1 / 21
E N D
Nov 11, 2021 CLASS #31 Academic Writing II
Contents 01 02 Verbs – passives Verbs – tenses 03 Verbs of reference
The passive is used when the writer wants to focus on the result, not on the cause: The college The college was founded in 1925 by Walter Trimble. (passive) Walter Trimble Walter Trimble founded the college in 1925. (active) The cause of the action can be shown by adding ‘by . . .’: The city was flooded by a severe hurricane. by a severe hurricane. The passive is also used in written work to provide a more impersonal style: The findings were evaluated were evaluated. (not ‘I evaluated the findings’)
All passive structures have two parts: Form of the verb to be Form of the verb to be Past participle Past participle is constructed developed was re-organised will be
Using adverbs Using adverbs An adverb can be inserted in a passive form to add information: This process is commonly called ‘networking’ Example Example: The recession forced half the companies to go out of business. Half the companies were eventually eventually forced to go out of business by the recession.
● ● ● ● ● ● The Connors family ran the company until 1981. Dr Weber has predicted that prisons will be unnecessary in the future. They provided pencils for all students in the exam. The researchers calculated the percentages to three decimal places. The students handed in the essays on Tuesday morning. She researched the life cycle of over 15 types of mice optimistically helpfully punctually accurately eventually vividly carefully profitably PRACTICE
EVALUATED QUESTIONS -What is the purpose of passive voice in academic writing? -How many parts does the passive structure have? -What is the function of adverbs in the passive form?
Verbs of reference When introducing quotations or summaries of other writers’ ideas it is necessary to use verbs of reference such as ‘claims’ or ‘states’. These verbs indicate the position of the writer whose ideas are being summarised.
Using verbs of reference Referring verbs are used to summarise another writer’s ideas: Previn argued that global warming was mainly caused by the solar cycle. Bakewell (1992) found that most managers tended to use traditional terms . . . They may also be used to introduce a quotation. . . . as Scott observed: ‘Comment is free but facts are sacred’.
Common referring verbs argue/ claim/ consider hypothesise / suggest / believe think / state A. Melville (1997) suggested that eating raw eggs could be harmful. B. Handlesmith doubts Melville’s suggestion that eating raw eggs accept / admit / agree / deny doubt C. Patel (2003) assumes that inflation will remain low. assume /conclude /discover explain /imply /indicate maintain /presume/reveal/show PRACTICE
A small group of verbs is followed by the pattern (somebody/ thing + for + noun/ gerund): (somebody/ thing + for + noun/ gerund): Lee (1998) blamed the media for creating uncertainty blame censure commend condemn criticise blame censure commend condemn criticise PRACTICE
EVALUATED QUESTIONS -What is the importance of verbs of reference in Academic Writing? -What are the two common functions of reference verbs in academic writing?
Verbs – tenses How many tenses are there in english
There are 12 major verb tenses in English in all. Simple Tenses Simple present: I drive home every day. Simple past: I drove home yesterday. Simple future: I will drive home later. Progressive (Continuous) Tenses Past progressive: I was driving when you called. Present progressive: I am driving now. Future progressive: I will be driving when you call. Perfect Tenses Present perfect: I have driven that road. Past perfect: I had already driven that road in the past. Future perfect: I will have driven 200 miles by tomorrow.
Perfect Progressive Tenses Present perfect progressive: Present perfect progressive: I have been driving since this morning. Past perfect progressive: Past perfect progressive: I had been driving for three hours before I stopped to get gas. Future perfect progressive: Future perfect progressive: I will have been driving for five hours by the time I arrive.
Which tenses are used in the following examples? (verbs in bold) (a) According to Hoffman (1996) small firms respond respond more rapidly to change . . . (b) Currently, student numbers are falling are falling but class sizes are rising. are rising. (c) Since the summer house prices have increased have increased steadily. (d) In the last three years more students have been working have been working part time. (e) Two years ago the island opened opened its third airport. (f) During the winter she was studying she was studying Japanese history. (g) The report was published in June. It showed that in 2009 profits had increased by 55 per cent. had increased (h) The forecast concludes that infection rates will peak will peak next month. PRACTICE
Simple or continuous? (a) In general, the continuous is used to focus on the activity itself or to stress its temporary nature. Compare the following: She has been writing that report for six days. (to show duration of temporary activity) to show duration of temporary activity) He is writing an article on probability theory. (to show temporary nature of activity) (to show temporary nature of activity) She writes stories for teenage girls. (to demonstrate her normal work) (to demonstrate her normal work) (b) Also note that certain verbs are rarely used in the continuous. They are state verbs such as prefer, own and believe. Another similar group is known as performative verbs (assume, deny, promise, refuse, suggest). PRACTICE
THE AMERICAN FAMILY Recently, the condition of the family has produced America. The statistics of collapse have appeared children born outside marriage rose share of households made up of two parents and their children fell 1960 to only 23 per cent in 2000. has produced some of the strongest debate heard in have appeared simple and clear. The proportion of rose from 18 per cent in 1980 to 33 per cent in 1999. The fell from 45 per cent in PRACTICE
EVALUATED QUESTIONS -What is the importance of verb tenses specifically in Academic Writing?
