(r7) Barrick Lab :: SubtleGrammar

---+ Subtle Grammatical Usage Notes

aka Common mistakes when writing scientific papers and grants.

---++ Usage
   * *Alternate / Alternative* <br> *Alternate* means "every other one" in a series. *Alternative* means "another option". (REL)
   * *Bacteriophage / Bacteriophages* <br> Even though it sounds strange, the plural of *bacteriophage* is really *bacteriophages*.
   * *By Contrast / In Contrast* <br> Use *By contrast* when the next word is a noun. Use *In contrast* when followed by a preposition such as "with" or "to". (REL)
   * *Complimentary / Complementary* <br> *Complimentary* means praising or free of charge. Two things are *complementary* when they combine in a way that enhances each other's qualities or if they are nucleic acid bases that pair with each other. Thus, "complementary base", "complementary skills", "complimentary comments".
   * *This Data / These Data* <br> Use *this data* when you can replace "data" with "information". Use *these data* when you can replace "data" with "facts". ([[http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/is-data-singular-or-plural.aspx][source]])
   * *Principle / Principal* <br> *Principle* means the fundamental basis of a fact. A *Principal* is the main player or the person of most importance in a project. Thus, "proof of principle", "principal investigator", "in principle", "the principle reason", "school principal".
   * *Where / Wherein* <br> Use *wherein* when you can replace with "in which" or "in what". 

---++ Punctuation
   * [[http://www.punctuationmatters.com/the-hyphen-dash-n-dash-and-m-dash/][Hyphen, en dash, em dash]]

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JeffreyBarrick

Topic revision: r7 - 2012-05-08 - 16:29:26 - Main.JeffreyBarrick