UNDER CONSTRUCTION
This section gives you hints on how to improve your manuscript. The more basic topics you need to know while preparing a manuscript are described in Part 2: Basic Grammar and Essential Information. Please make sure you are familiar with the more basic topics discussed in Part 2 before using this page.
Use active and passive sentences alternately.
Articles and formal texts have traditionally incorporated many sentences written in passive voice. However, a text with consecutive passive sentences creates discomfort for the reader and sometimes makes the text difficult to understand. The most effective solution is to use active and passive sentences alternately in the text and to write a sentence in active voice if reading the passive sentence will cause confusion. Below are ways to turn passive sentences into active ones. With the opposite method, you can turn your active sentences into passive sentences.
How to turn a passive sentence into an active sentence?
You can use three simple methods to turn a passive sentence into an active sentence:
1. Use an adjective instead of a passive verb.
Example sentences:
Passive: Low blood pressure and rapid heartbeat were observed in all patients.
Active: Low blood pressure and rapid heartbeat were evident in all patients.
2. Replace passive verbs with active verbs.
Example sentences:
Passive: Twenty-four patients with esophageal cancer were given radiotherapy before surgery.
Active: Twenty-four patients with esophageal cancer received radiotherapy before surgery.
3. Use the verb forms of words that have both nouns and verb forms. If the word can be used both as a noun and a verb, prefer verbs.
Example sentences:
Passive: A comparison was made between the control and the test group.
Active: We compared the control and the test group.
Passive: Substance A was significantly decreased after the addition of Substance B.
Active: The addition of Substance B significantly decreased Substance A.
Do not start consecutive sentences with the same words. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
We are preparing the content.
Do not end consecutive sentences with the same words. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
We are preparing the content.
Do not end sentences with verbs. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
We are preparing the content.
Do not reuse the same word too closely. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
We are preparing the content.
When using pronouns such as it, this, these, such, make sure that there is no ambiguity in the sentence. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
We are preparing the content.
Group your thoughts. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
We are preparing the content.
Group similar words. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
We are preparing the content.
Compare similar things. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
We are preparing the content.
Avoid using very short or very long sentences. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
We are preparing the content.
Be careful not to repeat words. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
We are preparing the content.
Avoid using unnecessary words. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
We are preparing the content.
Avoid excessive use of synonyms. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
We are preparing the content.
Use strong verbs instead of weak ones. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
We are preparing the content.
Pay attention to the order of the words for the emphasis. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
We are preparing the content.
Do not use vague expressions; be clear. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
We are preparing the content.
Avoid faulty parallelism. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
We are preparing the content.
Do not use two negatives to give a positive meaning. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
We are preparing the content.
Avoid excessive use of the word not. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
We are preparing the content.
Avoid using excessive phrasal verbs. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
We are preparing the content.
Avoid using the continuous tense. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
We are preparing the content.
Avoid long noun strings. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
We are preparing the content.
Use adjectives before nouns if possible. (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)
We are preparing the content.