive voice is like a game of hide and seek where the main player is always hiding. You know something’s happening, but you can’t quite figure out who’s doing it. It makes your sentences feel distant and disconnected — like you’re trying to have a conversation with someone who’s talking in riddles. “Mistakes were made,” the passive voice might say. But who made them? Crickets.

Active voice, however, is your direct, no-nonsense friend who gets straight to the point. It’s the type of writing where the subject does the action, and everything feels fresh, sharp, and engaging. When you use active voice, you know exactly who’s in control of the sentence, and the meaning is crystal clear. So, if you’re tired of passive voice lurking in your writing like a vague ghost, it’s time to kick it out and let active voice take the lead!

Enterprises that produce a lot of content often struggle with the prevalence of passive voice. This dilutes clarity and reduces the impact of their messaging. A passive to active voice converter is a vital tool for addressing this issue. It helps enterprises streamline their communication and create content that resonates with audiences.

The impact of passive voice on enterprise content

Passive voice occurs when the subject of a sentence receives the action rather than performing it. For example, “The report was written by the team” is a passive construction, whereas “The team wrote the report” is in active voice. While passive voice isn’tt inherently wrong, excessive use makes writing seem vague, wordy, or indirect.

For enterprises, unclear or overly complex content creates barriers in delivering clear messages. Whether communicating with customers, stakeholders, or internal teams, the use of passive voice can:

  • Reduce readability and engagement
  • Obscure accountability in legal documents
  • Lead to product misuse in technical instructions, with potentially fatal consequences
  • Decrease trust and clarity in marketing materials

Switching to active voice makes content more dynamic, clear, and actionable, fostering stronger connections with readers. And more, it’s an effective way to prevent misunderstandings and their negative consequences. 

What’s a passive to active voice converter?

A passive to active voice converter is a tool designed to help writers identify and rewrite passive constructions into active voice. These tools use Natural Language Processing (NLP) algorithms to detect passive sentences and suggest alternative active voice phrasing.

Key features of such tools often include:

  • Automatic detection of passive constructions
  • Suggestions for rewriting in active voice
  • Integration with popular writing platforms
  • Advanced grammar and style recommendations

Why enterprises should use active voice

Switching from passive to active voice improves content in several critical ways:

1. Achieve clarity and directness

Active voice cuts through the noise and delivers messages with precision. By placing the subject at the forefront of the action, sentences become easier to process and interpret. For example:

  • Passive: “The report was submitted late by the department.”
  • Active: “The department submitted the report late.”

The active version doesn’t just clarify the “what” but also emphasizes the “who,” eliminating any guesswork. This is vital for enterprise communications, where unclear messages lead to costly misunderstandings or delays.

2. Improve reader engagement

Content written in active voice has an energy and flow that holds a reader’s attention. This dynamic quality is especially critical for external-facing materials like blogs, social media posts, and marketing copy, where the goal is to captivate and retain the audience. Consider these examples:

  • Passive: “Product updates were announced during the webinar.”
  • Active: “Our team announced product updates during the webinar.”

The active version not only engages more but also feels personal and authentic, fostering a stronger connection between the brand and its audience.

3. Strengthen accountability

In industries like finance, healthcare, or technology, transparency is non-negotiable, especially in compliance reports, legal documentation, or customer-facing policies. Active voice makes it clear who is responsible for specific actions, leaving no room for doubt. For example:

  • Passive: “Mistakes were made in processing the payment.”
  • Active: “The accounts team made mistakes in processing the payment.”

By assigning responsibility, active voice bolsters accountability and builds trust, which is essential for maintaining not only legal accountability, but also professional credibility.

4. Boosts SEO performance

Search engines, like Google, prioritize content that is well-structured, readable, and provides value to users. Active voice contributes significantly to readability by organizing information in a logical, straightforward manner. 

Content written in active voice often earns higher readability scores from tools like Yoast and Acrolinx, which are critical factors in SEO optimization. Also, active voice encourages concise, keyword-friendly sentences that search engines understand and rank better.

How Acrolinx helps enterprises convert passive voice to active voice

Acrolinx is the ultimate solution for enterprises seeking to refine their content and write in active voice. Unlike free tools that offer basic functionality, Acrolinx goes far beyond passive to active voice converting. It provides a comprehensive content governance solution that aligns content with your bespoke brand standards and audience expectations.

Intelligent detection and suggestions

Acrolinx detects passive constructions in complex documents and recommends precise rewrites. It doesn’t just convert passive to active voice; it makes sure the tone, style, and structure of the content are tailored to your intended target audience.

Customizable guidance

Acrolinx captures and digitizes your enterprise-specific style guides. Whether you need to follow industry regulations or maintain a specific brand voice, Acrolinx provides tailored suggestions to meet your requirements.

Seamless integration

Acrolinx integrates effortlessly with tools your team already uses, including content management systems, document editors, and terminology databases. This makes it easy for writers to access passive-to-active voice recommendations within their existing workflows.

Real-life applications: Using passive to active voice converters in enterprise content

Enterprises across industries are using passive to active voice converters to improve their content. Some examples include:

Marketing campaigns

Marketing teams use active voice to craft engaging copy that drives conversions. By using a passive to active voice converter, teams keep their messaging clear, dynamic, and aligned with audience expectations.

Technical documentation

Active voice makes technical instructions and reports easier to follow. For example, rewriting “The machine must be operated by trained personnel” as “Trained personnel must operate the machine” emphasizes clarity and responsibility.

Compliance reports

In regulated industries, precise language is critical. Converting passive to active voice in compliance reports supports transparency and reduces ambiguity, making it easier to demonstrate accountability.

Tips for shifting from passive to active voice

  1. Identify passive constructions: Look for “to be” verbs followed by past participles (for example, “was written,” “is done”).
  2. Reorder the sentence: Place the subject before the verb and make it the doer of the action.
  3. Simplify where possible: Shorter, more direct sentences often work best in an active voice.
  4. Use a tool like Acrolinx: Automate the process of detection and conversion to save time and improve accuracy.

Acrolinx: The best passive to active voice converter for enterprises

When it comes to improving content quality at scale, Acrolinx stands out as the top choice for enterprises. Its ability to align content with business goals, provide immediate suggestions to improve writing, and integrate seamlessly into existing workflows makes it the ultimate tool for converting passive voice to active voice.By choosing Acrolinx, enterprises elevate the clarity, engagement, and impact of their content, making sure they deliver messages that resonate with their audiences. With its AI-powered capabilities and commitment to excellence, Acrolinx is the perfect partner for creating reader-friendly content in the active voice.

Want more grammar tips to polish your business writing? Check out our Grammar Guide For Busy People.

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Kiana's portriat.

Kiana Minkie

She comes to her content career from a science background and a love of storytelling. Committed to the power of intentional communication to create social change, Kiana has published a plethora of B2B content on the importance of inclusive language in the workplace. Kiana, along with the Acrolinx Marketing Team, won a Silver Stevie Award at the 18th Annual International Business Awards® for Marketing Department of the Year. She also started the Acrolinx Diversity and Inclusion committee, and is a driving force behind employee-driven inclusion efforts.