A quick guide to scientific writing

Part 1

Commonly confused words

Meet Harold.

HAROLD’S SUDDEN DOUBT

Don’t worry, Harold.

Here’s a quick guide to some commonly confused words in scientific writing. This will help you avoid making these mistakes and choose the most appropriate word.

Harold, pay attention to the

simplest of words. It is essential

for you use the right words to

convey your ideas. After all, this

is a scientific manuscript.

Have I used the right words?

I wonder…

He’s about to submit his scientific research manuscript to a journal. Just as he finishes, he remembers the advice of a senior colleague.

3

SOME WORDS THAT ARE OFTEN MISUSED BY AUTHORS

1. Namely | Such as | Including 6. Show | Reveal | Indicate

2. e.g. | i.e. | Namely 7. Alternate | Alternative

3. Almost | Nearly 8. Number | Amount

4. About | Around | Approximately 9. Hypothesis | Theory

5. A number of | The number of 10. As a result | Based on the results

Each of these words indicates an elaboration of items,

but the type of elaboration differs.

namely such as including

Perhaps a few more examples will help Harold understand the differences better.

Here’s an example:

“Fast food items such as burgers, fries, and aerated drinks are high on fat and sugar but low on nutrition.”

Such as is used before some examples of fast food. The fast food menu is known to contain several items.

1.

Namely an exhaustive list of all itemsSuch as – representative examples of some items

Including – listing a few items (there are more)

“Various types of pesticides, such as bactericides, fungicides, and larvicides, were tested.”

indicates some examples of pesticides that were tested; other types were tested

“Three types of pesticides were tested, namely, bactericides, fungicides, and larvicides.”

used before all three types of pesticides studied

“Different types of pesticides, including bactericides, fungicides, and larvicides, were tested.”

used before some examples of pesticides

namely such as including

e.g. namelyi.e.

e.g. = for example“A number of weather variables were recorded, e.g., precipitation,

temperature, and relative humidity.”The term variables is explained by giving three examples; perhaps, evaporation and the intensity of radiation were also recorded.

i.e. = in other words – separates two versions of the same statement“Data on precipitation, i.e., rainfall and snowfall, were collected from local

weather offices.”Here, i.e. explains the term precipitation by stating that it means rain and snowfall.

namely = an exhaustive list of all items/members of a group“The present paper evaluates the effect of major weather variables, namely,

precipitation, temperature, and relative humidity, on crop growth.”Namely introduces all the weather variables evaluated.

2.

almost nearlyDo not differ so much in meaning but in the contexts in which they are used.

Almost Nearly

Typically followed by Typically followed by a number

– adverbs (almost certainly) (nearly 2000 fans)

– adjectives (almost impossible)

– pronouns (almost anything)

– prepositions (almost by definition)

Let us look at some more examples

Almost Nearly

“It is almost 3:00 pm.”

Very close to 3:00 pm, maybe 2:55

“It is nearly 3:00 pm.”

Perhaps, it is 2:40 pm

Never used with a negative

“Drug A is almost as effective as Drug B.”

“Drug A is not almost as effective as Drug B.”

Can be used with a negative

“Drug B is not nearly as effective as Drug A.”

3.

Harold, you are not alone.

Many researchers get confused about these words and phrases.

Let’s try understanding them better.

Whoa! I didn’t know about these differences? What about around, about, and approximately?

I also often get confused between a number of and the number of.

around approximatelyabout

Around – sometimes more precise than “about”

Approximately – used to indicate a close estimate

Have similar meanings when used with numbers Usage depends on context

About may be more common in British English and around in American English

“Each plot contained about 17 trees.” (an estimate, not precise)

“You are expected to reach home around 7:00 pm.” (between 6:45 and 7:15; more accurate than “around”)

“According to autopsy reports, the victim was murdered approximately 10 hours ago.” (a fairly accurate estimate)

About – A rough indication of the number

4.

a number of the number of

• Indicates more than one of something (several)

• Always followed by plural forms

“A number of skyscrapers were visible in the distance.”

(to indicate severalskyscrapers, were is used)

• Indicates the exact number that makes up a collection or a group

• Always followed by a plural noun and a singular verb

“The number of skyscrapers in the city is 225.”

(the exact number is 225)

5.

reveal indicateshow

Each talks about a data source. Each is commonly used with figures, tables, or graphs.

Show

Indicate

Reveal

The conclusion is obvious from the data; no interpretation is required.

The conclusion is not obvious but requires some thinking on part of the reader.

The data leads you to suspect something but you can’t be sure.

“Table 1 shows that the number of women in academia increased only marginally from 1996 to 2014.”

“The high frequency of tremors recorded reveals that the island is on the brink of a major tectonic shift.”

“Previous studies have indicated a positive correlation between placebos and mood swings.”

6.

12

alternate alternative

• An option that replaces another option

“We had to choose an alternate route because of the roadwork on Elm street.”

• Two possibilities only one of which can occur at a given time

“My career coach has scheduled a session with me every alternate day beginning Monday.” (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)

• A second option

“There is no temporary alternative to the current job freeze in the market.”

• Options or choices

“The sun and the wind are alternative sources of energy.”

TIP: There is a slight difference in the way these words are used in American and British English. Check the language style your target journal follows and refer to a good dictionary to use the preferred word.

7.

13

number | amount

NUMBER

Used with quantities that can be measured/counted, like samples, people, jobs

“The study took several years to complete because it involved a large number of specimens.”

AMOUNT

Used with quantities that cannot be measured/counted, like money, information, time

“The experimental group was allowed to regulate the amount of sugar each recipe should contain.”

The most common mix-up occurs when authors use “number” instead of “amount.”

“The amount of people who still believe in gender stereotypes is surprisingly large.”

“The number of people who still believe in gender stereotypes is surprisingly large.”

People is a countable noun; therefore, number should be used.

8.

14

• Explains how things work

• A speculative guess that has yet to be tested

• Based on limited data

“My hypothesis is that single medical practitioners in their 30s are more likely to be single adoptive parents.”

Further study is required to prove this right or wrong.

• Explains general principles of phenomena

• Has been extensively tested and is generally accepted

• Strongly backed by data

“Einstein’s theory of relativityhas been tested and results verify his conclusion.”

The theory is still being tested: a single piece of negative evidence can disprove it.

hypothesis9. theory

15

as a result based on the results

As a result

Means “because of”; used when one event is the cause of another

“The results of the experiment were inconclusive. As a result, the research had to be repeated.”

Because the results were inconclusive, the research had to be conducted again.

Based on the results

Refers to inferences drawn from results

“Based on the results of the experiment, we concluded that bats are nocturnal creatures.”

The results of the experiment indicated that bats are nocturnal.

10.

DID YOU FIND THIS HELPFUL, HAROLD?

Thanks! These tips certainly helped me correct a few word choice mistakes in my scientific manuscript. I feel more

confident about my writing.

Wait a minute. I have an idea! I will regularly read scientific literature in my field to understand the right vocabulary

and writing style to be used.

Harold, we hope these tips helped you understand the nuances of some commonly used (or misused) words in scientific writing. You can always refer to a dictionary if you are confused.

Why, Harold, that’s a great idea! Go for it!

Have more questions on scientific writing or the publication process?

Ask our publication expert Dr. Eddy!

Visit: www.editage.com/insights/ask-dr-eddy

For more resources on manuscript preparation, submission, and publication, visit

www.editage.com/insights

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