Subtle Grammatical Usage Notes
aka Common mistakes when writing scientific papers and grants.
Usage
- Alternate / Alternative
Alternate means "every other one" in a series. Alternative means "another option". (REL)
- Bacteriophage / Bacteriophages
Even though it sounds strange, the plural of bacteriophage is really bacteriophages.
- By Contrast / In Contrast
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
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
Use this data when you can replace "data" with "information". Use these data when you can replace "data" with "facts". (source)
- Principle / Principal
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
Use wherein when you can replace with "in which" or "in what".
Punctuation
Topic revision: r7 - 2012-05-08 - 16:29:26 - Main.JeffreyBarrick