A Corpus-driven Study on the Use of Passive Verb Bundles in Academic Writing: A Comparison between L1 and L2 English Speakers

Lexical bundles studies are still limited in relation to the use of verb phrase-based bundles, specifically passive forms academic writing. This study reveals lexico-grammatical patterns and functional categories 409,373-word Malaysian Polytechnics Electronic Engineering Learner Corpus (MyPolyEELC) comparison British Academic Written English (BAWE) 29,530-word sub-corpus. The Sketch Engine lexical computing tool is used analyse both L2 L1 learner Biber et al.’s (1999) structural framework employed identify verb-phrase further locate forms, whereas identified through Hyland’s (2008a) framework. Francis (1996) pattern analysis meaning groups bundles. analyses indicate several corpora. learners disclose participant-oriented functions bundles’ use, which contrary who display profound ‘engagement’ ‘stance’ choices verbs. findings also show inter-relation between group, category. inter-relationship illustrates that group motivates or vice versa, contributes identification category based on a larger context text. variations discovered writing may offer corpus-related pedagogical practices be applied an EAP classroom.