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 observedOr found in your data:

----> Use past tense

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…”

Verb Tenses

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!

No: The enzyme was found to be the active agent catalyzing the reaction.

Yes: The enzyme catalyzed the reaction.

No: 6TM and 2TM channels have been shown to form tetramers.

Yes: 6TM and 2TM channels form tetramers.

No: An increased appetite was manifested by the rats.

Yes: The rats ate more food.

Use Active, not Passive Verbs!

Try reversing the order of clauses:

“The active voice is used by good writers.”

“Good writers use the active voice.”

passive

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 agreementExample: 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

Ref: V. McMillan

– Depends on (Dependent on)– Independent of– Associated with– Variation in– Similar to– Different from– Characteristic of– Compare with– Die of

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

• ClichesUse fresh writing!

Avoid cliches “these results were bound to happen.”

“The insects were like a plague!”

• HyperboleWrite 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