Voice and tone · nuanced
VT-01
Use active voice when giving instructions or describing user actions. Passive voice is acceptable for confirmations and system status messages where the actor is irrelevant or where naming the actor would feel unnatural.
Pass example
Your changes are saved. Go to settings to update your preferences.
Fail example
Changes have been saved by the system. Preferences can be updated in the settings area by the user.
Relevant content types
Notes by content type
- Confirmation
- Passive voice is acceptable in confirmations and system status messages. Only flag if the passive construction is unnecessarily complex or awkwardly names the actor (e.g., 'Changes have been saved by the system').
- Heading
- Passive voice is acceptable when used to emphasize a trust signal, credential, or user benefit (e.g., "Trusted by 10,000 patients," "Handled by the pros"). These constructions correctly foreground what matters to the user. Only flag passive voice when it obscures the actor in a way that reduces clarity or accountability.
- Short UI copy
- Passive voice is acceptable when used to emphasize a trust signal, credential, or user benefit (e.g., "Trusted by 10,000 patients," "Handled by the pros"). These constructions correctly foreground what matters to the user. Only flag passive voice when it obscures the actor in a way that reduces clarity or accountability.