写好SCI论文的语言技巧 --- 学术英语的表达 ---- 主动与被动语态如何取舍

How to pose a good scientific writting style? --- Active vs. Passive voice  主动与被动语态

voice是及物动词(transitive verbs)的形式，表示主语（subject）是主动施加动作还是被施加动作。

一、适合使用被动语态的几种情形：

1）施加动作的主体是unnamed, unknown或irrelevant与上下文不相关的，被动语态合适。eg:

      Kevin's most influential work was published in1859.

2) 强调动作施加的结果，而不是动作施加者。eg:

     Kevin designed a PCB board.  强调的是动作的施加者kevin

    A PCB board was designed by Kevin. 强调的是动作的结果 PCB board

二、原则：除非你有上述好的理由非要使用被动语态不可，尽可能多的用主动语态。

  研究者过多的使用被动语态是个常见现象。这通常是基于一种固守的逻辑，认为在一个句子中提出动作施加者某种程度上是无礼(impolite)、不专业(unscientific)的。科学家们通常恨不得每个句子都用被动语态。

     但是必须清楚，无论对那种style的写作，主动语态都比被动语态更精确(precise)更简洁（less wordy）。主动语态是大部分人说和写的自然流畅的语态。此外，主动语态也使你的写作with more energy，迫使你搞清楚到底想说什么。反之，被动语态经常混淆（obscure）你的真实含义，容易使你的文章看起来浮夸、华而不实（compund your chances of producing pompous prose）

三、从模糊的被动到精确的主动[for example]

vague passive phrasingactive precise wording

       It is recommended by authors of the present strudy thatWe recommended...

       The data which were obtained by Johnson were probably indicative ofJohnson's data propably indicate

The following results were obtained...We obtained these results

    It was discovered that a sustained coordinated effort will be required...We need a sustained coordinated effort

 

四、挖掘（exhume）出名词结尾的黄金

有时候，以-ion结尾的名称隐含着一个更生动的(more vigorous)动词。挖掘出这个被埋没的（buried）vigorous 动词，可将一个被动语态的句子变为主动语态。e.g.,

       埋没黄金的名词有： detection

      buried verb hidden in -ion:     Slip detection was accomplished by Team A

rescrrected verb: Team A detected slip