小e时常在后台收到一些人的哭诉，努力写好了论文，结果却超出期刊的字数限制，不论再怎么修改内容都无法符合规定，甚至再改下去就会影响到要传达的研究重点，这时候该怎么办呢？
一般我会建议，如果内容已经无法再精简，那就试试从语言方面下手。
许多母语非英文的作者都会觉得把文章写的简洁有力非常困难，因为他们找不到适合的词来替代短句。
事实上，遵守字数限制对以母语非英文的作者来说也极具挑战，因为他们总是有很多话想说，很难把握维持简短的要求。
写作时，要尽量保持内文简洁，在论文写完后，可以再回头看一遍，找出可以再精简的内容，这里有些小技巧可以帮助你。
简化引用文献叙述
以 there is a previous study on、it has been reported that 或其他类似的句型开头的句子通常都会引用一些文献，使得句子较累赘，可以将这些短语删除，仅留下引用文献。
示例
原文：It has been reported that the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease increases with age (Rogue et al., 2004). (17 字)
修改后：It has been reported that tThe incidence of Alzheimer’s disease increases with age (Rogue et al., 2004). (12 字)
将产品名称放进括号里
含有产品名称的句子，可以将产品名称放进括号里
示例
原文：The samples were analyzed on the ABC spectrophotometer (Zhejiang Scientific, Zhejiang, China) to determine the xyz values. (17 字)
修改后：The samples were analyzed on the ABC spectrophotometer to determine the xyz values (ABC spectrometer; Zhejiang Scientific, Zhejiang, China). (15 字)
动词名词化
将动词名词化能有效使句子变华丽，试着把这类的字找出来。以下例句借着把 diagnosis 替换成 diagnosed 将句子变短了。
示例
原文：A diagnosis of cancer was made on the basis of the findings. (12 字)
修改后：A diagnosis of cCancer was diagnosed made on the basis of the findings. (9 字)
避免直述统计相关性数据
在“结果”章节，避免用群组数据加上统计相关性，可以直接把数据放进括号里。
示例
原文：The protein level was 5 mg in Group A, while it was 3 mg in Group B, the difference being statistically significant (p < 0.05). (25 字)
修改后：The difference in the protein level was 5 mg in betweenGgroups A and B, while it was 3 mg in Group b, the difference being statisticallywas significant (5 mg vs. 3 mg, p < 0.05). (21 字)
删除多余的基本信息
检查是否能删除一些对读者来说理所当然的基本信息，作者通常在“介绍与讨论”部分以叙述性内容开头，虽说建构上下文很重要，但也许并不是很必要。
例如你在写有关 AIDS 的研究论文，不要用像 AIDS is a life-threatening disease.这样的句子开头。
赘 词
检查典型的赘词，用简洁的表述替代。以下提供一些范例：
示例
A number of - several
As a result - therefore
On the other hand - whereas
As a consequence of - owing to
善用英文语法中的“省略结构”
在英文文法里，可以用“省略结构”免去在一个句子里重复出现的动词。
示例
原文：Group A was given cyclosporine, Group B was given FK506, and Group C was given chlorambucil. (16 字)
修改后：Group A was given cyclosporine; Group B,was given FK506; and Group C,was given chlorambucil. (12 字)
好用的“连字符”
大部分像 MS Office 这样的软件将连字符号串联的字算成一个字，可以考虑多利用连字符。
示例
原文：After rehabilitation, the patients came to rely on themselves. (9 字)
修改后：After rehabilitation, the patients became self-reliantto rely on themselves (6 字)
适时使用主动语态
使用主动语态有时能减少字数。
示例
原文：Written informed consent was given by all patients. (8 字)
修改后：All patients gave Wwritten informed consent was given by all patients. (6 字)
避免使用 of 来表示所有格
示例
原文：Patients of Group 1 were followed up for 6 months, and those of Group 2, for 12 months. (18 字)
修改后：Patients of Group 1 patients were followed up for 6 months, whileandthose of Group 2 patientswere followed up, for 12 months. (15 字)
总 结
以上几个方法能在不改变内文的情况下通过英文修改大幅减少文章长度，不过减少字数总归不是件简单的事，需要来回读过几遍把能精简的部分找出来。
如果以上方法都不管用，你就要多费心神把内容整个看过，看看那个部分能删掉了。
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