Passive Verbs: Avoid Them (and still use "was")

Creative writing instructors tend to get obsessive about removing passive verbs from fiction. I've harped on this subject so often I have occasionally caused students to agonize over how to avoid using "was" and other forms of "to be" completely. You needn't banish every was, were, am, are and is from your writing. Instead, learn when to use these verbs and when not to.

Sometimes I'm guilty of lumping continuous verbs into the same category as passive verbs because both types, used incorrectly, create wordiness and cause slow, turgid writing.

Various forms of "To be" verbs are necessary as linking verbs. I used one in the previous sentence to link the subject of the sentence (verbs) to an adjective describing it (necessary). For example:

• He is hungry.
• She was thirsty.
• The train was late.

However, both passive verbs and the continuous verb form cause problems for writers.

We call a verb passive when a writer uses a "to be" verb to place the focus on the object of the sentence, rather than on the subject.

Too many passive verbs clutter writing and weaken sentences. The result is dull writing. Efficient, active verbs reduce wordiness and create more powerful sentences. For example:

Passive: Pizzas are eaten after most games.
Active: We eat pizza after most games.

Passive: There are too many people who want to go.
Active: Too many people want to go.

Passive: He is liked by most people.
Active: Most people like him.

Passive: I was taught by Professor Gibbons.
Active: Professor Gibbons taught me.

Inexperienced writers also tend to overuse the continuous verb form, which may weaken and slow writing. Often the past or present tense would make writing crisper. For example:

Continuous: She was wearing a purple jacket so he would recognize her.
Past: She wore a purple jacket so he would recognize her.

Continuous: He was going to eat before he left.
Past: He planned to eat before he left.

To correctly use the continuous tense, use it only when the action is necessarily ongoing. For example:

Correct: I was walking the dog when the car hit the tree.
Incorrect: I walked the dog when the car hit the tree.

Correct: She was talking on the phone when I dropped by.
Incorrect: She talked on the phone when I dropped by.

The past tense in either of these examples would change the meaning of the sentence, and the past continuous works better. Tip: Notice that the word "when" often accompanies the correct use of the continuous form because something interrupts the action.

Questions also correctly use the continuous verb form:

Correct: Are you planning to drive with us?
Correct: Is he coming with you or me?
Correct: Was I supposed to meet you at 6:30 or 7:00?

If you know the difference between these verb forms, you may use "was" with confidence when necessary and avoid incorrectly using passive or continuous forms.

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