Enter

Hello everyone,

I would simply question first - does the following sentence sound fine or strange?

"In a study four patients were entered."

Perhaps this might be a similar question to the one I made yesterday, just single difference this time, 'enter' in passive form. A friend of mine told me this enter in passive form sometimes gives sense unintended meaning to a sentence - might not be appropriate for here - sorry. Even eliminating that sense, it sounds like patients were 'penetrated' by medical equipment or something... I felt bid awkward finding this form in an in-house translation document).

Up to now I looked through some publications online, and a lot say like "four patients were entered 'into (even onto) the study'". Perhaps there may be another meaning or accepted use I still have to learn as so many publications contain this word in passive tense - but when think carefully the verb I think it should be 'four patients entered the study' instead. 'Study was entered by four patients' might sound quite strange, though, doesn't it? Or perhaps needing 'into' after 'enter'. But if this is the case, what Jim taught me yesterday would apply to this case as well to say this is incorrect.

I would say, if the writer persists on describing this in passive form I would rather use 'enroll - four patients were enrolled in the study'. It's understandable to use passive form in this sense because usually clinical studies involve a set of screening to eliminate undesired subjects/patients and select desired ones for research purposes, therefore the intention may go to the fact that subjects/patients are in a position to be controlled but not voluntary situation (as to whether be permitted to participate in the study regardless of their willingness to do so).

As I said in the first line, I wonder if 'enter' in passive tense is acceptable use in consideration for all above... Thanks for everyone reading through this lengthy staff.


Regards
Souroin,