Passive to Active

Passive sentences often slow down and confuse readers. Rewrite the following to eliminate the passive voice:


1. Rubber coated bullets were fired into the crowd by police in riot gear.
--Police in riot gear fired rubber coated bullets into the crowd.
2. Later in the day, the employees were informed of the layoffs by the boss himself.
--Later in the day, the boss himself informed the employees of the layoffs.
3. With five seconds left, a three-point shot was missed by LeBron James.
--With five seconds left, LeBron James missed a three-point shot.
4. Tall buildings and mountain roads were avoided by Jim because he had such a fear of heights.
--Jim avoided tall buildings and mountain roads because he had such a fear of heights.
5. The bill is being considered by the Legislature.
The Legislature is considering the bill.
6. The practice of covering up mistakes has been pursued by the government.
The government has pursued the practice of covering up mistakes.
7. The car crash was reported by the officer at 1:30 a.m. Monday morning.
--The officer reported the car crash at 1:30 a.m. Monday morning.
8. The tiny island has been destroyed by the earthquake.
--The earthquake destroyed the tiny island.
9. A new law was enacted to fight crime.
--The sentence needs more information.
10. The candidate was abandoned.
--The sentence needs more information.
Red flag: “To be” + past participle