Patent Document ID: 8014996
Application ID: 11853561

Base Claim:
1. A system to improve authored text by mitigating problems related to passive voice, the system comprising: a database of rules, comprising at least one rule having detection logic for detecting whether a particular writing problem exists in authored text, the detection logic comprising a sign that indicates the possible occurrence or absence of the writing problem relating to passive voice, and correction logic for correcting the problem, the correction logic capable of identifying a proposed edit; a computer processor configured to apply the rules to the authored text; and a user interface configured to suggest the proposed edit to the user, according to the rules; wherein the sign comprises a past participle followed by the word “by” and one or more of the following: a time noun, and a transport noun, said sign not being a predetermined phrase.

---

Claim 4:
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the sign also includes a “to be” verb, and the detection logic is configured to determine if the term “required” immediately follows the “to be” verb and if so, whether the word “to” is found within the next two words after “required.”