如何用简明英语写作

Author： liypoi
发布时间：September 4, 2020
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Categories：学习

# 如何用简明英语写作

[原文](http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/how-to-write-in-plain-english.html)

**Contents**
This guide begins with an introduction called, ‘So what's plain English?’
内容本指南以一个名为“什么是简明英语”的介绍开始。
The guide then looks at the main ways to make writing clearer.
接下来，该指南将介绍使写作更清晰的主要方法。
- Keep your sentences short
保持句子简短
- Prefer active verbs
喜欢主动动词
- Use 'you' and 'we'
使用“你”和“我们”
- Use words that are appropriate for the reader
使用适合读者的词语
- Don't be afraid to give instructions
不要害怕给出指示
- Avoid nominalisations
避免名词化
- Use lists where appropriate
在适当的地方使用清单
The guide then looks at the difficult subject of apologising, and deals with some of the myths that can get in the way of clear communication.
该指南接着探讨了道歉的难题，并处理了一些可能妨碍清晰沟通的误解。
The guide finishes with a summary and a list of words to avoid.
指南以总结和避免使用的单词列表结束。
***

## So what's plain English
那么什么是通俗英语呢？

First let's say what plain English isn't and destroy some of the myths about it.

首先，让我们说说简单英语不是什么，并打破一些关于它的迷思。

- It's not 'cat sat on the mat’ or 'Janet and John' writing. Almost anything - from leaflets and letters to legal documents - can be written in plain English without being patronising or oversimplified.

这不是“猫坐在垫子上”或“珍妮特和约翰”的文字。几乎所有内容-从传单和信件到法律文件-都可以用朴素的英语书写，而不会显得傲慢或简化。

- It doesn't mean reducing the length of your message or changing its meaning. Most of the UK's biggest insurance companies produce policies that explain everything fully in plain English.

这并不意味着要缩短信息的长度或改变其意义。英国多数大型保险公司制定的保单，都会用通俗易懂的语言解释一切。

- It's not about banning new words, killing off long words or promoting completely perfect grammar. Nor is it about letting grammar slip.

它不是关于禁止新单词，消灭长单词或提倡完全完美的语法。也不是让语法出错。

- It is not an amateur's method of communication. Most forward-looking senior managers always write in plain English.

这不是业余爱好者的交流方式。 大多数具有远见的高级管理人员总是用朴素的英语写作。

- And finally, it is not as easy as we would like to think.

最后，这并不像我们想的那么简单。

Sadly, thanks to the bureaucrats of public service industries, local councils, banks, building societies, insurance companies and government departments, we have learnt to accept an official style of writing that is inefficient and often unfriendly.

遗憾的是，由于公共服务行业、地方议会、银行、房屋建筑协会、保险公司和政府部门的官僚们，我们已经学会了接受一种效率低下、往往不友好的官方写作风格。

But in the last few years, many of these offenders have started to put things right, either rewriting their documents clearly or training their staff in the art of plain English, or both.

但在过去几年里，许多违法者开始纠正错误，要么将文件重写得清清楚楚，要么对员工进行简明英语的培训，或者两者兼而有之。

The main advantages of plain English are

简明英语的主要优点是

it is faster to write;

写起来更快

it is faster to read;

读取速度更快

and you get your message across more often, more easily and in a friendlier way.

您可以更频繁，更轻松，更友好地传达信息。

If you spend more than an hour a day writing, you are to an extent a professional writer. So it's vital that you get it right.

如果你每天花一个小时以上的时间写作，你就在一定程度上是个职业作家了。所以，正确的选择是至关重要的。

So what is plain English? It is a message, written with the reader in mind and with the right tone of voice, that is clear and concise.

那么什么是简明英语呢?它是一种信息，写的时候要考虑到读者的感受，并且要用正确的语气，这是一种清晰而简洁的信息。

## Keep your sentences short
Most experts would agree that clear writing should have an average sentence length of 15 to 20 words.

大多数专家都认为，清晰的书写应该是15到20个单词的平均句子长度。

This does not mean making every sentence the same length. Be punchy. Vary your writing by mixing short sentences (like the last one) with longer ones (like this one). Follow the basic principle of sticking to one main idea in a sentence, plus perhaps one other related point. You should soon be able to keep to the average sentence length - used by top journalists and authors - quite easily.

这并不是说要让每个句子都一样长。头昏眼花的。把短句子(比如最后一个)和长句子(比如这个)混合在一起，让你的写作风格多样化。在一个句子中，要遵循一个基本原则，即坚持一个主要观点，也许再加上另一个相关的观点。你应该很快就能很容易地保持句子的平均长度——这是顶级记者和作家所使用的。

However, at first you may still find yourself writing the odd long sentence, especially when trying to explain a complicated point. But most long sentences can be broken up in some way.

然而，一开始你还是会发现自己在写奇怪的长句子，尤其是当你试图解释一个复杂的观点时。但是大多数长句子都可以以某种方式分解。

## Prefer active verbs
Do you want your letters to sound active or passive - crisp and professional or stuffy and bureaucratic?

你希望你的信件听起来是主动的还是被动的——干脆、专业还是沉闷、官僚?

To explain the difference between active and passive verbs, we need to look briefly at how a sentence fits together. There are three main parts to almost every sentence:

为了解释主动和被动动词的区别，我们需要简单地看一下一个句子是如何组合在一起的。几乎每个句子都有三个主要部分：

- a **subject** (the person, group or thing doing the action);

主体(做动作的人、团体或事物)

- a **verb** (the action itself);

动词(动作本身)

- an **object** (the person, group or thing that the action is done to).

一个对象(人、组或被动作所做的事)。

To give an example, in the sentence 'Peter watched the television':

举个例子，在“彼得看电视”一句中：

- the **subject** is Peter (he is doing the watching);

主题是彼得（他正在观看）

- the **verb** is watched

动词是watching

the **object** is the television (it is being watched).

对象是电视（正在观看）。

Of course, there will usually be lots of other words as well. For example: 'Peter, the boy from number 13, watched the television every Friday night'. But the subject, verb and object are still there.

当然，通常也会有很多其他的单词。例如:“彼得，13号的男孩，每周五晚上看电视。”但是主语，动词和宾语还在。

Peter (**subject**) watched (**verb**) the television (**object**). 'Watched' is an active verb here. The sentence says who is doing the watching before it says what is being watched.
彼得（对象）看了（动词）电视（对象）。

“观看”在这里是一个主动动词。 在说出正在观看的内容之前，这句话说谁在看。

With a passive sentence, the object becomes the subject and the subject becomes the object. The television (**subject**) was watched (**verb**) by Peter (**object**). Watched is a passive verb here. You can see that by making the sentence passive, we have had to introduce the words 'was' and 'by', and the sentence becomes more clumsy.

在被动句中，宾语变成主语，主语变成宾语。电视(主题)被彼得(物体)观看(动词)。watch在这里是被动动词。你可以看到，通过使句子变成被动语态，我们不得不引入单词“was”和“by”，句子变得更加笨拙。

Remember that the subject is not always a person and the object is not always a thing! 'The tree crushed Peter' is active but 'Peter was crushed by the tree' is passive.

请记住，主题并不总是一个人，而对象也不总是一个东西！ “树木被彼得击碎”是主动的，但“彼得被树木击碎”是被动的。

Here are some more examples of how to turn a passive verb into an active verb.

这里还有一些如何把被动动词变成主动动词的例子。

This matter will be considered by us shortly. (Passive)

我们将很快考虑此事。

**We will consider this matter shortly. (Active)**

我们会很快考虑这件事。(主动)

The riot was stopped by the police. (Passive)

骚乱被警察制止了。(被动)

**The police stopped the riot. (Active)**

警察制止了骚乱。

The mine had to be closed by the authority. (Passive)

当局不得不关闭矿井。(被动)

**The authority had to close the mine. (Active)**

当局不得不关闭矿井。(主动)

Passive verbs cause several problems.

被动动词会引起几个问题。

- They can be confusing.

他们可能会造成混乱。

- They often make writing more long-winded.

他们常常使写作变得冗长。

- They make writing less lively.

他们使写作变得不那么生动。

## Good uses of passives
正确使用被动语态

There are times of course when it might be appropriate to use a passive.

当然，有些时候使用被动语态是合适的。

- To make something less hostile - 'this bill has not been paid' (passive) is softer than 'you have not paid this bill' (active).
为了减少敌意，“未付款”（被动）比“您尚未付款”（主动）要柔和一些。

- To avoid taking the blame - 'a mistake was made' (passive) rather than 'we made a mistake' (active).
为了避免受到指责-“犯了一个错误”（被动）好于“我们犯了一个错误”（主动）。

- When you don't know who or what the doer is - 'the England team has been picked'.
当你不知道谁或做什么的时候-“英格兰队被选中了”。

- If it simply sounds better.
如果只是听起来更好的话。

But aim to make about 80 to 90% of your verbs active.

但是你的目标是让80%到90%的动词是主动的。

This difference between active and passive verbs is not easy to grasp. Some people never really get it. So if you are confused, read this section again.

主动和被动动词之间的这种区别是不容易掌握的。有些人从来没有真正理解过。所以，如果你感到困惑，请再读一遍这部分。

## Use 'you' and 'we'

Try to call the reader 'you', even if the reader is only one of many people you are talking about generally. If this feels wrong at first, remember that you wouldn't use words like 'the applicant' and 'the supplier' if you were speaking to somebody sitting across a desk from you.

试着称呼读者为“你”，即使这个读者只是你通常谈论的许多人中的一个。如果一开始感觉这是错误的，记住，如果你和坐在桌子对面的人说话，你不会使用“应聘者”和“供应商”这样的词。

Here are some examples of this.

这里有一些例子：

Applicants must send us...
申请人必须发送给我们...

**You must send us...**
您必须发送给我们...

We always tell customers before we...
我们总是在告诉客户之前...

**We will tell you before we...**
我们会在您之前告诉您.

Advice is available from...
可以从...获得建议

**You can get advice from**
您可以从中获取建议

Similarly, always call your organisation 'we'. And there is nothing wrong with using 'we' and 'I' in the same letter.

同样，请始终将您的组织称为“我们”。 在同一字母中使用“我们”和“我”没有任何问题。

## Use words that are appropriate for the reader

When you are talking to your reader, say exactly what you mean, using the simplest words that fit. This does not necessarily mean only using simple words - just words that the reader will understand.

当你和你的读者交谈时，用最简单的词准确地表达你的意思。这并不一定意味着只使用简单的词——只使用读者能够理解的词。

At the end of this guide there is a list of a few of the words that we suggest you avoid. But for most words you will have to decide yourself whether they are suitable.

在本指南的最后，我们列出了一些我们建议你避免使用的单词。但对于大多数单词，你必须自己决定它们是否合适。

Jargon is a type of language that is only understood by a particular group of people. You can use jargon when writing to people who will understand the terms and phrases. It can be a useful form of shorthand. But try to avoid using specialist jargon on the general public.

行话是一种只有特定人群才能理解的语言。你可以在写信给理解这些术语和短语的人时使用行话。它可以是一种有用的速记形式。但是要尽量避免在公众面前使用专业术语。

So in general, keep to everyday English whenever possible. And again, imagine talking to your reader across a table.

所以，一般来说，尽可能使用日常英语。再一次，想象一下坐在桌子对面和你的读者交谈。

## Don't be afraid to give instructions
不要害怕发号施令

Sit!

Brush your teeth.

Please send it to me.

These are all commands - officially called imperatives. They are the fastest and most direct way of giving someone instructions.

这些都是命令——正式称为命令。它们是给人指示的最快、最直接的方式。

However, if we asked a hardened bureaucrat to write these expressions, we would end up with something like the following.

然而，如果我们让一个强硬的官僚来写这些表达，我们会得到如下的结果。

Dogs are advised that they should sit down.

建议狗应该坐下。

Your teeth should be brushed.

您应该刷牙。

I should be grateful if you would send it to me.

如果您能寄给我，我将不胜感激。

There always seems to be a fear of commands. The most common fault is putting 'customers should do this' or 'you should do this' instead of just 'do this'. Perhaps people worry that commands sound too harsh. But you can often solve this by putting the word 'please' in front. However, if something must be done, it is best not to say please as it gives the reader the option to refuse the request.

人们似乎总是害怕命令。最常见的错误是把“客户应该做这个”或“你应该做这个”而不是“做这个”。也许人们担心这些命令听起来过于苛刻。但你通常可以把“请”放在前面来解决这个问题。然而，如果必须要做某事，最好不要说“请”，因为这给了读者拒绝请求的选择。

Here are some examples of long-winded phrases and shorter versions that use commands.

下面是一些使用命令的冗长短语和简短版本的例子。

You should just think of it as a complete statement.
你应该把它看成一个完整的陈述。

**Just think of it as a complete statement.**
只需将其视为完整的声明即可

Writers should aim to be punchy.
作家应该坚定目标。

**Be punchy.**
更坚定

They should be split where suitable
他们应该在适当的地方分开

**Split them where suitable.**
在合适的地方把它们分开。

The last example is probably the worst because it uses a passive verb - 'should be split'. Unfortunately this is very common in instructions. For example

最后一个例子可能是最糟糕的，因为它使用了被动动词“should be split”。不幸的是，这在指令中很常见。例如：

The packet should be removed from the box. The contents should then be placed in the oven.
应从包装盒中取出包装袋。 然后将内容物放入烤箱。

**Remove the packet from the box. Then place the contents in the oven.**
把包从盒子里拿出来。然后把食物放入烤箱。

## Avoid nominalisations
A nominalisation is a type of abstract noun. (Is that plain English?) In other words, it is the name of something that isn't a physical object, such as a process, technique or emotion.

名词化是一种抽象名词。(这是简单的英语吗?)换句话说，它是一些非物理对象的名称，比如过程、技术或情感。

Nominalisations are formed from verbs.

名词化来源于动词

For example:

Verb|Nominalisation
---| ---|
complete|completion
introduce|introduction
provide|provision
fail|failure
arrange|arrangement
investigate|investigation

**So what's wrong with them?**
The problem is that often they are used instead of the verbs they come from. And because they are merely the names of things, they sound as if nothing is actually happening in the sentence. Like passive verbs, too many of them make writing very dull and heavy-going.

问题是，名词化的词常被用来替代原本表示它们的动词。因为它们仅仅是事物的名称，听起来好像句子里什么也没有发生。像被动动词一样，太多的被动动词会使写作变得枯燥乏味。

Here are some examples：

We had a discussion about the matter.
我们对此事进行了讨论。

**We discussed the matter.**
我们讨论了此事。

There will be a stoppage of trains by drivers.
火车将被司机停下。

**Drivers will stop the trains.**
司机将停下火车。

The implementation of the method has been done by a team.
该方法的实现是由一个团队完成的。

**A team has implemented the method.**
一个团队已经实现了这个方法。

## Use lists where appropriate
Lists are excellent for splitting information up.
列表非常适合拆分信息。

There are two main types of list.
列表有两种主要类型。

- A list that is a continuous sentence with several listed points picked out at the beginning, middle or end.

在开头、中间或结尾列出几个要点的连续句子。

- A list of separate points with an introductory statement (like this list).
一个带有介绍性陈述的独立观点列表(像这个列表)。

In the list above, each point is a complete sentence so they each start with a capital letter and end with a full stop.
在上面的列表中，每一点都是一个完整的句子，所以它们都以一个大写字母开始，以一个句号结束。

With a list that is part of a continuous sentence, put semicolons (;) after each point and start each with a lower-case letter.
对于作为连续句子一部分的列表，将分号（;）放在每个点之后，并以小写字母开头。

**If you can prove that:**
如果你能证明
- you were somewhere else at the time;
- 您当时在其他地方；
- you were not related to Mary; and
- 你和玛丽没有关系；
- you are over 21;
您已超过21岁；
**you should be all right**
你应该会没事的

As you can see, the next to last point has 'and' after the semicolon. If you only had to prove one of the three points instead of all of them, this word would be 'or'.
如你所见，在分号后面的最后一点有“and”。如果你只需要证明其中一点而不是全部，那么这个单词就是or。

Make sure each point follows logically and grammatically from the introduction. For example, if you took out 'you' from the second and third points it would still flow as a normal sentence but not as a list. The introductory line and the third point would then read, 'If you can prove that are over 21', which obviously does not make sense.

确保每一点在逻辑上和语法上与引言一致。例如，如果你从第二和第三个句子中去掉“you”，它仍然是一个正常的句子，而不是一个列表。介绍性的句子和第三点应该是“如果你能证明自己超过21岁”，这显然是没有意义的。

For a list of short points, it is better to set it out in one of the following ways.
对于一个简短的要点列表，最好以下列方式之一列出。

**Kevin needed to take the following.**

- A penknife
- Some string
- A pad of paper
- A pen

**Kevin needed to take:**

- a penknife
- some string
- a pad of paper; 
- a pen.

You should use bullet points in lists. These are better than numbers or letters as they draw your attention to each point without giving you extra information to take in.
你应该在列表中使用要点。这些比数字或字母更好，因为它们能把你的注意力吸引到每一点上，而不会给你额外的信息。

## Apologising
If you are replying to a tricky letter or a complaint, or are dealing with a difficult problem, put yourself in the reader's shoes. Be professional, not emotional. You may have to give a firm, unwelcome answer, but be as helpful and polite as possible. If you are going to apologise, do so early. If the problem is your fault, say so. Apologise completely and concisely, sympathetically and sincerely. And whether it is your fault or not, try to emphasise what you can do for the other person.
如果你在回复一封刁钻的信件或投诉，或在处理一个棘手的问题，你要设身处地地为读者着想。要专业，不要情绪化。你可能不得不给出一个坚定的、不受欢迎的回答，但要尽可能地提供帮助和礼貌。如果你要道歉，那就早点道歉。如果问题是你的错，就说出来。彻底、简洁、同情、真诚地道歉。不管是不是你的错，试着强调你能为对方做什么。

## Myths
We're not trying to be trendy here by breaking grammatical rules. We're just going to destroy some of the grammatical myths.
我们打破语法规则并不是为了赶时髦。我们只是要打破一些语法上的神话。

- You can start a sentence with **and, but, because, so** or **however**.

你可以用and, but, because, so或however来开头一个句子

- You can split infinitives. So you can say **to boldly go**.

您可以分割不定式。 因此，您可以说大胆地去。

- You can end a sentence with a preposition. In fact, it is something **we should stand up for.**

你可以用介词结束一个句子。事实上，这是我们应该维护的东西。

- And **you** can use the same **word** twice in a sentence if **you** can't find a better **word**.

如果你找不到更好的词，你可以在一个句子里用同一个词两次。

Of course, this does not mean you should break these so-called rules all the time - just when they make a sentence flow better.
当然，这并不意味着你应该一直打破这些所谓的规则——只是当它们使句子流畅性更好的时候。

## Summary
- **Stop and think** before you start writing. Make a note of the points you want to make in a logical order.

开始写作之前，先停下来想一想。 请按照逻辑顺序记下要提出的要点。

- **Prefer short words**. Long words will not impress your customers or help your writing style.

最好使用简短的单词。 冗长的文字不会打动您的客户或改善您的写作风格。

- **Use everyday English** whenever possible. Avoid jargon and legalistic words, and always explain any technical terms you have to use.

尽可能使用日常英语。避免行话和法律术语，并解释任何你必须使用的技术术语。

- **Keep your sentence length down** to an average of 15 to 20 words. Try to stick to one main idea in a sentence.

将你的句子长度控制在15到20个单词。尽量坚持一个句子的中心思想。

- **Use active verbs as much as possible**. Say ‘we will do it’ rather than ‘it will be done by us’.

尽可能多地使用主动动词。说“我们会做”，而不是“我们会做”。

- **Be concise**.

简明

- **Imagine you are talking to your reader**. Write sincerely, personally, in a style that is suitable and with the right tone of voice.

想象你正在和你的读者交谈。真诚地、亲力亲为地写信，用合适的风格和正确的语气。

- **And always check that your writing is clear, helpful, human and polite**.

经常检查你的书写是否清晰、有帮助、人性化和礼貌。

## Words to avoid
Try to use the alternatives we suggest in brackets.
尝试使用括号中建议的词语

additional (extra)
advise (tell)
applicant (you)
commence (start)
complete (fill in)
comply with (keep to)
consequently (so)
ensure (make sure)
forward (send)
in accordance with (under, keeping to)
in excess of (more than)
in respect of (for)
in the event of (if)
on receipt (when we/you get)
on request (if you ask)
particulars (details)
per annum (a year)
persons (people)
prior to (before)
purchase (buy)
regarding (about)
should you wish (if you want)
terminate (end)
whilst (while)

These are just a few suggestions. We have a much more comprehensive A-Z available.
这些只是一些建议。我们有更全面的a - z。

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Last modification：September 4th, 2020 at 10:40 pm

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如何用简明英语写作

liypoi • 2020 年 09 月 04 日

# 如何用简明英语写作

[原文](http://www.plainenglish.co.uk/how-to-write-in-plain-english.html)

## So what's plain English
那么什么是通俗英语呢？

First let's say what plain English isn't and destroy some of the myths about it.

首先，让我们说说简单英语不是什么，并打破一些关于它的迷思。

这不是“猫坐在垫子上”或“珍妮特和约翰”的文字。几乎所有内容-从传单和信件到法律文件-都可以用朴素的英语书写，而不会显得傲慢或简化。

- It doesn't mean reducing the length of your message or changing its meaning. Most of the UK's biggest insurance companies produce policies that explain everything fully in plain English.

这并不意味着要缩短信息的长度或改变其意义。英国多数大型保险公司制定的保单，都会用通俗易懂的语言解释一切。

- It's not about banning new words, killing off long words or promoting completely perfect grammar. Nor is it about letting grammar slip.

它不是关于禁止新单词，消灭长单词或提倡完全完美的语法。也不是让语法出错。

- It is not an amateur's method of communication. Most forward-looking senior managers always write in plain English.

这不是业余爱好者的交流方式。 大多数具有远见的高级管理人员总是用朴素的英语写作。

- And finally, it is not as easy as we would like to think.

最后，这并不像我们想的那么简单。

But in the last few years, many of these offenders have started to put things right, either rewriting their documents clearly or training their staff in the art of plain English, or both.

但在过去几年里，许多违法者开始纠正错误，要么将文件重写得清清楚楚，要么对员工进行简明英语的培训，或者两者兼而有之。

The main advantages of plain English are

简明英语的主要优点是

it is faster to write;

写起来更快

it is faster to read;

读取速度更快

and you get your message across more often, more easily and in a friendlier way.

您可以更频繁，更轻松，更友好地传达信息。

If you spend more than an hour a day writing, you are to an extent a professional writer. So it's vital that you get it right.

如果你每天花一个小时以上的时间写作，你就在一定程度上是个职业作家了。所以，正确的选择是至关重要的。

So what is plain English? It is a message, written with the reader in mind and with the right tone of voice, that is clear and concise.

那么什么是简明英语呢?它是一种信息，写的时候要考虑到读者的感受，并且要用正确的语气，这是一种清晰而简洁的信息。

## Keep your sentences short
Most experts would agree that clear writing should have an average sentence length of 15 to 20 words.

大多数专家都认为，清晰的书写应该是15到20个单词的平均句子长度。

However, at first you may still find yourself writing the odd long sentence, especially when trying to explain a complicated point. But most long sentences can be broken up in some way.

然而，一开始你还是会发现自己在写奇怪的长句子，尤其是当你试图解释一个复杂的观点时。但是大多数长句子都可以以某种方式分解。

## Prefer active verbs
Do you want your letters to sound active or passive - crisp and professional or stuffy and bureaucratic?

你希望你的信件听起来是主动的还是被动的——干脆、专业还是沉闷、官僚?

To explain the difference between active and passive verbs, we need to look briefly at how a sentence fits together. There are three main parts to almost every sentence:

为了解释主动和被动动词的区别，我们需要简单地看一下一个句子是如何组合在一起的。几乎每个句子都有三个主要部分：

- a **subject** (the person, group or thing doing the action);

主体(做动作的人、团体或事物)

- a **verb** (the action itself);

动词(动作本身)

- an **object** (the person, group or thing that the action is done to).

一个对象(人、组或被动作所做的事)。

To give an example, in the sentence 'Peter watched the television':

举个例子，在“彼得看电视”一句中：

- the **subject** is Peter (he is doing the watching);

主题是彼得（他正在观看）

- the **verb** is watched

动词是watching

the **object** is the television (it is being watched).

对象是电视（正在观看）。

当然，通常也会有很多其他的单词。例如:“彼得，13号的男孩，每周五晚上看电视。”但是主语，动词和宾语还在。

“观看”在这里是一个主动动词。 在说出正在观看的内容之前，这句话说谁在看。

Remember that the subject is not always a person and the object is not always a thing! 'The tree crushed Peter' is active but 'Peter was crushed by the tree' is passive.

请记住，主题并不总是一个人，而对象也不总是一个东西！ “树木被彼得击碎”是主动的，但“彼得被树木击碎”是被动的。

Here are some more examples of how to turn a passive verb into an active verb.

这里还有一些如何把被动动词变成主动动词的例子。

This matter will be considered by us shortly. (Passive)

我们将很快考虑此事。

**We will consider this matter shortly. (Active)**

我们会很快考虑这件事。(主动)

The riot was stopped by the police. (Passive)

骚乱被警察制止了。(被动)

**The police stopped the riot. (Active)**

警察制止了骚乱。

The mine had to be closed by the authority. (Passive)

当局不得不关闭矿井。(被动)

**The authority had to close the mine. (Active)**

当局不得不关闭矿井。(主动)

Passive verbs cause several problems.

被动动词会引起几个问题。

- They can be confusing.

他们可能会造成混乱。

- They often make writing more long-winded.

他们常常使写作变得冗长。

- They make writing less lively.

他们使写作变得不那么生动。

## Good uses of passives
正确使用被动语态

There are times of course when it might be appropriate to use a passive.

当然，有些时候使用被动语态是合适的。

- When you don't know who or what the doer is - 'the England team has been picked'.
当你不知道谁或做什么的时候-“英格兰队被选中了”。

- If it simply sounds better.
如果只是听起来更好的话。

But aim to make about 80 to 90% of your verbs active.

但是你的目标是让80%到90%的动词是主动的。

This difference between active and passive verbs is not easy to grasp. Some people never really get it. So if you are confused, read this section again.

主动和被动动词之间的这种区别是不容易掌握的。有些人从来没有真正理解过。所以，如果你感到困惑，请再读一遍这部分。

## Use 'you' and 'we'

Here are some examples of this.

这里有一些例子：

Applicants must send us...
申请人必须发送给我们...

**You must send us...**
您必须发送给我们...

We always tell customers before we...
我们总是在告诉客户之前...

**We will tell you before we...**
我们会在您之前告诉您.

Advice is available from...
可以从...获得建议

**You can get advice from**
您可以从中获取建议

Similarly, always call your organisation 'we'. And there is nothing wrong with using 'we' and 'I' in the same letter.

同样，请始终将您的组织称为“我们”。 在同一字母中使用“我们”和“我”没有任何问题。

## Use words that are appropriate for the reader

When you are talking to your reader, say exactly what you mean, using the simplest words that fit. This does not necessarily mean only using simple words - just words that the reader will understand.

当你和你的读者交谈时，用最简单的词准确地表达你的意思。这并不一定意味着只使用简单的词——只使用读者能够理解的词。

At the end of this guide there is a list of a few of the words that we suggest you avoid. But for most words you will have to decide yourself whether they are suitable.

在本指南的最后，我们列出了一些我们建议你避免使用的单词。但对于大多数单词，你必须自己决定它们是否合适。

So in general, keep to everyday English whenever possible. And again, imagine talking to your reader across a table.

所以，一般来说，尽可能使用日常英语。再一次，想象一下坐在桌子对面和你的读者交谈。

## Don't be afraid to give instructions
不要害怕发号施令

Sit!

Brush your teeth.

Please send it to me.

These are all commands - officially called imperatives. They are the fastest and most direct way of giving someone instructions.

这些都是命令——正式称为命令。它们是给人指示的最快、最直接的方式。

However, if we asked a hardened bureaucrat to write these expressions, we would end up with something like the following.

然而，如果我们让一个强硬的官僚来写这些表达，我们会得到如下的结果。

Dogs are advised that they should sit down.

建议狗应该坐下。

Your teeth should be brushed.

您应该刷牙。

I should be grateful if you would send it to me.

如果您能寄给我，我将不胜感激。

Here are some examples of long-winded phrases and shorter versions that use commands.

下面是一些使用命令的冗长短语和简短版本的例子。

You should just think of it as a complete statement.
你应该把它看成一个完整的陈述。

**Just think of it as a complete statement.**
只需将其视为完整的声明即可

Writers should aim to be punchy.
作家应该坚定目标。

**Be punchy.**
更坚定

They should be split where suitable
他们应该在适当的地方分开

**Split them where suitable.**
在合适的地方把它们分开。

The last example is probably the worst because it uses a passive verb - 'should be split'. Unfortunately this is very common in instructions. For example

最后一个例子可能是最糟糕的，因为它使用了被动动词“should be split”。不幸的是，这在指令中很常见。例如：

The packet should be removed from the box. The contents should then be placed in the oven.
应从包装盒中取出包装袋。 然后将内容物放入烤箱。

**Remove the packet from the box. Then place the contents in the oven.**
把包从盒子里拿出来。然后把食物放入烤箱。

名词化是一种抽象名词。(这是简单的英语吗?)换句话说，它是一些非物理对象的名称，比如过程、技术或情感。

Nominalisations are formed from verbs.

名词化来源于动词

For example:

Verb|Nominalisation
---| ---|
complete|completion
introduce|introduction
provide|provision
fail|failure
arrange|arrangement
investigate|investigation

Here are some examples：

We had a discussion about the matter.
我们对此事进行了讨论。

**We discussed the matter.**
我们讨论了此事。

There will be a stoppage of trains by drivers.
火车将被司机停下。

**Drivers will stop the trains.**
司机将停下火车。

The implementation of the method has been done by a team.
该方法的实现是由一个团队完成的。

**A team has implemented the method.**
一个团队已经实现了这个方法。

## Use lists where appropriate
Lists are excellent for splitting information up.
列表非常适合拆分信息。

There are two main types of list.
列表有两种主要类型。

- A list that is a continuous sentence with several listed points picked out at the beginning, middle or end.

在开头、中间或结尾列出几个要点的连续句子。

- A list of separate points with an introductory statement (like this list).
一个带有介绍性陈述的独立观点列表(像这个列表)。

For a list of short points, it is better to set it out in one of the following ways.
对于一个简短的要点列表，最好以下列方式之一列出。

**Kevin needed to take the following.**

- A penknife
- Some string
- A pad of paper
- A pen

**Kevin needed to take:**

- a penknife
- some string
- a pad of paper; 
- a pen.

- You can start a sentence with **and, but, because, so** or **however**.

你可以用and, but, because, so或however来开头一个句子

- You can split infinitives. So you can say **to boldly go**.

您可以分割不定式。 因此，您可以说大胆地去。

- You can end a sentence with a preposition. In fact, it is something **we should stand up for.**

你可以用介词结束一个句子。事实上，这是我们应该维护的东西。

- And **you** can use the same **word** twice in a sentence if **you** can't find a better **word**.

如果你找不到更好的词，你可以在一个句子里用同一个词两次。

## Summary
- **Stop and think** before you start writing. Make a note of the points you want to make in a logical order.

开始写作之前，先停下来想一想。 请按照逻辑顺序记下要提出的要点。

- **Prefer short words**. Long words will not impress your customers or help your writing style.

最好使用简短的单词。 冗长的文字不会打动您的客户或改善您的写作风格。

- **Use everyday English** whenever possible. Avoid jargon and legalistic words, and always explain any technical terms you have to use.

尽可能使用日常英语。避免行话和法律术语，并解释任何你必须使用的技术术语。

- **Keep your sentence length down** to an average of 15 to 20 words. Try to stick to one main idea in a sentence.

将你的句子长度控制在15到20个单词。尽量坚持一个句子的中心思想。

- **Use active verbs as much as possible**. Say ‘we will do it’ rather than ‘it will be done by us’.

尽可能多地使用主动动词。说“我们会做”，而不是“我们会做”。

- **Be concise**.

简明

- **Imagine you are talking to your reader**. Write sincerely, personally, in a style that is suitable and with the right tone of voice.

想象你正在和你的读者交谈。真诚地、亲力亲为地写信，用合适的风格和正确的语气。

- **And always check that your writing is clear, helpful, human and polite**.

经常检查你的书写是否清晰、有帮助、人性化和礼貌。

## Words to avoid
Try to use the alternatives we suggest in brackets.
尝试使用括号中建议的词语

These are just a few suggestions. We have a much more comprehensive A-Z available.
这些只是一些建议。我们有更全面的a - z。

版权属于：Liy
本文链接：https://liypoi.top/index.php/archives/158/
所有原创文章采用知识共享署名-非商业性使用 4.0 国际许可协议进行许可。您可以自由的转载和修改，但请务必注明文章来源并且不可用于商业目的。

如何用简明英语写作

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