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Passive Voice in Academic Writing: What, When, and How

Paper BlazerHow-To Guide, Lesson, Proofreading

For years, you’ve likely heard the dictum, “Never use passive voice!” But there are exceptions – especially when it comes to academic/research writing. That being the case, what, when, and how should the passive voice be used? In research writing, clarity and precision are paramount. One of the most common debates among scholars and students alike is whether to use …

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How to Use Verbs in Research Writing: A Guide to Verb Tense

Paper BlazerHow-To Guide, Lesson

Imagine this: You’re staring at your computer screen, coffee in hand, trying to decide whether your research “showed” or “shows” significant results. Your cursor blinks impatiently as you wonder, “Should I use past tense because the study is done? Or present tense because the findings are still relevant?” If you’ve ever found yourself in this dilemma, you’re not alone. Using …