Passives in Academic Writing

In some kinds of academic writing, there is a tendency to depersonalize. In other words, in some academic texts, it is normal to avoid using I, me, my, you, your, we, our and so on. Of course, if you are quoting someone who uses those words, that is fine. For example, instead of writing I investigated the issue of plagiarism, you might write The issue of plagiarism was investigated. Look at the following sentence and change them from active to passive.

1.

My team and I conducted a survey in order to investigate the issue.

2.

I carried out an investigation of young peoples eating habits.

3.

We will conduct three interviews.

4.

I have analyzed the results using Excel.

5.

Scientists may have found a cure for the common cold.

6.

I will discuss the issue of capital punishment in the following essay.

7.

We should take three steps to deal with this problem.

8.

You must read the whole article before you make a decision.

9.

I used observation to discover how often people check their mobile phones.

10.

I reached the following conclusion.

1.

My team and I conducted a survey in order to investigate the issue. A survey was conducted in order to investigate this issue.

2.

I carried out an investigation of young peoples eating habits. An investigation was carried out of young peoples eating habits.

3.

We will conduct three interviews. Three interviews will be conducted.

4.

I have analyzed the results using Excel. The results have been analyzed using Excel.

5.

Scientists may have found a cure for the common cold. A cure for the common cold may have been found.

6.

I will discuss the issue of capital punishment in the following essay. The issue of capital punishment will be discussed in the following essay.

7.

We should take three steps to deal with this problem. Three steps should be taken to deal with this problem.

8.

You must read the whole article before you make a decision. The whole article must be read before a decision is made.

9.

I used observation to discover how often people check their mobile phones. Observation was used to discover how often people check their mobile phones.

10.

I reached the following conclusion. The following conclusion was reached.

In a piece of academic writing, you will see both active and passive sentences. It is important not to overuse passives. At the same time, it is often necessary to be impersonal in your writing. For this purpose, passives and nominalization are useful tools.