How to Change Microsoft Word Settings to Check Passive Voice

Writing is a very important part of communicating. We all do it for various reasons, with different people and using different tools such as Word. To improve the readability of your writing, Microsoft Word has the capability to check for passive writing voice using this easy set up feature.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Open a Microsoft Word document and click "Tools" on the main toolbar. Select "Options" from the dropdown menu.

2. Select the "Spelling and Grammar" tab and click the "Show Readability Stats".

3. Click the "Settings" button and another window opens, scroll down and under the Style category, select "Passive sentences" and click "OK".

4. Run the "Spelling and Grammar" check on your document. Click "Tools" and select "Spelling and Grammar" from the drop down menu. Your document will run through all the suggested checks by MS Word.

5. When the edit check has completed the "Readability Statistics" window will open showing you the number of passive sentences you have along with additional edit information, click "OK".

6. Return to your document and make all of the appropriate changes. Run the "Spelling and Grammar" check once more on the same document to ensure the "Passive Sentences" check returns the result of zero percent.

Tips & Warnings

• You can copy and paste all of your documents or writings including your email into word. Click "Tools" and Select "Spelling and Grammar" to check for passive sentences.

[0sara0]

on 6/23/2009 I have trouble with writing in a passive voice when I shouldn't. I tried this step by step and it worked perfectly and will make my writing much better thanks.