Unit 3

Chemical Manufacturing Process

Writing Skill 1

Processes in Chemistry
The diagram below shows the chemical manufacturing process. As students, we often see
this type of diagram. However, sometimes when asked to explain it, we find many
difficulties. How is the structure? What tense do I use? What kinds of language do I use? These
questions will be answered in this unit.

Figure 1: The process of chemical manufacturing process

Source: https://chemicalprojects.wordpress.com/2013/12/15/the-anatomy-of-a-chemical-manufacturing-process/

Practice!
Look at the following sentences, identify and determine the verbs/tense.
1. The operator places the raw materials in the storage.
2. The operator examines the materials for preparation.
3. Then, the operator puts the materials in a machine for the reaction process.
From the tense used, what information does it provide?

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 Language Focus 2
There are two common ways to explain processes/steps and one of them has been given to you
above. Another way to explain processes/steps is to use the present passive.

Tense Active Passive

The operator places the raw The raw materials are placed
materials in the storage. by the operator in the storage.
Simple Present
The operator examines the materials The materials are examined by
for preparation. the operator for preparation.
Then, the operator puts the Then, the materials are put by
materials for the reaction process. the operator for the reaction
process.

So, when do we use passive?

We use the passive voice when the subject of the sentence is the receiver of the action.

Examples Explanation
The raw materials are placed by the operator Passive verb -> a form of be + past
in the storage. participle
The materials are examined by the operator
for preparation.
Then, the materials are put by the operator
for the reaction process.
subject verb object Compare active and passive. The
object of the active sentence (the raw
Active: The operator places the raw materials… materials) becomes the subject of the
passive sentence.

subject verb by agent If the agent of the action (the

person/thing that performs the action)
Passive: The raw materials are placed by the operator
is mentioned, it follows by.

However, in explaining a process is not simply just by making individual sentences. Therefore,
the process should be explained in a paragraph.

How to Write a Describing Process Paragraph 3

Example:
There are several steps in the chemical manufacturing process. Firstly, the raw materials are
placed in the storage. Following this, the raw materials are examined for preparation. Then,
the raw materials are put by the operator for the reaction process.

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 Tips:
 The first thing you have to do is write the overview. An overview is a sentence
stating what the process is about while also stating general information
 Furthermore, in order for the reader to be able to understand your writing, you
need to pay attention to the cohesion. Cohesion is shown from how the writing
makes sense in terms of order and word choice.

The overview in the example is indicated with the highlight while the words that are underlined
and bolded are the linking words. These words are very important for explaining the logical
sequence of a process. Below are some other linking words that you can use.

ADDING SEQUENCING
and Firstly
also Initially
as well as To begin with
moreover The first step
additionally
furthermore Secondly
Then
Next
Subsequently
Following this
After
Afterwards

Finally
Lastly
The last step

Practice!

A. Now, let’s look back at the process of chemical manufacturing and read the following
sample describing the process.

The Process of Chemical Manufacturing

The diagram shows the process of chemical manufacturing of a product. Overall, there
are several steps in making the materials before it is sold.
Firstly, the raw materials are placed in the storage. Following this, the raw materials
are examined for preparation. Then, the raw materials are put in a machine for the reaction
process. After it passes the reaction process to be the desired products, the products and
by-products are separated from any unreacted materials. To make them ready, the products
are purified to meet the standards. After that, the finished products are stored in the
inventory. Finally, the products are ready to be packaged and transported to then be sold
in the market. (115 Words)

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 Analysis and Tips
 As can be seen in the bolded words, this type of writing mostly uses passive (simple
present passive).

 As highlighted, linking words are also a useful tool to connect each different stages of
the process so that it is easier to follow and understand.

B. Writing Task: Explain the following process of manufacturing sulphuric acid.

Other Passive Form 4

As shown in the previous examples, processes/steps are always explained with the present
tense whether it is in the active or passive forms. However, there are other forms of passive
that are important to understand as it is a fundamental grammatical structure in academic
writing. The following information will explain the other passive forms.

Tense Active Passive

Simple Future They will pick the best movie. The best movie will be picked.
They are going to pick the best The best movie is going to be
movie. picked.

Simple Past They announced the winner’s The winner’s name was
name. announced
Present Perfect They have chosen the best movie. The best movie has been
chosen.
Modal You can see the movie on DVD. The movie can be seen on DVD.

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 Language Notes:
1. Both the active voice and the passive voice can be used with different tenses and with
modals. The tense of the passive sentence is shown in the verb be. Use the past participle
with every tense.
2. If two verbs in the passive voice ae connected with and, do not repeat be.
The Oscar ceremony is televised and seen by millions of people.

Examples Explanation
Before 1941, the winners’ names were An adverb can be placed between the
already known before the ceremony auxiliary verb and the main verb.
Today the winners are never announced
ahead of time.
Affirmative: The movie was filmed by the U.S. Observe affirmative statements, negative
Negative: It wasn’t filmed in Canada. statements, and questions with the passive
Yes/No Question: Was it filmed in Hollywood? voice. Never use do, does, or did with the
Short Answer: No, it wasn’t. passive voice.
WH-Question: Where was it filmed? (Wrong: The movie didn’t filmed in
Subject Question: Which movie was filmed in Canada)
Canada?
Active: She saw him Notice the difference in pronouns in an
active sentence and a passive sentence.
After by, the object pronoun is used.
Passive: He was seen by her

Active: They helped us

Passive: We were helped by them

However, not all active sentences can be changed into passive. You have to look at the verbs
and identify whether it is a transitive or intransitive verb.

Examples Explanation
Compare: Most active verbs are followed by an
verb object object. They can be used in the active and
passive voice. These verbs are called
Active: McCay created the first animated film transitive verbs.
Passive: The first animated film was created in
1914

verb object

Active: Walt Disney didn’t draw his cartoon

Passive: The movie was seen by the children

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Active Only: Some verbs have no object. We cannot use
Disney lived in Hollywood most of his life. the passive voice with these verbs:
He became famous when he created Mickey agree die look seem
Mouse arrive fall occur sleep
He worked with many artists. be go rain stay
What happened to the first Mickey Mouse become happen recover walk
cartoon? I’d like to see it. come live remain work
These are called intransitive verbs.

Practice!
A. Read the following sentences. Decide if the underlined verb is active (A) or passive (P).
Examples: The actress received an Oscar. A
The actress was given an Oscar. P
1. The actress wore a beautiful gown.
2. Halle Berry presented an Oscar.
3. The director has been nominated many times.
4. Old movies were filmed in black and white.
5. Hollywood has become the movie capital of the U.S.
6. Hollywood was built at the beginning of the twentieth century.

B. Direction: Change the active sentences into passive.

1. Shakespeare wrote that play.
________________________________________________________________________
2. Bill will invite Ann to the party.
________________________________________________________________________
3. Waitresses and waiters serve customers.
________________________________________________________________________
4. Shirley has suggested a new idea.
________________________________________________________________________
5. Alice didn’t make that pie. Did Mrs. French make it?
________________________________________________________________________
6. Does Prof. Jackson teach that course? I know that Prof. Adams doesn’t teach it.
________________________________________________________________________
7. His tricks didn’t fool me.
________________________________________________________________________
8. He can watch the event through live stream.
________________________________________________________________________

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C. Direction: Change into passive if possible. Some verbs are intransitive.
1. A strange thing happened yesterday.
________________________________________________________________________
2. Jackson scored the winning goal.
________________________________________________________________________
3. I agree with Dr. Ikeda’s theory.
________________________________________________________________________
4. Dr. Ikeda developed that theory.
________________________________________________________________________
5. Timmy dropped the cap.
________________________________________________________________________
6. The assistant manager interviewed me.
________________________________________________________________________
7. A hurricane destroyed the small fishing village.
________________________________________________________________________
8. The cups fell to the floor.
________________________________________________________________________
9. Dinosaurs existed millions of years ago.
________________________________________________________________________
10. The solution to my problem appeared to me in my dreams.
________________________________________________________________________

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