44c Revising shifts in voice

44cRevising shifts in voice

Do not shift without reason between the active voice (she sold it) and the passive voice (it was sold). (See 39g.) Sometimes a shift in voice is justified, but often it only confuses readers.

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The original sentence shifts from the active (youths approached) to the passive (I was asked), so it is unclear who asked for the wallet. Making both verbs active clears up the confusion.