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If you are writing a manual for example, you will probably not be able to do without passive voice. Incorrect detection of passive voice. Human languages are often very irregular. That's why it's not always possible to achieve complete accuracy when automatically analyzing texts. In some exceptional cases, the passive voice analysis might fail. Reviewing examples of active and passive voice will make it easier to understand the difference. Active voice describes a sentence where the subject performs the action stated by the verb. In passive sentences, the subject is acted upon by the verb.
- 1 Use Microsoft Word to Find Passive Verb Forms
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- 4 Spell Check Doesn't Work With Uppercase Words in Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word 2010 can help punch up your document's prose by alerting you when you use passive voice in a sentence. If you write 'the goal was achieved' instead of the more active 'we achieved the goal,' Word underlines the offending construction, and even offers tips on using active voice during spelling and grammar checks. Word also can show you the percentage of passive sentences in your document after each spell check. To use these features, enable them in your proofing options.
2.Select the 'Proofing' tab, and then scroll down to the 'When Correcting Spelling and Grammar in Word' section.
3.Change the Writing Style setting to 'Grammar & Style.' Changing this setting directs Word to include style issues such as passive sentences during grammar checks.
4.Click the 'Settings' button and check the box next to Passive Sentences. Click 'OK' to return to the Word Options window.
5.Check the box next to 'Mark Grammar Errors As You Type.' Enabling this setting directs Word to underline passive constructions and other grammar and style issues while you write.
6.Check the box next to 'Check Grammar With Spelling' to include grammar and style issues in your spell checks.
7.Check the box next to 'Show Readability Statistics' to cause Word to report the percentage of passive sentences in your document after each spell check.
8.Click 'OK' to return to your document. Select the 'Review' tab and click 'Spelling & Grammar' to check the entire document and see your passive sentence percentage.
Warning
- Information in this article applies to both Microsoft Word 2010 and Word 2013. It may vary slightly or significantly with other versions.
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About the Author
Alan Sembera began writing for local newspapers in Texas and Louisiana. His professional career includes stints as a computer tech, information editor and income tax preparer. Sembera now writes full time about business and technology. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in journalism from Texas A&M University.
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