本篇总结一些科技写作中常见的英文错误。实例解析由经验丰富的专业学术编辑或英语母语人士提供,教你使用地道的英文表达。
1 量与率
原文:A new method was used to measure methane oxidationamount and rate in marine sediments.
编辑:动作性名词可直接表示参数绝对量;如果希望使用 amount,建议按所有格形式。
A new method was used to measure the amount and rate ofmethane oxidationin marine sediments.
2 语言风格 UK or US
原文:We analyzed the sulphate concentrations in shoots and roots of different crops (e.g., wheat, tomato andmelon).
编辑:大多数期刊支持英式或美式英语风格,但必须保持全文一致。注意以下两个例句的不同之处。
英式:We analysed the sulphate concentrations in shoots and roots of three crops, i.e. wheat, tomato and melon.
美式:We analyzed the sulfate concentrations in shoots and roots of different crops, i.e.,wheat, tomato, and melon.
3 本研究
原文:Anderson[8] reported that long-term chemical fertilization negatively impacts yield and yield components of wheat. In this study, yield reduction varied between years and cultivars.
编辑:在总结文献和本文结果时,应明确信息来源。例句中 "this" 所指的对象是本文,而不是 Anderson [8]。正确的写法是使用 the present 或 the current.
Anderson[8] reported that .... In the present study, yield reduction varied between years and cultivars.
4 否定词
原文:Soluble iron wasn't detected in the treatment group.
编辑:科技论文中避免使用否定词 not,可替换为 un-... 或者 non-...。即使使用 not,也不能与 be 或 can 缩写。
另,例句中的短语可能有歧义:一是没有进行检测;二是检测了但未达到最低检测范围。
Soluble iron was undetectable in the treatment group.
类似的:can't 应改为 be unable to
5 化合物名称
原文:2, 4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4-D) can increase the mutation rate of stamen coloration in flowers.
编辑:化合物名称位于句首时,以数字开头的,数字之后首字母大写;含有多个数字的,数字间以逗号间隔,无空格。
2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) can increase the mutation rate of stamen coloration in flowers.