2 Choose the best verb from В or С to complete these sentences. Put the verb into the correct form. As can ………………… from Table II, participation figures have been steadily falling since 1970.
Different authors have ……………………….. for the President's actions in different ways.
Mendel attempted to devise a system for …………………………. the many different types of pea ………………………. plant that he grew.
It is often most effective ………………………… your data in a chart or table.
The data we have collected ………………………. that there has been a downward trend with regard to job satisfaction over the last 50 years.
The aim of the research is ……………………. a new software application which will help aviation engineers design more sophisticated aircraft.
The archaeologists should be able to use carbon dating techniques ………………. exactly how old the bones are.
Charles Darwin attempted ……………….. the existence of different species in terms of evolution.
3 In academic style, noun phrases can often be used instead of some of the key verbs. Complete each phrase with the appropriate noun. Use a dictionary if necessary.
1 investigate = conduct, carry out an …………….. into/of
2 illustrate = provide an ……………of
3 analyse = provide, carry out an ……………...of
4 affect = have an ……………………. on
5 attempt = make an …………………. to/at
6 classify = make, provide a ……………… of
Verbs and the Words
A How verbs combine with other words You should note a number of things about verbs in an academic context, in particular:
any nouns often used with the verb and whether the noun goes before or after the verb, for example, the research/theory is based on, to pose a problem/question/threat
any adverbs often used with the verb, for example, mainly/partly/loosely based
any prepositions following the verb, for example, to base something on something else
if the verb is often used in the passive, for example, be based on, be associated with.
verb
nouns
adverbs
examples
base (on)
research, theory, story, hypothesis
mainly, partly loosely
The story was loosely based on a true event which occurred in 1892.The theory is mainly based on the writer's initial study.