A modifier is any word or group of words that describe or qualify the meaning of other parts of a sentence. When used correctly, a modifier can inform and clarify. However, when…
In academic writing, precision and clarity in language is important. Ensuring a nuanced balance between certainty and caution can only be achieved by the strategic use of language;…
The knowledge of syntactical rules is important if we wish to form correct sentences that appropriately convey a given idea. An elliptical construction is one in which a word or…
In written communication, consistency can be defined as the orderly presentation of a set of linked/associated elements in the text. These elements can be considered to be linked…
The pseudo generic “he,” that is, the usage of “man” to denote all of humanity assumes that the default and normal human being is male. While there are more pressing issues in the…
Academic writing conveys clear and accurate information, and to this end, places a high premium on well-constructed, carefully thought-out content. Alas! Many a time, these…
The Temptation of Overcomplication?
Teachers are familiar with the tricks their students attempt to use when looking to hit targets of a specific number of words for an…
A google search on how to improve your English grammar gives about 9 million results in less than a second. Since English is the undeclared lingua franca in academic research, any…
As a scientist, you are writing because you have a non-subjective message to convey. That message should be crystal clear. State it, rather than imply it; repeat it to drive it…
You can use a technique called "signaling" to eliminate choppiness in your writing. Every sentence of every paragraph should end in such a way that what follows seems natural to…