5_GrammarTips
Short Summary:
This video provides five essential grammar tips for scientific writing. Key points cover the plural nature of "data," the correct usage of "affect" and "effect," the distinction between "compared to" and "compared with," the proper use of "that" and "which," and the difference between "composed" and "comprised." The implications are improved clarity and precision in scientific communication, leading to more impactful writing. The video uses numerous examples to illustrate each grammar point, demonstrating correct and incorrect usage.
Detailed Summary:
The video is divided into sections focusing on specific grammar points relevant to scientific writing.
Section 1: Data (Plural Noun)
This section emphasizes that "data" is grammatically plural. The speaker clarifies that while some may disregard this rule, using "these data show" (plural verb) is technically correct, unlike "the data shows" (singular verb). The singular form, "datum," is rarely used in scientific contexts, primarily referring to a single data point. The speaker acknowledges differing opinions on strict adherence to this rule but recommends treating "data" as plural for consistency. Example sentences illustrating correct plural usage are provided.
Section 2: Affect vs. Effect
This section addresses the common confusion between "affect" (verb meaning "to influence") and "effect" (noun meaning "result"). The speaker highlights the frequent misuse of these words in scientific writing. The speaker notes that while "effect" can sometimes function as a verb (e.g., "to effect change"), in scientific writing, it's predominantly a noun. Several examples demonstrate correct usage, contrasting sentences using "affect" as a verb and "effect" as a noun. The speaker encourages viewers to identify and correct incorrect usage in their writing.
Section 3: Compared To vs. Compared With
This section distinguishes between "compared to" (highlighting similarities between dissimilar things) and "compared with" (highlighting differences between similar things). The speaker explains that "compared with" is more common in scientific writing, as it often involves comparing similar items with slight variations (e.g., different treatments in an experiment). The example of comparing the nutritional value of brown and red algae illustrates the appropriate use of "compared with."
Section 4: That vs. Which
This section explains the difference between the restrictive pronoun "that" (essential information) and the non-restrictive pronoun "which" (non-essential, additional information). The speaker uses examples to show how omitting the "that" clause changes the sentence's meaning, while omitting the "which" clause does not. The speaker emphasizes that clauses using "which" are set off by commas, indicating their non-essential nature. Examples involving vials and bikes illustrate the correct usage of "that" and "which." The speaker also mentions that sometimes "which" clauses can be removed for conciseness. Examples from Strunk & White's "The Elements of Style" and Richard Feynman's writing are used to highlight instances where "which" should have been "that."
Section 5: Composed vs. Comprised
This section clarifies the often-confused words "composed" and "comprised." The speaker explains that "comprised" means "to consist of" (e.g., "The pie is comprised of eight slices"), while "composed" means "to constitute a part of" (e.g., "Eight slices compose the pie"). The speaker admits personal difficulty with this distinction and provides examples to illustrate the correct usage of each word. The speaker acknowledges that some may consider this distinction pedantic but encourages correct usage for precision.
The video concludes by reiterating the importance of these grammar points for clear and effective scientific writing, promising a future video on punctuation.