Voice, Part 7: Changing Passive to Active, Method 2

The first method for changing passive to active voice creates a change of subject:

The film was given good reviews. (The subject is film.)
The critics gave the film good reviews. (The subject is now critics.)

Another way to change passive voice to active is to change the verb instead of the subject:

The film received good reviews.

This method is more challenging because it requires the writer to concoct a different word. It is the choice of fluent technical writers, who often give human characteristics to inanimate objects to keep an active style. Examples:

The smartphone communicates throughout the continent.
This document describes the protocol of the Rebop7 System.
The assembly requires a licensed technician.