Summary
Strong scholarly writing requires precise verb forms, controlled syntax, appropriate vocabulary and clear communication. This guide examines why English infinitives should not be split, how to avoid overusing the passive voice, and why contractions and jargon weaken academic prose. It also explains how to use specialised terminology responsibly and how vocabulary choices influence the logic, clarity and credibility of research writing.
This fully expanded article provides practical strategies for improving sentence structure, refining tone, ensuring stylistic consistency and presenting complex ideas with accuracy. These skills are essential for producing polished, persuasive academic manuscripts that meet the expectations of editors, examiners and peer reviewers.
By mastering these principles, authors can elevate the quality of their scholarly prose and communicate their research with clarity, elegance and confidence.
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Writing Tips for Scholars: Split Infinitives, Passive Voice and Precision
Academic and scientific writing demands clarity, precision and disciplined sentence structure. Although modern English is flexible, scholarly prose is still expected to follow conventions that ensure professionalism and readability. Among these conventions is the long-debated rule that English infinitive verbs—structures beginning with to followed by the verb stem—should not be split. While everyday language frequently violates this rule, formal writing benefits from preserving the unity of the infinitive.
This article expands upon the rationale for avoiding split infinitives and discusses additional considerations that shape effective academic writing, including careful use of the passive voice, the avoidance of contractions, the responsible use of specialised terminology and the dangers of jargon. Together, these principles form a strong foundation for clear, persuasive scholarly communication.
1. Understanding English Infinitives and Why They Are Vulnerable to Splitting
The structure of English infinitives makes them unusually susceptible to disruption. Unlike many other languages, in which infinitives are expressed as a single word, the English infinitive consists of two elements—to + verb. For example, “to analyse,” “to write,” “to publish.” Linguistically, these two words function as one conceptual unit. When a writer inserts additional words between them, as in “to aggressively analyse” or “to successfully publish,” the result is a split infinitive.
While split infinitives are now widely used in spoken English and informal writing, they still cause stylistic problems in academic contexts. They can disrupt the rhythm of a sentence, create awkward phrasing and give an impression of informality or imprecision. They also distract careful readers, drawing attention to sentence structure instead of meaning.
For these reasons, maintaining the integrity of the infinitive is usually the better choice. Rewriting “to carefully evaluate” as “to evaluate carefully” eliminates the split without altering meaning.
2. Historical Resistance to Split Infinitives
The resistance to split infinitives originally emerged in the nineteenth century, when grammarians attempted to align English usage more closely with Latin. Because Latin infinitives cannot be split, early prescriptive grammarians argued that English infinitives should also remain intact. Although English and Latin differ significantly in structure, this traditional rule influenced editorial and academic standards for decades.
Over time, however, linguists have acknowledged that avoiding split infinitives is a matter of style rather than strict grammar. Today, many style guides accept split infinitives in moderation, especially when avoiding the split produces awkward or ambiguous language. Nevertheless, academic authors must exercise caution. Some readers remain firmly attached to traditional conventions, and even when a split infinitive is technically acceptable, its presence may weaken the perceived professionalism of the prose.
The safest approach is to avoid splitting infinitives unless a split genuinely improves clarity. In most cases, the sentence can be rephrased in a way that both avoids the split and enhances readability.
3. Practical Rewriting Techniques for Avoiding Split Infinitives
Avoiding split infinitives is often straightforward. Writers can simply shift the adverb to another part of the sentence. For example:
• “to rigorously determine” → “to determine rigorously”
• “to efficiently manage” → “to manage efficiently”
In more complex cases, rephrasing may require restructuring the entire sentence:
• “The researchers aimed to fully understand the mechanism.”
→ “The researchers aimed to understand the mechanism fully.”
• “The team tried to systematically record the data.”
→ “The team tried to record the data systematically.”
These revisions strengthen formality and clarity. If repositioning the adverb causes confusion or introduces unnatural phrasing, a split infinitive may be acceptable—but this should be an intentional choice, not an unexamined habit.
4. The Passive Voice: Useful but Often Overused
The passive voice is another feature of English that can obscure meaning when used excessively. Passive constructions often rely on more words than equivalent active forms and may hide the agent of the action. For example, “The data were analysed” provides less clarity than “We analysed the data.”
Many inexperienced authors assume that the passive voice sounds more scholarly. As a result, abstracts and introductions sometimes become saturated with passive constructions, making the writing vague, indirect or overly formal. Because abstracts often have strict word limits, using the passive voice can consume valuable space while offering little gain in precision.
Active constructions generally communicate more clearly and concisely. However, the passive voice can be appropriate when the agent is unknown, irrelevant or less important than the action itself. The goal is not to eliminate the passive voice entirely but to use it judiciously.
5. Why Contractions Do Not Belong in Academic Prose
Contractions—such as “didn’t,” “couldn’t,” “isn’t”—are common in speech and informal writing, but they weaken the formality expected of scholarly prose. In research articles, grant proposals, theses and dissertations, contractions signal informality and may be perceived as undermining the seriousness of the argument.
Expanding contractions strengthens the authoritative tone of the writing. “It doesn’t follow” becomes “It does not follow.” “The study wasn’t conclusive” becomes “The study was not conclusive.” These revisions preserve meaning while enhancing the professionalism of the text.
6. Choosing Vocabulary Carefully: Precision, Consistency and Control
Effective academic writing relies on precise vocabulary. Words chosen for effect, elegance or variety must never compromise clarity. Precision ensures that readers interpret arguments and results exactly as the author intends. Consistency ensures that terminology does not shift meaning across sections of a document. Together, these principles support accurate communication.
Variety is valuable for maintaining reader engagement, but it must be balanced with precision. In methodological descriptions, for instance, synonyms may create confusion. If “participants” suddenly become “subjects” or “respondents,” the reader may wonder whether these terms refer to different groups. Similarly, replacing precise words with vague or decorative alternatives weakens clarity.
Scholars should therefore prioritise exactness. A carefully chosen term repeated consistently is preferable to a wide array of loosely related synonyms.
7. Specialised Terminology: When and How to Use It
Specialised terminology is essential in academic writing because it conveys ideas precisely and efficiently. However, it must be used with care. Overuse of technical terms may overwhelm readers unfamiliar with them, while misuse may signal superficial understanding.
The best scholarly writing demonstrates not only mastery of terminology but also mastery of the concepts behind it. Authors should explain terms when there is any possibility of unfamiliarity. This explanation must be concise and neutral, avoiding unnecessary elaboration while ensuring comprehension.
Accuracy is essential. Using a specialised term incorrectly damages credibility and may lead reviewers to question the author’s command of the subject. When terminology is central to the argument, the writer must define it precisely and apply it consistently.
8. The Problem with Jargon in Academic Writing
Jargon differs from specialised terminology. While terminology clarifies, jargon often obscures. It may involve unnecessarily intricate vocabulary, convoluted syntax or vague abstractions. Instead of supporting meaning, jargon can turn prose into something difficult—if not impossible—for readers to interpret.
Because scholarly writing already deals with complex ideas, clarity is essential. Jargon-heavy prose multiplies the cognitive burden on readers, who may feel alienated or frustrated. Moreover, jargon may give the impression of intellectual pretension or a lack of genuine understanding.
Effective academic writing strives for clarity, not complexity for its own sake. Removing jargon often reveals a stronger, cleaner argument beneath.
Final Thoughts
Strong academic writing requires discipline, precision and thoughtful attention to linguistic detail. Avoiding split infinitives supports clarity and maintains traditional stylistic expectations. Using the active voice wherever possible strengthens sentence structure. Eliminating contractions preserves formality. Choosing vocabulary carefully ensures accuracy, and using specialised terminology responsibly demonstrates expertise without overwhelming readers. Finally, avoiding jargon helps ensure that complex ideas remain accessible.
Authors who apply these principles produce writing that communicates clearly and persuasively—qualities that increase the likelihood of success in peer review, publication, teaching and scholarly communication.
For researchers seeking expert support with grammar, structure and academic style, our journal article editing service and manuscript editing service can help ensure that your writing is polished, professional and publication-ready.
