如何写英文科技论文 （Unit2 主动语态与动词使用）

考虑到在写学术论文时，我们想表达的意思总是难以用精简的英文描述，总是累赘不堪，故延续上一个单元内容，本文继续讨论如何提高学术论文中的英语写作能力

Unit 2   

2.1 使用主动语态

    在英文学术论文的写作中，应该尽量使用主动语态而非被动语态。因为主动语态强调动作的执行者和责任者，更容易理解。典型的主动语态形式是：

    subject+verb+object；

或者

    subject+verb；

    而常见的被动语态形式多为：

    object+verb+subject。

    一个典型的例子就是：Mistakes were made。

    句子中的被动动词表现形式多为“to be done”形式。

举例：具有“to be”意义的词：be、is、are、been、could be、should be等

被动语态举例：

    e.g.1

    My first visit to Boston will always be remembered by me.

句中使用被动语态，违背了语句的简单性原则，同时有些累赘的感觉，所以应该修正为：

    I will always remember my first visit to Boston.

    e.g.2

    She is loved

    句中使用被动语态产生的问题是：who loves her？

    所以，在一些表达中，被动语态的变现力弱于主动语态。    

    

    想将被动语态转化为主动语态，我们需要做的是将句子整理为：

    “who does what to whom”

    举例：

    e.g. 3 

    passive

    Increased promoter occupancy and transcriptional activation of p21 and other target genes were observed.

    active

    We observed increased promoter occupancy and transcriptional activation of p21 and other target genes.

    e.g. 4

    passive

    Additionally, it was found that pre-treatment with antibiotics increased the 

    number of super-shedders, while immunosuppression did not.

    active

    Pre-treating the mice with antibiotics increased the number of super-shedders 

    while immunosuppresion did not.

2.2 在文中多使用 “we”和“I”

    因为主动语态更容易理解，所以文中应该尽可能多的使用主动语态。

    然而，所有句子都使用主动语态也不可取，我们何时需要使用被动语态呢？

    1. What was done is more important than who did it! 

    2. Readers tend to skim the methods section for key words rather than reading it as prose.

    3. May be more effort than it’s worth to avoid using “we” and “I” in every sentence.

2.3 Active voice practice

    original

    A recommendation was made by the DSMB committee that the study be halted.

    revise

    The DSMB committee recommended that the study be halted.

    original

    Major differences in the reaction times of the two study subjects were found.

    revise  

    We observed major differences in the reaction times of the two study subjects.

    original

    It was concluded by the editors that the data had been falsified by the authors.

    revise

    The editors concluded that the authors falsified their data.

2.4 write with verbs 用动词描述，而非名词

    使用动词有三条原则：

•  use strong verbs

•  avoid turning verbs into nouns

•  don’t bury the main verb

首先应该选择强烈的动词而不是不准确的动词，例如：

    Loud music   came  from speakers embedded in the walls, and the entire arena   moved as the hungry crowd   got  to its feet.

    Loud music exploded from speakers embedded in the walls, and the entire arena shook as the hungry crowd leaped to its feet.

然后，如果能用动词表达，就不要用名词表达，例如：

    During DNA damage, recognition of H3K4me3 by ING2 results in recruitment of Sin3/HDAC and repression of cell proliferation genes.

    During DNA damage, H3K4me3 recruits ING2 and Sin3/HDAC, which together repress cell proliferation genes.

    为了保证在写作时能够注意到每个句子的表现力，我们应该时刻问自己：“who does what to whom”

最后，我们应该保证subject 和verb的距离越近越好，这样便于理解。

2.5 几个小技巧

    1. data是复数名词，不能用data is， 而应该用data are，

    2. compare to 表示要对比相同点，compare with 表示比较不同点，

    3. 定语从句中得that和which分别表示限定与非限定，that用于描述特制的某个事物，而which描述一类事物中具有某种性质的事物。

        e.g.：The bike that is broken is in the garage；指具体的坏的那辆自行车

                 The bike, which is broken, is in the garage；泛指所有自行车