Manuscript Analysis Free · in-browser · optional cloud history

Passive Voice Scanner

Flag likely passive constructions (was/were + past participle, by the…).

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Runs in your browser. Results can be saved so you can reopen them when signed in — guests are nudged after a couple of uses.
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Paste your text above, then click Analyze — or try Sample.

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About this tool

Passive voice can flatten action scenes and hide your subject. This passive voice scanner flags likely passive constructions — including was/were + past participle and "by the" agent phrases — so you can decide whether to rewrite for stronger active voice.

Why manuscript analysis matters for fiction

Rule-based analyzers catch patterns human eyes skim past—especially in AI drafts where filter words, adverbs, and passive voice cluster predictably. Use metrics to prioritize revision, not to flatten your voice. Run a chapter first, fix the worst offenders, then scan the full manuscript.

Editing guides · AI manuscript editing

How to use it

  1. Paste your manuscript text.
  2. Click Analyze to scan for passive patterns.
  3. Review highlighted lines in context.
  4. Rewrite passives where the subject should act.
  5. Ignore intentional passives (e.g. when the actor is unknown).

Tips for fiction authors

  • Passive voice is a valid choice in mystery and suspense when you deliberately hide the actor: "The vial was emptied" creates tension.
  • Convert "The door was opened by Marcus" to "Marcus opened the door" — the active version is tighter and assigns agency.
  • Check your opening paragraphs first. Passive openings ("It was decided that…") signal low-energy prose to agents and readers.
  • AI models often chain passives in descriptive paragraphs. Break the pattern by leading with a character doing something.

Common questions

Is passive voice always wrong?

No. Passive voice is a stylistic choice. This tool flags candidates for review, not errors to delete blindly.

How accurate is the scanner?

It uses pattern matching, not full NLP. Verify each flag — some false positives occur with compound verb phrases.

Why does AI writing use passive voice?

AI models often produce formal, distanced sentences. A passive scan helps tighten action and dialogue scenes.

Related guides

Why AI Writes Every Character Wanting the Same Thing How to Use AI to Diagnose and Fix Sentence-Level Monotony How to Use AI to Write a Character's Interior Monologue Style How to Control AI's Punctuation Habits to Match Your Authorial Voice