What is the correct way to rewrite the sentence from passive voice to active voice?
The correct answer is option E: "The power outage during last week’s thunderstorm ruined the experiment." This statement is written in the active voice, where the subject ("the power outage during last week's thunderstorm") is carrying out the action ("ruined") on the object ("the experiment").
Understanding Active and Passive Voice
Active voice is a type of sentence or clause in which the subject performs the action expressed by the verb. In contrast, passive voice is a type of sentence or clause in which the subject receives the action of the verb. Active voice is often preferred in writing because it is clearer, more direct, and easier to understand.
In the original sentence, "The experiment was ruined by the power outage during the thunderstorm last week," the subject ("the experiment") is receiving the action of the verb ("was ruined"). To change this sentence to active voice, we need to make the subject of the sentence the one performing the action.
By rewriting the sentence as "The power outage during last week’s thunderstorm ruined the experiment," we have shifted the focus to the power outage as the one causing the ruin. This change makes the sentence more concise and direct, which is a hallmark of active voice writing.
It's important to remember that active voice is not always the best choice, and there are times when passive voice may be more appropriate. However, in many cases, using active voice can improve the clarity and impact of your writing.