Is data singular or plural?

Is data singular or plural? Technical English

The prestigious high-level research journal Nature. The weekly science magazine New Scientist TheGuardian newspaper ( ref. Tim Johns University of Birmingham - http://web.bham.ac.uk/johnstf/revis006.htm) 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:

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. When you first log into the computer, type your user name and the computer will respond with a dollar prompt. 1 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 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 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 Heading Clarifies the purpose. Always Bold or underline

Letters Technical English Headed paper Letters from companies, institutes etc. always use headed paper. 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 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

Difficult pairs Technical English 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

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) 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) 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

Sentence length Technical English 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. 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.

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 online or on-line bandwidth or band-width wordprocessor or word-processor Change of meaning re-cover or recover cross-section or cross section Never omitted bio-degradeable three-dimensional single-track Word-breaks Try to avoid: rear- range and leg- end Easier to read re-emerge not reemerge real-life not reallife

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. 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. 2.

Try to use short words Technical English Fill in the blanks with short words that can often take the place of longer ones. anticipate ---------------- foresee cognizance ---------------- knowledge compensation ---------------- pay demonstrate ---------------- show endeavor ---------------- try initiate ---------------- begin locality ---------------- place modification ---------------- change objective ---------------- aim optimum ---------------- best subsequent ---------------- next voluminous ---------------- 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

Is data singular or plural?