科技英语写作语法错误举例

科技英语写作语法错误举例from: The ACS Style Guide: A Manual for Authors and Editors, Chapter 2, 1986 The ACS Style Guide: A Manual for Authors and Editors, 2nd Edition, 19971Subject-V erb Agreements例1 Application of this technique to studies on phytoplankton biomass and its environmentsare described.[说明] The subject is “application”, which is singular.Application of this technique to … is described.Sometimes, two singular subjects joined by “and” cause this error.例2 Growth and isolation of M13 virus was described.→Growth and isolation of M13 virus were described.Exception: A subject that is plural in form but singular in effect takes a singular verb.例3 The name and address of each contributor is given on the title page.例4 Research and development is attracting a growing number of young scientists.However, when two or more subjects are joined by “or”, the verb takes the number of the closest subject.例5 Application or uses were noted.Uses or application was noted.例6 The appropriate metal ion concentration or the rate constants were used.The rate constants or appropriate metal ion concentration was used.Collective nouns take a singular verb when the group as a whole is meant; in that case they ar e often preceded by the word “the”. Collective nouns take a plural verb when individuals of the group are meant; in that case, they are often preceded by the word “a”.contents majority rangecouple number seriesdozen pair varietygroup例7 The series is arranged in order of decreasing size.[说明] Refers to the series as a unit.例8 A series of compounds were tested.[说明] Refers to each compound.例9 The number of metal amides synthesized was the largest to date. (Refers to the number as a unit.)A number of metal amides were synthesized. (Refers to each amide.)例10 The series of compounds was prepared to test the hypothesis. (Refers to the series as a unit.)A series of compounds were tested. (Refers to each compound.)例11 A series of low molecular weight phenolphthalein epoxy resins ( M n＝500～700) has been prepared from phenolphthalein and epichlorohydrin using K2CO3(Na2CO3)/H2Oas catalysts instead of NaOH/H2O.→A series of low molecular weight phenolphthalein epoxy resins (M n＝500～700) heve been prepared from phenolphthalein and epichlorohydrin using K2CO3(Na2CO3)/H2O as catalysts instead of NaOH/H2O.“Data” can be a singular or plural noun.例12 Experimental data that we obtained are compared with previously reported results.[说明] Refers to the data as individual results.例13 After the data are distributed, we can meet to discuss them.→After the data is distributed, we can meet to discuss it.[说明] Refers to the whole collection of data as one unit.例14 None of the samples were soluble.→None of the samples was soluble.[说明] Refers to individuals.例15 This group of workers are well aware of their responsibilities.→This group of workers is well aware of its responsibilities.[说明] Refers to the group as a unit.Units of measurement are treated as collective nouns and therefore take a singular subject.例16 The mixture was stirred, and 5 mL of diluent were added.→The mixture was stirred, and 5 mL of diluent was added.例17 Five grams of NaCL were added to the solution.→Five grams of NaCL was added to the solution.例18 Three weeks are needed to complete the experiment.→Three weeks is needed to complete the experiment.Nouns ending in ics and denoting a scientific discipline are usually singular.dynamics mechanicskinetics physicsmathematics thermodynamicsMechanics involves the application of Newton’s three laws of motion.The kinetics of electron transfer to and from photogenerated radicals was examined by laser flash photolysis.The thermodynamics is governed by the positions of the valence and conduction bands.Compound subjects containing the words “each”, “every”, and “everybody” may take singular verbs.例19 Each flask and each holder was sterilized before use.Both components of the compound subject must contain the words in question. Otherwise, the verb must be plural.例20 Each student and all of the professors were invited.Sometimes, one of these words is implicit; such cases take a singular verb.例21 Each name and address is entered into the database.Indefinite pronouns themselves (or adjectives combined with the indefinite pronoun “one”) can be the subject of the sentence.•Those that take a singular verb are “each”, “either”, “neither”, “no one”, “every one”, “anyone”, “someone”, “everyone”, anybody”, somebody”, and everybody”.例22 Each was evaluated for its effect on metabolism.例23 Neither disrupts the cell membrane.例24 Regarding compounds 1—10, every one reacts with the control agent.例25 Someone measures the volume every day.•Those that take a plural verb are “several”, “few”, “both”, “’and “many”.例26Several were evaluated for their effects on metabolism.例27 Few disrupt the cell membrane.例28 Regarding compounds 1 and 2, both react with the control agent.例29 Many were chosen to be part of the study.•Those that take either a singular or plural verb, depending on context, are “some”, “any”, “none”, “all”, and “most”. The number of the object of the preposition determines the number of the indefinite pronoun related to it.例30Some of the money was stolen.例31Some of the books were lost.例32Not all the disks are here; some were lost.When a fraction is the subject of the sentence, the number of the attendant object of the preposition determines the number of the subject.例33One‐third of the precipitate was dissolved.例34One‐fourth of the electrons are excited.例35The remainder of the compounds are yet to be described.When a subject and its predicative disagree in number, the verb takes the number of the subject.例36 The preparation and structure determination of these three compounds are the topic of paper.例37The topic of this paper is the preparation and structure determination of these three compounds.2 Restrictive and Nonrestrictive ClausesWhen a clause in a compound sentence is restrictive, the clause is necessary to the sense of the sentence, the sentence would become pointless without the clause. Restrictive clauses are best introduced by “that”, not “which”.例38 It was necessary to fined a blocking group which would react with the amino group but not with the hydroxyl.→It was necessary to fined a blocking group that would react with the amino group but not with the hydroxyl.A phrase or clause is nonrestrictive if it adds information but is not essential ; that is, thesentence does not lose its meaning if the phrase or clause is deleted.Nonrestrictive phrase and clause are set off by commas.例39The current-voltage curves, which are shown in Figure 6, clearly demonstrate the reversibility of all four processes.例40Melvin Calvin, who won the Nobel Prize in 1961, elucidated the biochemical pathways in photosynthesis.3Dangling Modifiers （悬垂修饰语）何谓Dangling Modifiers （悬垂修饰语）•A dangling modifier is a word or phrase that does not clearly and logically modify another word in the sentence. In scientific writing, passive voice is often necessary (“the solutions were heated”; melting points were determined”), but its use can lead to dangling modifiers.• The understood subject is usually the same as in the main clause.Walking across the field, we saw a plane fly past.(= As we were walking …,we saw …)•与句子主语没有联系的短语修饰语，即动词短语的逻辑主语（隐含主语）与主句主语不一致。