Transcript New information = what you observed

Grammar
How can I express myself correctly?
A. Verb Tenses
B. Active vs. Passive Verbs
C. Pronouns
D. Correct Sentences
E. Word Usage
F. Things to Avoid
G. Numerals or Words?
Verb Tenses
1. Published, accepted facts:
----> Use present tense
“Cyclins are essential for cell cycle regulation.”
• New information, what you observed
Or found in your data:
----> Use past tense
Verb Tenses
New information = what you observed:
In Results & Discussion ----> Past Tense
“We observed a significant increase in transcription
after drug treatment.”
In Introduction & Abstract ---> Past Tense
“We examined the phenotype of the cdk2 mutant by…”
In Methods
i. Actions ---> Past Tense
“We collected samples every hour for 2 weeks.”
ii. Permanent qualities ---> Present Tense
“The ST513 plasmid has an EcoR1 site…”
Active vs. Passive Voice
Passive: The action described by the verb is
done to the subject.
“The ball was kicked by Juan Carlos.”
Active: The subject does the action described
by the verb.
“Juan Carlos kicked the ball.”
Use the active voice wherever possible!
Use Active, not Passive Verbs!
No:
Yes:
No:
Yes:
No:
Yes:
The enzyme was found to be the
active agent catalyzing the reaction.
The enzyme catalyzed the reaction.
6TM and 2TM channels have been
shown to form tetramers.
6TM and 2TM channels form tetramers.
An increased appetite was manifested
by the rats.
The rats ate more food.
Try reversing the order of clauses:
passive
“The active voice is used by good writers.”
“Good writers use the active voice.”
active
Clear Pronouns
Be sure your pronouns are unambiguous!
“There are several differences between
microtubules and actin filaments;
?
?
first, they are larger….”
Which is larger?
Correct Sentences
(A) A preposition is a poor word to end a sentence
with.
Better: A preposition is a poor word with which to end a
sentence.
(B) Subject/Verb agreement
Example: Verbs has have to agree with their subject.
Note: Data ARE plural. Datum IS singular. Though the word
data is commonly used as singular.
Ref. R. Day
Correct Sentences
(C) Complete sentences have a subject and a
verb.
INCORRECT: Not to use sentence fragments.
CORRECT: You should be careful not to use sentence
fragments.
Correct Sentences
(D) Sentence Order: Put words and clauses
together in a way that makes sense!
Bad example: Lying on top of the small intestine, you will
perhaps see a small transparent thread.
Sounds like YOU are lying on top of the small intestine!
CORRECT: You will perhaps see a small, transparent
thread lying on top of the small intestine.
Ref. R. Day
Word Usage: Beware!
Word
Remember
Using
Be careful! Be aware of what the word “using” is
modifying: “Isolation of antigens from monkeys using
complement-fixation techniques…” Problem: Sounds
like the monkeys are using these techniques!
Significant
Should only be used with statistics. Otherwise, use
important, marked, noteworthy, substantial.
Few/Less
“Few” refers to units, or persons that can be counted.
“Less” refers to quantities of mass or volume.
Effect = a NOUN
Temperature has an effect on the reaction.
Affect = a VERB
Temperature affects the reaction.
Word Usage:
Prepositions
– Depends on (Dependent on)
– Independent of
– Associated with
– Variation in
– Similar to
– Different from
– Characteristic of
– Compare with
– Die of
Ref: V. McMillan
Avoid!
• Do not use no double negatives never
Careful! This might be different from Spanish.
• Avoid euphemisms. Be direct.
passed away = died
sacrificed = euthanized
Avoid:
Imprecise Writing
• Cliches
Use fresh writing!
Avoid cliches “these results were bound to happen.”
“The insects were like a plague!”
• Hyperbole
Write accurately!
Do not use hyperbole, like every single writer
does.
Informalities to Avoid!
• Contractions
• aren’t  are not
• can’t -> can not
• didn’t  did not
• isn’t  is not
• weren’t  were not
• wasn’t  was not
• The words “clearly” and “obviously”
• “Etc.” as an abbreviation for the word
etcetera is too vague for scientific writing
• “And so on” is also considered vague
Numerals or words?
“5” or “five”?
• For values of one through nine, use words.
– “Only three samples demonstrated the
presence of viral DNA.”
• Use # s when referring to values ≥ 10
– “There were 14 different polymorphisms.”
Ref: V. McMillan
Numerals or words?
• Exceptions:
– Do not begin a sentence with a numeral.
Write out the word or reorder the sentence.
“Twelve PCR reactions were performed.”
OR“We performed 12 PCR reactions.”
– Reporting percentages: (0 to 14%)
– Reporting units of measurement: (4 ml, 5 days)
– Referring to tables, figures, pages:
(Figure 2, Table 3, page 12)
Ref: V. McMillan