Chapter 3 - Useful Sentence Structures and Language for Academic Writing

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Chapter 3: Useful Sentence Structures and Language for Academic Writing

3a: Passive Construction

The passive voice is commonly used in academic texts for the following purposes:

To focus on the key subject matter by putting it first or to emphasise the process/act/outcome over the doer

e.g. The electric current is created by electrons or charges moving through a path called an electric circuit. An electric circuit can be formed by attaching conductors to the positive and negative sides of a power source (e.g. a battery cell).

(* “The electric current” and “an electric circuit” are the key terms and concepts to be defined and described here.)

To avoid mentioning an unknown/unclear doer or avoid attributing the action to a particular doer

e.g. The electric current is classified into two types, i.e. alternating current and direct current. It is measured in ampere.

To present information, ideas or views in a more objective tone

e.g. In an experiment (which was) conducted in the Physics lesson on 3 Oct 2021, it was observed that the length and thickness of a wire would affect the current flow in an electric circuit.

(c/f: In an experiment I conducted in the Physics lesson on 3 Oct 2021, I observed that the length and thickness of a wire would affect the current flow in an electric circuit.)

The passive voice is usually formed by a verb “to be” (in different tense forms) + past participle. e.g. The electric current is measured in ampere.

Purposes	Sentences from the Text
A	(i)
B	(ii)
C	(iii)
C	(iv)
B	(v)

3a 3b 3c 3d

Activity 2

The following sentences are taken from an article on obesity. Choose the main purpose (A/B/C) the passive voice serves in each sentence.

To focus on the key subject matter by putting it first or to emphasise the process/act/outcome over the doer
To avoid mentioning an unknown/unclear doer or avoid attributing the action to a particular doer
To present information, ideas or views in a more objective tone

Purposes	Sentences from the Text
	(i)	Obesity is a health problem that is growing rapidly in many parts of the world. It was officially defined by World Health Organisation as “a disease in which excess body fat has accumulated to such an extent that one’s health may be at risk” in 2000.
	(ii)	Obesity is associated with the leading causes of death, which include strokes, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
	(iii)	Obese people are also found to be at a higher risk of suffering from some cancers, for example, breast, bowel and pancreatic cancers.
	(iv)	In an affluent city like Hong Kong, the main causes of obesity are believed to be the popularity of western fast food and a lack of physical exercise.
	(v)	To tackle the problem of obesity, education campaigns must be launched to raise people’s health consciousness. Cross-sectoral action is also required to promote healthy eating and physical activity.