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Grammar

Subject-verb agreement

The verb should agree with the subject of the sentence.

Example 1. Subject-verb agreement
example

These upper bounds allow us to generalize …​
example

These upper bounds of the coefficients allow us to generalize …​
example

These upper bounds of the derivative allow us to generalize …​
comment

In all examples above, "upper bounds" is the subject.

Most mistakes with subject-verb agreement occur when the noun immediately before the verb is plural (singular) but the actual subject is singular (plural) or when the subject is a verb that functions as a noun (i.e., gerund) followed by a plural noun (see examples below).

Mistake

  • The author uses a verb that does not agree with the subject.

Remedy

  • Identify the subject and use the proper verb form.

Example 2. Subject-verb agreement
incorrect

The variation of the Re and Rct values are shown in Fig. 1.
correct

The variation of the Re and Rct values is shown in Fig. 1.
comment

The subject is "variation", so we need "variation …​ is".
incorrect

The calculations used in the ELISA analysis was …​
correct

The calculations used in the ELISA analysis were …​
comment

The subject is "calculations", so we need "calculations …​ were".
incorrect

Using the hazard ratios derived from the Cox proportional hazards model are likely to …​
comment

"hazard ratios" is not the subject.
correct

Using the hazard ratios derived from the Cox proportional hazards model is likely to …​
comment

The actual subject is "using", so we need "using …​ is".

Active voice and passive voice

A sentence is generally written in the passive voice or the active voice.

Example 3. Active voice and passive voice
example

(active) We measured the volume of the displaced liquid …​
example

(passive) The volume of the displaced liquid was measured …​
Mistake

  • The author mixes active voice with passive voice in a sentence.

Remedy

  • Use either the passive voice or the active voice in a sentence.

Example 4. Mixing of active voice and passive voice
incorrect

…​ the mass of the sample was calculated and then we conducted an analysis …​
correct

…​ the mass of the sample was calculated and then an analysis was conducted …​
correct

…​ we calculated the mass of the sample and then conducted an analysis …​

Consistent form

Elements in a list should use a consistent form.

Example 5. Consistent form
example

…​ method is used for the selection of influential parameters and the identification of positive and negative effects.
example

…​ method is used for selecting influential parameters and identifying positive and negative effects.
Mistake

  • The author uses inconsistent forms.

Remedy

  • Use one form for all elements.

Example 6. Consistent form
incorrect

Its structure was studied using XRD and FTIR was used to study its chemical composition.
comment

Two forms are used: (i) "X was studied using Y" and (ii) "Y was used to study X".
correct

Its structure was studied using XRD and its chemical composition was studied using FTIR.
comment

One form is used ("X was studied using Y").
correct

XRD was used to study its structure and FTIR was used to study its chemical composition.
comment

One form is used ("Y was used to study X").
incorrect

…​ the carrior should be inert, nontoxic, and high stability.
comment

We have "[adj.], [adj.], and [noun]".
correct

…​ the carrior should be inert, nontoxic, and highly stable.
comment

We have "[adj.], [adj.], and [adj.]".
incorrect

…​ the process involved dipping the TiO2 film into an ethanol solution, rinsed with ethanol, and then dipped into …​
correct

…​ the process involved dipping the TiO2 film into an ethanol solution, rinsing it with ethanol, and then dipping it into …​