That's So Passive
The correct structure for an active voice sentence
Subject + Verb + Object
What are nominalizations?
Verbs or adjectives turned into nouns.
Three examples of unnecessary modifiers
Very, really, quite, kind of, basically, actually, and somewhat
Name two of the ways to separate a run on sentence
Split into Separate Sentences
Use a Semicolon
Insert a Comma and a Coordinating Conjunction
Use a Subordinating Conjunction
Rework one clause into a dependent clause by adding a subordinating conjunction (because, although, since, etc.).
Make an active voice sentence
Neil Armstrong
Pluto
To Travel
Example:
Neil Armstrong never traveled to Pluto.
If you format your sentence in this style it's wrong
Passive Voice
Get rid of the nominalization
Donkey made the suggestion that we make waffles in the morning.
Donkey suggested we make waffles in the morning.
Get Rid of the Modifier
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess is a really great album.
The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess is a fantastic album.
Correct the sentence
I don't think we need that many dinosaur balloons, therefore we should cut down on the number.
I don't think we need that many dinosaur balloons. Therefore, we should cut down on the number.
I don't think we need that many dinosaur balloons; therefore, we should cut down on the number.
Modify the Modifiers (and Shorten the Sentence): Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day
Alexander and the Worst Day.
Alexander and the Miserable Day.
Etc.
Make this sentence active:
My dog was given extra bacon for being cute.
I gave my bacon extra bacon for being cute.
Get Rid of the Nominalization
The dogs worked diligently to come to a resolution regarding the squirrel problem in the backyard.
The dogs worked together to resolve the backyard squirrel problem.
Get rid of the modifier
The first Twilight movie was very successful and exceeded our expectations.
Twilight's success exceeded our expectations.
Break up this sentence into two
We haven't talked about chips and dip, how many kinds should we get for the party.
We haven't talked about chips and dip. How many kinds should we get for the party?