Prefer active verbs.
As a rule, choose an active verb and pair it with a subject that names the person or thing doing the action. Active verbs express meaning more emphatically and vigorously than their weaker counterparts—verbs in the passive voice and forms of the verb be.
| passive | The pumps were destroyed by a surge of power. |
| be verb | A surge of power was responsible for the destruction of the pumps. |
| active | A surge of power destroyed the pumps. |
Verbs in the passive voice lack strength because their subjects receive the action instead of doing it. Forms of the verb be (be, am, is, are, was, were, being, been) lack vigor because they convey no action.
Although passive verbs and the forms of be have legitimate uses, choose an active verb whenever possible.
Even among active verbs, some are more vigorous and colorful than others. Carefully selected verbs can energize a piece of writing.
Academic English
Although you may be tempted to avoid the passive voice completely, keep in mind that some writing situations call for it, especially scientific writing. For appropriate uses of the passive voice, see 8a; for advice about forming the passive voice, see 28b and 47c.