作者选择的词语是其写作风格的一个显著特征；然而，词语选择不仅仅受风格支配。作者应该选择读者可能熟悉的词汇，并对不熟悉的词汇进行定义。科学论文、期刊文章和书籍，倾向于使用更正式的词汇，而其他文档，如电子邮件，则允许使用较不正式的语言。
最好使用词语的基本含义，并避免使用不常见、非正式或主要用于文学表达的词语来表达思想。许多词在口语中很清楚，因为可以通过手势、表情和语调来增强意思，但在书面表达中，这些词可能只有作者自己才能完全理解。
以下仅列出科学写作中常被误用的一些词语和短语。
分组与比较词语
➤ 使用“respectively”来关联同一句子中的两个或多个序列。
The excitation and emission were measured at 360 and 440 nm, respectively. (That is, the excitation was measured at 360 nm, and the emission was measured at 440 nm.)
➤ 使用更准确的表达“greater than”或“more than”，而不是不精确的“over”或“in excess of”。
greater than 50% (not in excess of 50%)
more than 100 samples (not over 100 samples)
more than 25 mg (not in excess of 25 mg, not over 25 mg)
➤ “fewer”用于表示数量（可数），而“less”用于表示量（不可数）。
fewer than 50 animals
fewer than 100 samples
less product
less time
less work
➤ 但在与单位组合的数字前使用“less”，因为此类组合被视为单数。
less than 5 mg
less than 3 days
➤ “between”用于两个明确对象之间；“among”用于三个或更多明确或隐含对象之间。
Communication between scientists and the public is essential.
Communication among scientists, educators, and the public is essential.
Communication among scientists is essential.
常混淆的词语和短语
➤ 根据语义选择“myself”和“me”。 “Myself” is a reflexive pronoun that is used only in sentences in which “I” is the subject, whereas “me” is used as a direct or indirect object or the object of a preposition. “Myself” is never a substitute for “me”.
Please give a copy of the agenda to Anne and me. (not to Anne and myself)
I myself checked the agenda.
Cheryl and I checked the agenda. (not Cheryl and myself)
The agenda was checked by Barbara and me. (not by Barbara and myself)
➤ “due to”仅用于修饰紧接其前的名词或代词，或跟在“to be”动词形式后。
Cutbacks due to decreased funding have left us without basic reference books.
The accuracy of the prediction is due to a superior computer program.
➤ Choose “based on” and “on the basis of” depending on your meaning. Phrases starting with “based on” must modify a noun or pronoun that usually immediately precedes or follows the phrase. Use phrases starting with “on the basis of” to modify a verb.
The doctors’ new methods in brain surgery were based on Ben Carson’s work.
On the basis of the molecular orbital calculations, we propose a mechanism that can account for all the major features of alkali and alkaline earth catalyzed gasification reactions. (not Based on …)
➤ Choose “assure”, “ensure”, and “insure” depending on your meaning. To assure is to affirm; to ensure is to make certain; to insure is to indemnify for money.
He assured me that the work had been completed.
The procedure ensures that clear guidelines have been established.
You cannot get a mortgage unless you insure your home.
➤ Choose “affect”, “effect”, and “impact” depending on your meaning. When “affect” is used as a verb, it means to influence, modify, or change. When “effect” is used as a verb, it means to bring about, but as a noun it means consequence, outcome, or result. “Impact” is a noun meaning a significant effect.
The increased use of pesticides affects agricultural productivity.
The use of polychlorinated benzenes has an effect on the cancer rate.
The effect of the added acid was negligible.
The new procedure effected a 50% increase in yield.
The impact of pesticide use on health is felt throughout the world.
The acid did not have a great impact on the reaction rate.
➤ 使用“whether”引入至少两个明确或隐含的选择
I am not sure whether I should repeat the experiment.
I am not sure whether I should repeat the experiment or use a different statistical treatment.
I am going to repeat the experiment whether the results are positive or negative.
➤ 用“whether or not”表示“不论是否”。
INCORRECT
I am not sure whether or not to repeat the experiment.
CORRECT
I am not sure whether to repeat the experiment.
Whether or not the results are positive, I will repeat the experiment.
Whether or not I repeat the experiment, I will probably leave the laboratory late tonight.
➤ “to comprise”表示“包含”或“由…组成”，不是“compose”的同义词。切勿使用“is comprised of”。
INCORRECT
A book is comprised of chapters.
CORRECT
A book comprises chapters.
A book is composed of chapters.
INCORRECT
Our research was comprised of three stages.
CORRECT
Our research comprised three stages.
冠词“A”和“An”的使用
➤ 根据所修饰词的发音选择冠词“a”和“an”。
a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer
an NMR spectrometer
➤ 在发音为送气音的“h”前用“a”；在元音音素（a, e, i, o, “soft” or “short” u, and y）前用“an”。
a house, a history (but an hour, an honor)
a union, a U-14C (but an ultimate)
a yard (but an ylide, an yttrium compound)
➤ 根据首字母发音选择B.A.、B.S.、M.A.、M.S.和Ph.D.前的冠词。
a B.S. degree
an M.S. degree
a Ph.D.
应避免使用的词语和短语
➤ 避免使用俚语和行话。
➤ 简明扼要，避免冗长。
➤ 避免使用空洞短语。
As already stated
It has been found that
It has long been known that
It is interesting to note that
It is worth mentioning at this point
It may be said that It was demonstrated that
➤ 删除多余词语，使表达更简洁。
INSTEAD OF CONSIDER USING
It is a procedure that is often used. This procedure is often used.
There are seven steps that must be completed. Seven steps must be completed.
This is a problem that is …. This problem is ….
These results are preliminary in nature. These results are preliminary.
➤ 使用单词代替短语，使表达更经济、更精确。
| instead of | consider using |
|---|
| a number of | many, several |
| a small number of | a few |
| are found to be | are |
| are in agreement | agree |
| are known to be | are |
| at present | now |
| at the present time | now |
| based on the fact that | because |
| by means of | by |
| despite the fact that | although |
| due to the fact that | because |
| during that time | while |
| fewer in number | fewer |
| for the reason that | because |
| has been shown to be | is |
| if it is assumed that | if |
| in color, e.g., red in color | just state the color, e.g., red |
| in consequence of this fact | therefore, consequently |
| in length | long |
| in order to | to |
| in shape, e.g., round in shape | just state the shape, e.g., round |
| in size, e.g., small in size | just state the size, e.g., small |
| in spite of the fact that | although |
| in the case of … | in …, for … |
| in the near future | soon |
| in view of the fact that | because |
| is known to be | is |
| it appears that | apparently |
| it is clear that | clearly |
| it is likely that | likely |
| it is possible that | possibly |
| it would appear that | apparently |
| of great importance | important |
| on the order of | about |
| owing to the fact that | because |
| prior to | before |
| reported in the literature | reported |
| subsequent to | after |
➤ 科学论文中避免使用缩写形式。
INCORRECT
The identification wasn’t confirmed by mass spectrometry.
CORRECT
The identification was not confirmed by mass spectrometry.
➤ 不要用“plus”或加号表示“and”。
INCORRECT
Two bacterial enzymes were used in a linked-enzyme assay for heroin plus metabolites.
CORRECT
Two bacterial enzymes were used in a linked-enzyme assay for heroin and its metabolites.
➤ 不要将“respectively”误用为“separately”或“independently”。
INCORRECT
The electrochemical oxidations of chromium and tungsten tricarbonyl complexes, respectively, were studied.
CORRECT
The electrochemical oxidations of chromium and tungsten tricarbonyl complexes were studied separately.
➤ 避免误用以“with”引入的介词短语。
POOR
Nine deaths from leukemia occurred, with six expected.
BETTER
Nine deaths from leukemia occurred, and six had been expected.
POOR
Of the 20 compounds tested, 12 gave positive reactions, with three being greater than 75%.
BETTER
Of the 20 compounds tested, 12 gave positive reactions; three of these were greater than 75%.
POOR
Two weeks later, six more animals died, with the total rising to 25.
better
Two weeks later, six more animals died, and the total was then 25.
➤ Do not use a slash to mean “and” or “or”.
INCORRECT
Hot/cold extremes will damage the samples.
CORRECT
Hot and cold extremes will damage the samples.
➤ Replace “and/or” with either “and” or “or”, depending on your meaning.
INCORRECT
Our goal was to confirm the presence of the alkaloid in the leaves and/or roots.
CORRECT
Our goal was to confirm the presence of the alkaloid in the leaves and roots.
Our goal was to confirm the presence of the alkaloid in either the leaves or the roots.
Our goal was to confirm the presence of the alkaloid in the leaves, the roots, or both.
➤ 避免使用“recently”，以防文章或书籍很快显得过时。
POOR
It was recently found that these effects enhance the bond strength.
BETTER
Harris and Harris (2006) found that these effects enhance the bond strength.
性别中性语言（Gender-Neutral Language）
近期的风格指南建议编辑和作者选择不强化过时性别角色的词汇。性别中性语言可以准确、公正，且未必尴尬。
➤ 用“people”、“humans”、“human beings”或“human species”代替“man”。
OUTDATED
The effects of compounds I–X were studied in rats and man.
GENDER-NEUTRAL
The effects of compounds I–X were studied in rats and humans.
OUTDATED
Men working in hazardous environments are often unaware of their rights and responsibilities.
GENDER-NEUTRAL
People working in hazardous environments are often unaware of their rights and responsibilities.
OUTDATED
Man’s search for beauty and truth has resulted in some of his greatest accomplishments.
GENDER-NEUTRAL
The search for beauty and truth has resulted in some of our greatest accomplishments.
➤ Instead of “manpower”, use “workers”, “staff”, “work force”, “labor”, “crew”, “employees”, or “personnel”, depending on your meaning.
➤ Instead of “man-made”, use “synthetic”, “artificial”, “built”, “constructed”, “manufactured”, or even “factory-made”.
➤ Instead of “he” and “his”, change the construction to a plural form (“they” and “theirs”) or first person (“we”, “us”, and “ours”). Alternatively, delete “his” and replace it with “a”, “the”, or nothing at all. “His or her”, if not overused, is also acceptable. Using passive voice or second person (“you”, “your”, and “yours”) also works sometimes.
OUTDATED
The principal investigator should place an asterisk after his name.
GENDER-NEUTRAL
Principal investigators should place asterisks after their names.
If you are the principal investigator, place an asterisk after your name.
The name of the principal investigator should be followed by an asterisk.
➤ 不要对单数先行词使用复数代词。
INCORRECT
The principal investigator should place an asterisk after their name.
CORRECT
The principal investigators should place asterisks after their names.
➤ Instead of “wife”, use “family” or “spouse” where appropriate.
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【拓展】
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【参考】
- 《The ACS Style Guide》 3E
