Is data singular or plural?
Technical English
Is data singular or plural?
Technical English
Is data singular or plural?
Technical English
The following table summarises the results of of an investigation
of 750 randomly-selected citations for data from each of the
following publications:
The prestigious high-level research journal Nature.
The weekly science magazine New Scientist
The Guardian newspaper
Publication
Nature
New Scientist
The Guardian
Frequency
1:563
1:1,970
1:22,047
Plural
93.6%
69.9%
39.5%
Singular
6.4%
30.1%
60.5%
( ref. Tim Johns University of Birmingham - http://web.bham.ac.uk/johnstf/revis006.htm)
Metaphors and clichés
Technical 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 pipeline
he is a giant in his field
it was a stormy meeting
can result in quite laughable statements:
new water supply projects are in the pipeline
hospitals 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 posts
ballpark figure
at the end of the day
Definition of a sentence
Technical English
• 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
Incorrect
In reply to your enquiry about maintenance.
With reference to your telephone call.
Sentence length
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.
1
When you first log into the computer, type your user name
and the computer will respond with a dollar prompt.
2
You can set your password by invoking the ‘passwd’ command.
3
This password should be used whenever you log in.
Proof reading a document
Technical English
• 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.
Proof reading a document
Technical English
• Don’t do it yourself - Get someone else to do it. But who to choose?
A colleague working in the same field
A native speaker
A native speaker with a technical background
Proof reading a document
Technical English
Don’t trust the spellchecker - Many mistakes are not detected.*
bellow
later
then
filed
melt
now
below
latter (only for two)
than
field
malt
not
The power supply is not safe to operate
The power supply is now safe to operate
Letters
Technical English
Ljubljanska Cesta 19
1001 Ljubljana
Slovenia
5 January 1999
Mr D. Greene
Manufacturing Manager
Medium Makers
Halo Industrial Estate
Burridge
Devon BU7 4RT
Dear Mr Greene
Your address
Do not use punctuation.
Do not abbreviate Road to Rd etc.
Date
Use the format: 5 January 1999.
No need to write 5th.
Never write 05. 01. 99
Final year student project
I am a final year student at the Mechanical Engineering Faculty
of the University of Ljubljana. I am carrying out a project on
aspects of the modelling of manufacturing processes. I am hoping
to improve my knowledge in this area by gaining some work
experience during the summer at a manufacturing plant in the UK.
Could you please inform me of any summer vacancies you have
available for students in your company. I am particularly
interested in working with computer simulations of high
temperature forming operations.
My lecture courses will be completed by June 25 after which I
will not be required to attend the University again until
September 6. I have enclosed a copy of my CV and a short project
report on hot forming which will give you an indication of my
experience to date in this field.
Yours sincerely
Their name and address
Only 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
Signature
Janez Novak
Encl.
Heading
Clarifies the purpose.
Always Bold or underline
Letters
Technical English
MEDIUM MAKERS,
Halo Industrial Estate, Burridge, Devon BU7 4RT
Phone: 012121 666444 Fax: 012121 666445
Headed paper
Letters from companies, institutes etc. always
use headed paper.
Our ref: DFG/hj
6 February 1999
Janez Novak
Ljubljanska Cesta 19
1001 Ljubljana
Slovenia
Dear Janez Novak
Final year student project
Thank you for your letter of 5 January. I am pleased to inform you that
we will be recruiting a number of students from the UK and overseas to
work with us on 6-8 week projects during the summer. This is part of the
European Archimedes Programme of which Slovenia is a partner.
I am enclosing a copy of our company Student Application Form which I
would ask you to complete and return to us before April 17, together with
the other documents specified on the form.
If you have any further enquiries regarding the projects, please contact
Mr Michael Williams, at the same address, who is responsible for the
coordination of the Programme.
Yours sincerely
Reference code
Reference code must follow office convention
Dear . . .
Dear Janez is too familiar
If 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 faithfully
Dear Dr Jones ……Yours sincerely
Dear Paul ……..Best wishes, regards, love etc.
Below the signature
Type your name and specify your position
Signature
Derek Greene
Manufacturing Manager
Encl.
Enclosed document(s)
Encl. Indicates other documents are included
Letters
Technical English
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.
An accurate memo
Technical English
MEMO
To: Alpha Project
personnel
From: Mike Smith
Date: 6 July
The purpose of this memo is to notify all company
personnel involved with the Alpha project of the present
situation regarding outstanding items not delivered to
the customer yet for one reason or another.
MEMO
To: Alpha Project
personnel
From: Mike Smith
Date: 6 July
We’ve problems of late delivery on the Alpha project.
Difficult pairs
Technical English
stationery
stationary
writing paper
without movement
principal
principle
chief
underlying rule
draft
draught
rough version
current of air
accede
exceed
assent to
surpass
access
assess
entry
weigh up
affect
effect
to have influence on
to bring about / an influence
Difficult pairs
Technical English
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.
Difficult pairs
Technical English
licence and license
device and devise
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
Rule: the noun has a c and the verb has an s
Don’t be vague or pompous
Technical English
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.
Sentence length
Technical English
I should like to arrange a further meeting.
(the main clause)
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 providing
possible 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
1. further to our recent meeting
2. regarding electricity supply and utilisation
3. 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 load
control equipment
(more examples)
Sentence length
Technical English
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.
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 providing
possible reductions in unit
production costs, such as
electric/steam generators and
convection/radiant ovens coupled
to load control equipment.
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.
Sentence length
Technical English
Summary
Sentences should contain one idea, or two or three closely
related 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.
Sentence length
Technical English
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.
Redundant words
Technical English
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
Sounding positive
Technical English
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)
Tension is irrelevant
Technical English
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 twisted
his 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 of
community structure plans is not possible.
It is impossible to present detailed waste water proposals in
the absence of community structure plans.
Colons and semicolons
Technical English
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.
Colons and semicolons
Technical English
Colon
1. A colon is used to introduce a list:
The equipment needed for this test is as follows:
oscilloscope
digital voltmeter
signal generator
logic analyser
power 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.
Hyphens
Technical English
Hyphens are used to join two words together to give them a new meaning:
Optional in most cases
Change of meaning
online or on-line
bandwidth or band-width
wordprocessor or word-processor
re-cover or recover
cross-section or cross section
Never omitted
Word-breaks
Try to avoid:
rear- range and leg- end
Easier to read
re-emerge not reemerge
real-life not reallife
bio-degradeable
three-dimensional
single-track
Singular and plural with verbs
Technical English
1.
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.
2.
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.
Try to use short words
Technical English
Fill in the blanks with short words that can often take the place of longer ones.
anticipate
cognizance
compensation
demonstrate
endeavor
initiate
locality
modification
objective
optimum
subsequent
voluminous
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
foresee
knowledge
pay
show
try
begin
place
change
aim
best
next
bulky
Writing a report
Technical English
Title
Abstract / Summary
Introduction
Procedure / Method / Experimental
Results / Results & Discussion
Discussion
Conclusions
Recommendations
Writing a report
Technical English
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 elevated
temperatures
Writing a report
Technical English
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 …….
Writing a report
Technical English
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.
Writing a report
Technical English
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……….
Writing a report
Technical English
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. The
table also records the average velocity for each class of vehicle and the number
of occupants, which we considered important….
Writing a report
Technical English
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
Technical English
Technical English
Summary
 Avoid redundant words and long sentences
 Keep your texts short
 Be accurate not vague - be polite not pompous
 Avoid metaphors and clichés
 Use simple straightforward language