Active vs. Passive Voice: Converting ‘I Was Written a Letter’ to Active Voice

In English grammar, the choice between using active and passive voice can significantly impact the clarity and effectiveness of your writing. This guide focuses on understanding and converting the sentence “I was written a letter” to active voice, discussing the nuances and benefits of each construction.

The Original Sentence: A Passive Construction

The sentence “I was written a letter” represents a passive construction. In passive voice, the subject of the sentence is acted upon by an implied or unknown agent. Here, the subject (you) is receiving the action (being written a letter).

The correct passive construction would be “A letter was written to me” or “A letter was written by someone.” However, the original sentence “I was written a letter” sounds awkward because the subject (you) is performing the action, which is not typical in passive constructions.

Understanding Active Voice

Active voice, on the other hand, is a clearer and more direct form of writing where the subject of the sentence performs the action. For example:

John wrote a letter to me. I wrote a letter. Someone wrote me a letter.

Demonstrating Active Voice Conversions

The sentence “I was written a letter” can be rephrased into active voice by identifying the writer of the letter. Here are some examples:

My mother wrote me a letter. My cousin’s ex-boyfriend wrote me a letter. A mysterious stranger dressed like a chicken wrote me a letter. Someone wrote me a letter.

It’s important to note that if you genuinely don’t know who wrote the letter, you can use a more general phrase, such as “I received a letter.”

Choosing Between Active and Passive Voice

Choosing between active and passive voice often depends on the context and the emphasis you want to convey:

Active Voice: Ideal for being concise, direct, and engaging. It highlights the subject performing the action, which can make the sentence more dynamic. Passive Voice: Useful when the focus is on the action rather than the subject, or when the actor is less relevant or unknown. It can also be used to downplay the importance of the actor.

For example, in a historical context, you might say:

The modern safety elevator was invented in the 1850s. It’s a proven well-tested technology.

In this sentence, the passive voice deemphasizes Elisha Otis, the inventor, and focuses on the safety and long-standing nature of the technology.

Summary

Rephrasing “I was written a letter” to active voice involves identifying the writer of the letter. These examples demonstrate how you can use “Someone wrote me a letter” if the writer is unknown, or more specific names or descriptions if the writer is known. Understanding the difference between active and passive voice is crucial for clear and effective writing, allowing you to choose the most appropriate construction based on your needs and context.