英语中最自然的语态是主动语态，而较少使用被动语态。主动语态使句子意思明确、有力。被动语态过多则句子语义模糊、结构笨拙、呆板。主要特点是不知动作执行者，而增加一些不必要的词语，给人隐晦之感。不少科学写作组织和编辑组织，主张用主动语态，多用人称We、They、I，这样除概念明确外，句子显得亲切、生动。当然被动语态在某项实验过程中，技术操作时，可以适当使用，这是以在实际环境中可理解为前提出的。关键是使用得体。
原句：Oxygen is needed for combustion.
改过：Combustion needs oxygen.
原句：It was not felt advisable that any further therapy should be give at this time.
改过：We considered further treatment inadvisable.
名词堆砌为中国式英文的一种表现形式，起因多半是受中文影响将必要的介词、冠词等去掉，造成语义含糊。一般来说，名词接连三个在一起容易生产歧义。对于名词堆砌，有效的办法就是加上必要的仍需加上必要的介词、冠词等，并调整好词序。
A seventh intercostals space anterior lateral thoracotomy
(anterolateral thoracotomy at the seventh intercostal space)
Severe respiratory tract erosive burns
(severe erosive burns of the respiratory tract)
名词堆砌的另外一个起因是，在论文翻译和写作中，作者不重视实义动词的作用，喜欢使用抽象名词，将句子写得繁杂、沉闷。用分词和动词演变的名词或名词词组构成句子，使用介词串联起来，而动词非常苍白无力。如：
原句：Resection of the aneurysm was accomplished.
改过：We reseced the aneurysm.
原句：Conversion of acetates to iodides was effected.
改过：Acetates were converted to iodides.
原句：Hydriodic acid attack on unsaturated ethers proceeds at olefinic bonds.
改过：Hydriodic acid attacks unsaturated ethers at olefinic bonds.
原句：Injection of the protein was more difficult of achievement in older animals due to the frequency of occurrence of thrombosis.
改过：It was more difficult to inject the protein into older animals because thrombi often formed.
由此可见，使用抽象名词的动词形式使句子变得更明快有力，其关键是发现隐蔽起来的动词形式，而不受汉语思维的影响。
用词重复、矛盾
Ages ranged from 16 to 45 year of age.
There was generalized abdominal tenderness over the entire abdomen.
The liver was highly lobulated in both lobes;
The patient had thrombophlebitis of the veins in the legs.
Patients were premedicated with acetaminophen 30 minutes before the infusion.
The colostomy was opened.
Physical examination revealed an acutely ill woman in great distress.
最后一句中，physical examination revealed 一般均可去掉。经检查而发现什么，不言而喻。同样，类似careful and thorough examination revealed……都是废话，检查没有不希望仔细，彻底的。解决的办法仍旧是摆脱中文思维，注意英文单词的固有含义。
过多使用引导词语
一些引导词语在句子中一般没在真实含义，不过是作者“说话前清嗓子”而已，多数去掉不损害文意。现在不少介绍科技英语写作的书籍则当作专用词语来介绍，似乎反而要教作者养成“饶舌头”的毛病，值得警惕。这类词语如：
It is apparent (well known, interesting, significant, not worthy )that;
It can be stated that;
It has been demonstrated that;
It seems reasonable to state that;
It should be remembered (noted, emphasized)that;
We wish to call attention to the fact that；
……
少用there is（are、was、were）
这类无生气的句式，用多了影响文气。对策是：必要时，直接使用动词句子，可增强句子活力。如：
There was pain in the abdomen.
(The abdomen was painful.)
There was predominantly protein formation…….
(Proteins were mostly formed……)
