科技英语写作语法错误举例 from: The ACS Style Guide, Chapter 2 1 Subject-Verb Agreements 例1 Application of this technique to studies on phytoplankton biomass and its environments are 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. Collective nouns take a singular verb when the group as a whole is meant, they take a plural verb when individuals of the group are meant. 例6 The series is arranged in order of decreasing size. [ 说明] Refers to the series as a unit. 例7 A series of compounds were tested. [ 说明] Refers to each compound. 例8 A series of low molecular weight phenolphthalein epoxy resins ( Mn ＝500 ～700) has been prepared from phenolphthalein and epichlorohydrin using K2CO3(Na2CO3)/H2O as catalysts instead of NaOH/H2O. →A series of low molecular weight phenolphthalein epoxy resins ( Mn ＝500 ～700) heve been prepared from phenolphthalein and epichlorohydrin using K2CO3(Na2CO3)/H2O as catalysts instead of NaOH/H2O. 例9 Experimental data that we obtained are compared with previously reported results. [ 说明] Refers to the data as individual results. 例10 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11 None of the samples was soluble. →None of the samples were soluble. [ 说明] Refers to individuals. 例12 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13 The mixture was stirred, and 5 mL of diluent were added. →The mixture was stirred, and 5 mL of diluent was added. 例14 Five grams of NaCL were added to the solution. →Five grams of NaCL was added to the solution. 例15 Three weeks are needed to complete the experiment. →Three weeks is needed to complete the experiment. Compound subjects containing the words “each”, “every”, and “everybody”may take singular verbs. 例16 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17 Each student and all of the professors were invited. Restrictive and Nonrestrictive Clauses When 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18 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. When a clause is nonrestrictive, it adds information, but the sentence does not lose its meaning if the clause is deleted. Nonrestrictive clause are introduced by “which”are set off by commas. 例19 The current-voltage curves, which are shown in Figure 6, clearly demonstrate the reversibility of all four processes. 3 Dangling Modifiers （垂悬修饰语）One form of a dangling modifier is a verbal phrase that not refer clearly and logically to another word or phrase in the sentence. 例20 Understanding the effect of substituents on the parent molecules, the ortho hydrogens could be assigned to the high-frequency peak. →Understanding the effect of substituents on the parent molecules, we could assign the ortho hydrogens to the high-frequency peak. 例21 Using the procedure described previously, the partition function can be evaluated. →the partition function can be evaluated by using the procedure described previously. Or, →Using the procedure described previously, we can evaluate the partition function. 4 Awkward Omissions of Verbs and Auxiliary Verbs Be sure that each subject in a compound sentence has the proper verbs and auxiliary verbs. 例22 The eluant was added to the column, and the samples collected in 10-mL increments. →The eluant was added to the column, and the samples were collected in 10-mL increments. [补充] 科技英语写作表达的几个问题平山健三英语化学论文写作方法市原英语论文的写作方法周春晖科技英语写作英文现刊1 简明2 富于变幻3 辨析近义词4 语法修辞及其他（1）由which, that, where 引出的从句（2）不要在一个名词前用一串词进行修饰（3）词序（4）利用时态表示事件发生的先后关系（5）介词1) 与描写实验过程有关的介词2) 由相同介词引起的相互平行的对等结构1 简明例As can be seen from Fig.1, growth is rapid. →Growth is rapid (Fig.1). Fig.1 shows that growth is rapid. As shown in Fig.1 …→Fig.1 shows …The molar enthalpy of decomposition was determined to be 62.38 kJ/mol by means of thee third peak area in DSC curve. →The molar enthalpy of decomposition was determined to be 62.38 kJ/mol from (or by)thee third peak area in DSC curve. 下述句式可以更加简捷的形式表达常以介词或副词代替a number of = several, some at a temperature of at at some future time later at the present time (moment) now a very limited number of few by means of by or with due to the fact that because or since during the time that while for a period of for for the reason that because or since from the standpoint of according to greater (or higher) number of more if conditions are such that if compared with A, B was bigger B was bigger than A considerable amount of much considerable number (or proportion) many or most in a careless manner carelessly in a considerable number of cases often in a similar manner similarly in all cases always, all in any case anyhow in consequence of this fact therefore in excess of more than in few cases sometimes, rarely, seldom in many cases chemists are …many chemists are …in order to to in regard to in relation to in respect to in the case of in the context of 以上可使用适当的介词，例如in, for, about, with in some cases sometimes in terms of in in the case of sodium with sodium in the event that if in the near future soon in the temperature range of between …and …℃in view of the fact that since or because large number(s) of many large proportion of many of great importance important of such hardness that so hard that on the basis of from, by, because on the order of about over the past few years recently, in recent years owing to the fact that since, because a small number of a few subsequent to after a sufficient number of enough with reference to about prior to before It is apparent that …Apparently …, hence, thus It appears that …Apparently …It is interesting to note that …Interestingly …It was in 1977 that …In 1977 …It is clear that …Clearly …It is our conclusion that …We conclude that …It is possible that …It may be said that …Perhaps …, Possibly, Probably It is often the case that …Often …It is possible that the cause is …The cause may be …可去掉It, 改用动词，而不用名词It is the aim of the present investigation to provide …→This investigation is aimed to providing …两种类型的复杂句及其简化有被动式从句与主动式从句之分[ 被动式从句] He uses an instrument which is called a spectroscope. →He uses an instrument called a spectroscope. （简化为后置的过去分词）带有介词+which 句子的简化(1) at which →where Airport is a place at which special attention is paid to the weather. →Airport is a place where special attention is paid to the weather. (2) by means of which →whereby A fuse box is a device by means of which excessive loads are avoided. →A fuse box is a device whereby excessive loads are avoided. Definition of thermal analysis A general