Anglais (BVAP)

When writing a scientific article, specific grammatical structures are generally preferred to convey clarity, precision, and formality. Here are some common grammar rules and structures typically used:

1. Passive Voice vs. Active Voice

• Passive voice is commonly used in the Methods and Results sections to focus on the actions or results rather than the researcher.
• Example: "The samples were analyzed using spectrophotometry."
• Active voice is preferred in the Introduction and Discussion sections to make writing more direct.
• Example: "We analyzed the samples using spectrophotometry."

Active voice and passive voice refer to different ways of structuring a sentence, depending on whether the subject performs or receives the action.

Active Voice:

• The subject of the sentence performs the action.
• Example: "The scientist conducted the experiment."
• Here, "the scientist" (subject) is doing the action (conducting the experiment).

Passive Voice:

• The subject of the sentence receives the action, and the performer may or may not be mentioned.
• Example: "The experiment was conducted by the scientist."
• Here, "the experiment" (subject) is having the action done to it (being conducted), and the performer of the action (the scientist) is optionally mentioned.

In the active voice, the focus is on who is doing the action. In the passive voice, the focus is on what is being done.

2. Present Tense vs. Past Tense

• Present tense is used for:
• Stating established knowledge or scientific facts.
• Example: "Photosynthesis occurs in the chloroplasts."
• Discussing the interpretation or implications of results.
• Example: "These findings suggest a new mechanism of resistance."
• Past tense is used for:
• Describing specific experiments or procedures.
• Example: "We collected data from 50 participants."
• Reporting specific results of the study.
• Example: "The temperature increased by 5°C."

3. Modal Verbs

• Modal verbs like can, could, may, might, should, must, and would are used to:
• Express possibility or probability.
• Example: "This could explain the variation in results."
• Make recommendations or suggestions.
• Example: "Further studies should investigate this phenomenon."

4. Nominalization

• Using nouns instead of verbs to express actions, which can make writing more formal and concise.
• Example: Instead of "We analyzed the data," use "The analysis of the data was conducted."

5. Conditional Sentences

• Often used to discuss potential outcomes or interpretations.
• Example: "If the hypothesis is correct, then the results should show a significant difference."

6. Adverbs of Certainty and Degree

• Adverbs like likely, probably, significantly, and considerably are often used to qualify statements.
• Example: "This result is significantly different from previous studies."

7. Quantifiers and Qualifiers

• Precise language is essential in scientific writing. Words like some, all, several, many, few should be used accurately.
• Example: "Several factors influence the outcome."

8. Parallelism

• Ensure parallel structure when listing actions or outcomes to maintain clarity.
• Example: "The treatment reduced inflammation, improved healing, and decreased pain."

9. Use of Definite and Indefinite Articles

• Definite articles ("the") are used when referring to specific entities, while indefinite articles ("a"/"an") are for general or non-specific references.
• Example: "The results of the study are conclusive."
• Example: "A significant increase was observed."

10. Citations and Reporting Verbs

• Use reporting verbs like suggest, indicate, demonstrate, show, propose when referencing other works.
• Example: "Smith et al. (2020) demonstrated that...".