Describing a process handout.doc

English for EngineersDescribing a process1. Explaining how something works: Active versus passiveExplaining how something works is similar to giving instructions in that they are usually simple sentences in the present tense. When describing a process of how something works, you may use two forms of writing: the active form and the passive form.Active formEngineers insert the drill string (drill bit, drill collars, drill pipe and Kelly) into the conductor pipe.Passive formThe drill string (drill bit, drill collars, drill pipe and Kelly) is inserted into the conductor pipe.The passive form of describing something is often used when, as in the example above, the one doing the action is not important. We are most of the time, interested in what is going on in the process and not what or who is doing it.A little grammarA sentence in the passive form always has a form of the verb to be followed by a past participle of an action verb. Example: “the mud is pumped down the borehole to cool the drill bit. The cuttings are returned to the surface by the mud circulation.” Note: the word get is sometimes used instead of the verb to be. Example: “the mud gets pumped down the borehole.”, “the petals get weighed before being put into 50 kg vats.” Note also that got is not normally used in the passive.Note: It is not recommended to use the passive form of sentences in most writing situations. Use it only when you have a reason to such as when describing a process where the doer of the action is unknown, common and not necessary or when you want to emphasize the action done on the object.A. Example description of a process and the passive formChanel No.5 is the worlds best selling perfume Its main ingredients are roses, jasmine and musk. On the Chanel farm, the flowers are picked and the petals are put into sacks. Then, within half an hour, they are transported to the production plant. At the plant, the petals are weighed and then they are put into 50 kg vats. Next, an extraction solvent is added. The petals are washed three times in this solution so that the natural oils and resins come out.Eventually, the flowers are removed from the vats and the remaining solvent is evaporated. This leaves a solid material known as the concrete, which can be stored for several years until the perfume is required.B. An example of mixed active and passive forms of writingHere is an article related to the oil industry. The article uses both active forms and passive forms. As you read the text, try and notice the two different forms. Make a note of each (active / passive). The answers are at the end of this paper .A drilling rig with its major components and related equipment.Spudding inSpudding in, or to spud a well, means to begin drilling operations. The drill string, consisting of a drill bit, drill collars, drill pipe, and kelly, is assembled and lowered into the conductor pipe. Drilling fluid, better known as drilling mud, is circulated through the kelly and the drill string by means of pipes and flexible hose connecting the drilling fluid or mud pumps and a swivel device attached to the upper end of the kelly. The swivel device enables drilling mud to be circulated while the kelly and drill string are rotated. The mud pump draws fluid from mud tanks or pits located nearby. The drilling mud passes through the kelly, drill pipe, drill collars, and drill bit. It is returned to the surface by means of the well bore and the conductor pipe where it is directed to a device called a shale shaker. The shale shaker separates the drill cuttings and solids from the drilling mud, which is returned to the mud tanks to be circulated again (as in the figure below). As the drill string is rotated in the well bore, the drill bit cuts into the rock. The drilling mud lubricates and cools the drill bit and drill string and carries the drill cuttings to the surface. Figure 23-A drilling-fluid (drilling-mud) system and the flow of fluids through the system.2. Describing the Water cycleExample description of a sequence of eventsHere is an example of the water cycle.As we know, water is stored in the sea, the lakes and the rivers. What happens is that the water evaporates from the sea and becomes invisible water vapours. The evaporation is caused by the suns heat. Then, the water vapours are carried by the wind to higher levels. This makes them cool and form into clouds. The clouds are also formed from the water vapours from the transpiration of the plants and trees. As the wind carries the clouds to even higher levels, they cool further, causing rain.We can now begin to see the cycle. The rain makes the water fall back to the ground. Some of that water falls back into the rivers, lakes and the sea and some of the water falls on the ground. The water from the rivers flow back to the sea and the ground water also flows back to the lakes, rivers and the sea through porous rocks lying on top of non-porous rocks.And so, the cycle starts again from the heat of the sun.3. Short exercise in the passive formRewrite the Sentences in the Passive voice.1. Scientists observed the tigers for six days.2. When we walked into the classroom, the teacher had already given the assignment.3. Some teachers cleaned up the teachers room.4. I think the students will have drunk most of the coffee by the time we arrive.5. People believe that San Francisco is a warm city.6. Many people visit Disneyland every year.7. Someone has washed the dishes.8. John needs to have someone fix his car.9. The United States will win the next World Cup.4. Extra Notes on using the passive formHere are some good reasons for using passive voice:1. Passive voice is often used when the subject (the doer of an action; the subject of an active verb) is obvious, unknown, or unnecessary:Oranges are grown in California. Toyotas are made in Japan. Her purse was stolen.2. Passive voice is often used when the agent is known, but the speaker/writer doesnt want to mention it:She was given bad advice. A mistake has been made.3. Passive voice is often used when the agent is very general such as people or somebody.English is spoken here. The door should be locked.4. Passive voice is often used when the speaker/writer wants to emphasize a result:Several thousand people were killed by the earthquake.5. If we wish to mention the doer of the action in a passive sentence, we add by at the end followed with the subject.The food usually gets brought here by the owner of the restaurant.Identification of the passive and active sentences in the Spudding in text (answers).Passive sentencesActive sentences The drill string is assembled and lowered into the conductor pipe. Drilling fluid is circul