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CSEET · Business Communication · Essentials of Good English

Which sentence demonstrates the best use of the active voice and concise wording in a business report?

The sentence "Staff must submit the report to management by Friday" is best. It uses the active voice, names who must act, includes a deadline and avoids padding, whereas the other options are passive or wordy and make the instruction less direct.

  1. AIt is requested by the management that the report be submitted by all the staff members
  2. BThe report is required to be submitted by the staff to the management
  3. CStaff must submit the report to management by FridayCorrect
  4. DThe submission of the report by the staff is something the management requires

Explanation

"Staff must submit the report to management by Friday" has a clear actor, a direct verb and no wasted words. The other options use passive or wordy constructions that hide the doer and lengthen the sentence.

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