Using active verbs

Edit each sentence to make it more emphatic and vigorous. (Although passive-voice sentences and be verbs can be effective, in the examples in this exercise they don’t work as well as active alternatives.) Before working the exercise, read the example, which establishes context for the numbered items.

Click Submit after each question to see feedback and to record your answer. After you have finished every question, your answers will be submitted to your instructor’s gradebook. You may review your answers by returning to the exercise at any time. (An exercise reports to the gradebook only if your instructor has assigned it.)

For help with this exercise, see Strong, active verbs.

Example

1 of 10

The Russians’ routine exercises were watched by nearby American submarines.

Possible revision:

Question

9hpt4ltd43/YWXz8X1YMyqlBR/g=
Nearby American submarines watched the Russians’ routine exercises.
Using active verbs – 1

2 of 10

Suddenly, the American submarine crews were startled by a pair of explosions.

Possible revision:

Question

9hpt4ltd43/YWXz8X1YMyqlBR/g=
Suddenly, a pair of explosions startled the American submarine crews.
Using active verbs – 2

3 of 10

Nuclear reactors are a source of power for many naval submarines.

Possible revision:

Question

9hpt4ltd43/YWXz8X1YMyqlBR/g=
Nuclear reactors power many naval submarines.
Using active verbs – 3

4 of 10

The result of the explosions was the sinking of the Russian nuclear submarine Kursk.

Possible revision:

Question

9hpt4ltd43/YWXz8X1YMyqlBR/g=
The explosions sank the Russian nuclear submarine Kursk.
Using active verbs – 4

5 of 10

Russian and American officials were in disagreement about the cause of the accident.

Possible revision:

Question

9hpt4ltd43/YWXz8X1YMyqlBR/g=
Russian and American officials disagreed about the cause of the accident.
Using active verbs – 5

6 of 10

The United States was not asked by the Russian navy for help with the rescue operation.

Possible revision:

Question

9hpt4ltd43/YWXz8X1YMyqlBR/g=
The Russian navy did not ask the United States for help with the rescue operation.
Using active verbs – 6

7 of 10

Meanwhile, information about the rescue operation was demanded by the families of the Kursk’s 118 crew members.

Possible revision:

Question

9hpt4ltd43/YWXz8X1YMyqlBR/g=
Meanwhile, the families of the Kursk’s 118 crew members demanded information about the rescue operation.
Using active verbs – 7

8 of 10

Norwegian rescue divers were finally allowed by Russian leaders to look for possible survivors.

Possible revision:

Question

9hpt4ltd43/YWXz8X1YMyqlBR/g=
Russian leaders finally allowed Norwegian rescue divers to look for possible survivors.
Using active verbs – 8

9 of 10

When it became clear that everyone on board the Kursk must have drowned, efforts were ended by the Norwegian divers.

Possible revision:

Question

9hpt4ltd43/YWXz8X1YMyqlBR/g=
When it became clear that everyone on board the Kursk must have drowned, the Norwegian divers ended their efforts.
Using active verbs – 9

10 of 10

People around the world were saddened by the submarine’s tragic story.

Possible revision:

Question

9hpt4ltd43/YWXz8X1YMyqlBR/g=
The submarine’s tragic story saddened people around the world.
Using active verbs – 10