is data singular or plural?
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Is data singular or plural?. Technical English. Is data singular or plural?. Technical English. The prestigious high-level research journal Nature. The weekly science magazine New Scientist. The Guardian newspaper. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
The following table summarises the results of of an investigationof 750 randomly-selected citations for data from each of thefollowing publications:
The prestigious high-level research journal Nature.
The weekly science magazine New Scientist
The Guardian newspaper
Publication Frequency Plural Singular
Nature 1:563 93.6% 6.4%
New Scientist 1:1,970 69.9% 30.1%
The Guardian 1:22,047 39.5% 60.5%( ref. Tim Johns University of Birmingham - http://web.bham.ac.uk/johnstf/revis006.htm)
Is data singular or plural?Technical English
Metaphors and clichésTechnical English
Metaphor
A metaphor is a word used for effect in a way in which its meaning cannot be taken literally:
there are new projects in the pipelinehe is a giant in his fieldit was a stormy meeting
can result in quite laughable statements:
new water supply projects are in the pipelinehospitals warn that supplies of blood are drying up this summer
Clichés
A cliché is an expression which has become stale or worn-out
moving the goal postsballpark figureat the end of the day
Definition of a sentence
• A sentence is a group of words which makes sense in itself
• A sentence contains at least one main item of information to which various subsidiary ideas may be attached
• A sentence must contain at least one complete verb
In reply to your enquiry about maintenance.
With reference to your telephone call.
Incorrect
Technical English
When you have logged into the computer and typed in your username, the computer will respond with a dollar prompt, you can then set your password by invoking the ‘passwd’ command,
this password should be used whenever you log in in future.
Sentence length
When you first log into the computer, type your user name and the computer will respond with a dollar prompt.
You can set your password by invoking the ‘passwd’ command.
This password should be used whenever you log in.
Technical English
1
2
3
Proof reading a document
• Don’t do it yourself - Get someone else to do it. But who to choose?*
• Cool off - Don’t attempt to proof read a document as soon as you have written it.
• Use a style guide - English or US spelling, data is or data are etc.
• Useful aids - Read your text line by line. Read backwards word by word.
• Don’t trust the spellchecker - Many mistakes are not detected.*
• Check - consistency - e.g. hyphenation “micro-computer”
- text vs. diagrams - same terms in both? Does Fig.2b still exist?
- Acronyms - should always be spelled out first.
- Numbers - the numbers 0 - 9 should be spelled out.
Technical English
Proof reading a document
• Don’t do it yourself - Get someone else to do it. But who to choose?
Technical English
A colleague working in the same field
A native speaker
A native speaker with a technical background
Proof reading a documentTechnical English
Don’t trust the spellchecker - Many mistakes are not detected.*
bellowlaterthenfiledmeltnow
belowlatter (only for two)
thanfieldmaltnot
The power supply is not safe to operate
The power supply is now safe to operate
Technical English
Letters
Ljubljanska Cesta 191001 LjubljanaSlovenia
5 January 1999
Mr D. GreeneManufacturing ManagerMedium MakersHalo Industrial EstateBurridgeDevon BU7 4RT
Dear Mr Greene
Final year student project
I am a final year student at the Mechanical Engineering Facultyof the University of Ljubljana. I am carrying out a project onaspects of the modelling of manufacturing processes. I am hopingto improve my knowledge in this area by gaining some workexperience during the summer at a manufacturing plant in the UK.
Could you please inform me of any summer vacancies you haveavailable for students in your company. I am particularlyinterested in working with computer simulations of hightemperature forming operations.
My lecture courses will be completed by June 25 after which Iwill not be required to attend the University again untilSeptember 6. I have enclosed a copy of my CV and a short projectreport on hot forming which will give you an indication of myexperience to date in this field.
Yours sincerely
Signature
Janez Novak
Encl.
Your addressDo not use punctuation. Do not abbreviate Road to Rd etc.
DateUse the format: 5 January 1999.No need to write 5th.Never write 05. 01. 99
Their name and addressOnly necessary with a formal letter.Position to the left.No punctuation
Dear . . .Do your homework. Only write Dear Sir/Madam as last resort.No ‘.’ after Mr or Dr
HeadingClarifies the purpose.Always Bold or underline
MEDIUM MAKERS,Halo Industrial Estate, Burridge, Devon BU7 4RT
Phone: 012121 666444 Fax: 012121 666445
Our ref: DFG/hj
6 February 1999
Janez NovakLjubljanska Cesta 191001 LjubljanaSlovenia
Dear Janez Novak
Final year student project
Thank you for your letter of 5 January. I am pleased to inform you thatwe will be recruiting a number of students from the UK and overseas towork with us on 6-8 week projects during the summer. This is part of theEuropean Archimedes Programme of which Slovenia is a partner.
I am enclosing a copy of our company Student Application Form which Iwould ask you to complete and return to us before April 17, together withthe other documents specified on the form.
If you have any further enquiries regarding the projects, please contactMr Michael Williams, at the same address, who is responsible for thecoordination of the Programme.
Yours sincerely
Signature
Derek GreeneManufacturing Manager
Encl.
Technical English
Letters
Headed paperLetters from companies, institutes etc. alwaysuse headed paper.
Reference codeReference code must follow office convention
Dear . . .Dear Janez is too familiarIf in doubt use full name rather than Mr, Mrs etc.If you know title, use it. e.g. Dear Dr Jones
Yours . . . Dear Sir/Madam …… Yours faithfullyDear Dr Jones ……Yours sincerelyDear Paul ……..Best wishes, regards, love etc.
Below the signatureType your name and specify your position
Enclosed document(s)Encl. Indicates other documents are included
Technical English
Letters
Some general rules when writing letters
• If your letter refers to previous correspondence you should make it clear.
e.g. I refer to your letter of 11 February. - (bit cold) Thank you for your letter. - (better)
• Come to the point quickly.
• There is no need to round off a letter with a special closing remark.
e.g. I look forward very much to hearing from you. I would like to thank you in advance for your help with this matter.
• Never be over polite or obsequious.
e.g. I would be very grateful if… If you could possibly find the time….
• Don’t summarise at the end, a a letter should not normally be longer than one page.
Technical English
An accurate memo
MEMO
To: Alpha Project From: Mike Smith Date: 6 July personnel
The purpose of this memo is to notify all companypersonnel involved with the Alpha project of the presentsituation regarding outstanding items not delivered tothe customer yet for one reason or another.
MEMO
To: Alpha Project From: Mike Smith Date: 6 July personnel
We’ve problems of late delivery on the Alpha project.
Technical English
Difficult pairs
stationery
writing paper
principal
chief
draft
rough version
accede
assent to
access
entry
affect
to have influence on
stationary
without movement
principle
underlying rule
draught
current of air
exceed
surpass
assess
weigh up
effect
to bring about / an influence
Technical English
Difficult pairs
affect and effect
affect is a verb:
Studying engineering to an advanced level has affected his job prospects.
effect is a verb and a noun:
Study, hard work and experience combined to effect an improvement in his career prospects.
His overseas experience has had an effect on his career pattern.
Technical English
Difficult pairs
advice and advise
I can advise you to study engineering, but will you take my advice?
He perfected a device for sounding the alarm but could not devise a way of ensuring that people would respond.
I will license you to issue licences
device and deviselicence and license
Rule: the noun has a c and the verb has an s
Technical English
Don’t be vague or pompous
Vague:Our experiments were quite successful and we are generally hopeful that we shall be able to make the results public in due course.
Exact: We were successful with 60% of our experiments, and provided that there are no unforeseen problems, we shall make the results public within the next two months.
Pompous:Following our recent meeting, we feel we must put in writing which we believe to be the justifying factors leading to our proposed modest increases in costs.
Straightforward:In the light of our meeting on 21 January, I confirm our need to raise our prices.
Technical English
Sentence length
Further to our recent meeting regarding electricity supply and utilisation, I would like very much to arrange a further meeting with you to discuss the subject, coupled with a general discussion on electrical applications and equipment capable of providingpossible reductions in unit production costs, such as electric/steam generators and convection/radiant ovens coupled to load control equipment.
This sentence contains fifty-nine words
I should like to arrange a further meeting.(the main clause)
1. further to our recent meeting2. regarding electricity supply and utilisation3. to discuss the subject(three subsiduary ideas)
We could have a general discussion(the next idea)
1. about electrical applications and equipment(another subsiduary idea)
2. capable of providing possible reductions in unit production costs(more details)
3. such as electricity/steam generators and convection/radiant ovens coupled to loadcontrol equipment(more examples)
Technical English
Sentence length
Further to our recent meeting regarding electricity supply and utilisation, I would like very much to arrange a further meeting with you to discuss the subject, coupled with a general discussion on electrical applications and equipment capable of providingpossible reductions in unit production costs, such as electric/steam generators and convection/radiant ovens coupled to load control equipment.
The main ideas:
1. I should like to arrange a further meeting.
2. At the same time, we could discuss equipment
3. I can give you examples of the kind of equipment I have in mind.
I should like to arrange a further meeting with you to continue our discussions of [date] on electricity supply and use. At the same time, we could have a general look at electrical applications and equipment capable of providing reductions in unit production costs. I have in mind electric/steam generators and convection/radiant ovens coupled to load control equipment.
Technical English
Sentence length
Summary
Sentences should contain one idea, or two or three closelyrelated ideas which must be correctly joined together.
Good style requires variety of sentence length.
Sentences must not be too long, forty words is a sensible maximum.
Too many short sentences give a rather childish effect.
Technical English
Sentence length
Sentences cannot simply be put together, they need a word or phrase which joins them, they should otherwise be separate, the commas should be changed to full stops.
Sentences cannot simply be put together. They need a word or phrase which joins them.They should otherwise be separate. The commas should be changed to full stops.
Sentences cannot simply be put together. Either they need a word or phrase which joins them or they should be kept separate. The commas should be changed to full stops.
Technical English
Redundant words
Initially, we began by
a new innovation
future consequences
heated to a temperature of 1300°C
it was clearly obvious
both of the two rivets became..
fewer in number
an approximate estimate
each and every person
very expensive quite small rather large
Technical English
Sounding positive
If the trend shown continues, then there should be no reason why an improvement in productivity of approaching 40% is not achievable.(too negative)
If we keep up the good work, we’ll just about make a 40% rise in production.(too informal)
If the present trend continues, we should approach a 40% rise in production.(better)
A 40% rise in production is forecast if the present trend continues.(positive)
Technical English
Tension is irrelevant
As night fell, and with it the hard, driving rain, his determination increased and, breathless, exhausted, running onwards although he no longer knew in what direction, stumbling and nearly falling so that he grazed his hands and twistedhis ankle, he now knew more certainly than ever that he would, if need be, die rather than surrender.
Avoid ‘back-to-front’ sentences
To present detailed waste water proposals in the absence ofcommunity structure plans is not possible.
It is impossible to present detailed waste water proposals in the absence of community structure plans.
Technical English
Colons and semicolons
Semicolon
1. Can be used to link two sentences with closely related subject matter:
The design of the bridge was superb at the time; today it has to carry too much traffic.
The two parts must be able to stand alone as individual sentences. The link must be strong.Can produce an elegant style if not overused.
2. Semicolons can also be used to separate sections of information in a list:
The following hazards must be considered:(1) insulation and protection from electric shock;(2) fire risks and the location of fire extinguishers;(3) testing of pressurised or other highly stressed components.
Not necessary if items on the list are short.
Technical English
Colons and semicolons
Colon
1. A colon is used to introduce a list:
The equipment needed for this test is as follows:
oscilloscopedigital voltmetersignal generatorlogic analyserpower supplies
or
There are three main types of stepping motor: variable reluctance motors, permanent magnet motors and hybrid motors.
Colons can be followed by a dash ( :- ), but this is a little old fashioned.
Technical English
Hyphens
Hyphens are used to join two words together to give them a new meaning:
Optional in most cases
online or on-linebandwidth or band-width
wordprocessor or word-processor
Never omitted
bio-degradeablethree-dimensionalsingle-track
Change of meaning
re-cover or recovercross-section or cross section
Easier to read
re-emerge not reemergereal-life not reallife
Word-breaks
Try to avoid:rear- range and leg- end
Technical English
Singular and plural with verbs
In-process inspection and testing now involve more attention to the documented quality plan.
The method of in-process inspection and testing now involves more attention to the documented quality plan.
Professor Jones, accompanied by his research group, is going to visit the department next week.
Professor Jones and his students are going to visit the department next week.
1.
2.
Technical English
Try to use short words
Fill in the blanks with short words that can often take the place of longer ones.
anticipate ---------------- foreseecognizance ---------------- knowledgecompensation ---------------- paydemonstrate ---------------- showendeavor ---------------- tryinitiate ---------------- beginlocality ---------------- placemodification ---------------- changeobjective ---------------- aimoptimum ---------------- bestsubsequent ---------------- nextvoluminous ---------------- bulky
Technical English
Writing a report
Title
Abstract / Summary
Introduction
Procedure / Method / Experimental
Results / Results & Discussion
Discussion
Conclusions
Recommendations
Technical English
Writing a report
The title
• Try not to exceed one line of text.
• Think in terms of keywords
• Make sure the title reflects the contents
• Make it stand out
High temperature impact testing of 69-A19 molybdenum alloys
Investigation into the indentation behaviour of a range of conventionally produced molybdenum based 69-A19 alloys using a variety of high impact tests at elevatedtemperatures
Technical English
Writing a report
Abstract / Summary
• Must cover techniques, all main findings and conclusions
• Think in terms of keywords
• Understand that 90% of people will only read the abstract
• Half a page is enough
The level of traffic flow in Ljubljana has been assessed using the fixed field method. Vehicles were counted for one hour periods between 8:00 - 9:00 and 16:00 - 17:00. Results indicate a 15% overall increase in the volume of traffic, compared with the figures for January 1997. Individual vehicle …….
Technical English
Writing a report
Introduction
• State the reasons for carrying out the investigation
• Provide background information on previous studies
• Make it clear what you intended to do
• Use active and passive language
The last 10 years have seen a large increase in traffic on the roads of Ljubljana. As result of this, we have decided to look at ways in which the problems associated with this traffic can be reduced. We have decided to build on our earlier study [1] which focused on the area around Kino Vič.
Technical English
Writing a report
Procedure / Method / Experimental
• Specify the equipment used in the investigation
• Be clear as to the conditions of the experiment / investigation
• Describe the techniques
• Use passive language
Twenty-four samples of the TiAl2 material were produced using a Philips 1239 atomiser in a nitrogen atmosphere of 1 bar. Each sample was then crushed in a BZT mill for times between 15 and 120 minutes. The powders were then mounted on aluminium sample holders and allowed to dry in a 5% relative humidity atmosphere for 24 hours. Sample morphologies were……….
Technical English
Writing a report
Results / Results & Discussion
• Relate results obtained to the experiment / procedure
• Use tables and graphs to add clarity
• If one experiment follows on from a previous one tell the story
• Use active and passive language
The number of vehicles passing a particular point on Slovenska Cesta between 8:00 am and 9:00 am, recorded by the Sony X1 Digicounter, is shown in Table 1. We have divided the vehicles into three classes: cars, light vans and trucks. Thetable also records the average velocity for each class of vehicle and the numberof occupants, which we considered important….
Technical English
Writing a report
Conclusions
• Do NOT re-state the results or discussion
• Bring together the points discussed and draw conclusions
• List the conclusions
• Indicate future experiments / studies
• Use active and passive language
The absence of any significant deformation of the material indicates that the 3%boron doped FeNd alloy will be suitable for applications at 350°C.
Additional boron substitutions did not lead to any further strengthening and we propose that further investigations should focus on the use of other light elements.
Technical English
Technical English
Writing concisely
Sentences
Word choice
Writing a formal letter
Colons, semicolons and hyphens
Writing a report
Proof reading
Summary