Harold is about to submit his scientific manuscript but has doubts about using the right words. The document provides a guide to 10 pairs of commonly confused words in scientific writing, explaining the differences and providing examples of correct usage for each pair. These include namely/such as/including, e.g./i.e./namely, almost/nearly, around/about/approximately, a number of/the number of, show/reveal/indicate, alternate/alternative, number/amount, hypothesis/theory, and as a result/based on the results. The document aims to help Harold and other researchers avoid mistakes and choose the appropriate wording.

1. A quick guide to scientific writing
Part 1
Commonly confused words

2. Meet Harold.
HAROLD’S SUDDEN DOUBT
Don’t worry, Harold.
Here’s a quick guide to some commonly confused words in scientific writing. This
will help you avoid making these mistakes and choose the most appropriate word.
Harold, pay attention to the
simplest of words. It is essential
for you use the right words to
convey your ideas. After all, this
is a scientific manuscript.
Have I used the
right words?
I wonder…
He’s about to submit his scientific research manuscript to a journal. Just as he
finishes, he remembers the advice of a senior colleague.

3. 3
SOME WORDS THAT ARE OFTEN MISUSED BY AUTHORS
1. Namely | Such as | Including 6. Show | Reveal | Indicate
2. e.g. | i.e. | Namely 7. Alternate | Alternative
3. Almost | Nearly 8. Number | Amount
4. About | Around | Approximately 9. Hypothesis | Theory
5. A number of | The number of 10. As a result | Based on the results

4. Each of these words indicates an elaboration of items,
but the type of elaboration differs.
namely such as including
Perhaps a few more examples will help Harold understand the differences better.
Here’s an example:
“Fast food items such as burgers, fries, and aerated
drinks are high on fat and sugar but low on nutrition.”
Such as is used before some examples of fast food. The
fast food menu is known to contain several items.
1.
Namely an exhaustive list of all items
Such as – representative examples of some items
Including – listing a few items (there are more)

5. “Various types of pesticides, such as bactericides, fungicides, and larvicides,
were tested.”
indicates some examples of pesticides that were tested; other types were
tested
“Three types of pesticides were tested, namely, bactericides, fungicides, and
larvicides.”
used before all three types of pesticides studied
“Different types of pesticides, including bactericides, fungicides, and
larvicides, were tested.”
used before some examples of pesticides
namely such as including

6. e.g. namelyi.e.
e.g. = for example
“A number of weather variables were recorded, e.g., precipitation,
temperature, and relative humidity.”
The term variables is explained by giving three examples; perhaps,
evaporation and the intensity of radiation were also recorded.
i.e. = in other words – separates two versions of the same statement
“Data on precipitation, i.e., rainfall and snowfall, were collected from local
weather offices.”
Here, i.e. explains the term precipitation by stating that it means rain and
snowfall.
namely = an exhaustive list of all items/members of a group
“The present paper evaluates the effect of major weather variables, namely,
precipitation, temperature, and relative humidity, on crop growth.”
Namely introduces all the weather variables evaluated.
2.

7. almost nearly
Do not differ so much in meaning but in the contexts in which they are
used.
Almost Nearly
Typically followed by Typically followed by a number
– adverbs (almost certainly) (nearly 2000 fans)
– adjectives (almost impossible)
– pronouns (almost anything)
– prepositions (almost by definition)
Let us look at some more examples
Almost Nearly
“It is almost 3:00 pm.”
Very close to 3:00 pm, maybe 2:55
“It is nearly 3:00 pm.”
Perhaps, it is 2:40 pm
Never used with a negative
“Drug A is almost as effective as Drug B.”
“Drug A is not almost as effective as Drug B.”
Can be used with a negative
“Drug B is not nearly as effective as Drug A.”
3.

8. Harold, you are not alone.
Many researchers get confused about these words and phrases.
Let’s try understanding them better.
Whoa! I didn’t know about
these differences? What about
around, about, and
approximately?
I also often get confused
between a number of and the
number of.

9. around approximatelyabout
Around – sometimes more precise than “about”
Approximately – used to indicate a close estimate
Have similar meanings when used with numbers
Usage depends on context
About may be more common in British English and around in American English
“Each plot contained about 17 trees.” (an estimate, not precise)
“You are expected to reach home around 7:00 pm.” (between 6:45 and 7:15; more
accurate than “around”)
“According to autopsy reports, the victim was murdered approximately 10 hours ago.”
(a fairly accurate estimate)
About – A rough indication of the number
4.

10. a number of the number of
• Indicates more than one of
something (several)
• Always followed by plural
forms
“A number of skyscrapers
were visible in the distance.”
(to indicate several
skyscrapers, were is used)
• Indicates the exact
number that makes up a
collection or a group
• Always followed by a
plural noun and a
singular verb
“The number of skyscrapers
in the city is 225.”
(the exact number is 225)
5.

11. reveal indicateshow
Each talks about a data source.
Each is commonly used with figures, tables, or graphs.
Show
Indicate
Reveal
The conclusion is obvious from the
data; no interpretation is required.
The conclusion is not obvious but
requires some thinking on part of the
reader.
The data leads you to suspect something but
you can’t be sure.
“Table 1 shows that the number of
women in academia increased only
marginally from 1996 to 2014.”
“The high frequency of tremors recorded
reveals that the island is on the brink of a
major tectonic shift.”
“Previous studies have indicated a positive
correlation between placebos and mood
swings.”
6.

12. 12
alternate alternative
• An option that replaces another
option
“We had to choose an alternate
route because of the roadwork on
Elm street.”
• Two possibilities only one of
which can occur at a given time
“My career coach has scheduled a
session with me every alternate
day beginning Monday.” (Monday,
Wednesday, Friday)
• A second option
“There is no temporary
alternative to the current job
freeze in the market.”
• Options or choices
“The sun and the wind are
alternative sources of energy.”
TIP: There is a slight difference in the way these words are used in American
and British English. Check the language style your target journal follows and
refer to a good dictionary to use the preferred word.
7.

13. 13
number | amount
NUMBER
Used with quantities that can be
measured/counted, like samples, people,
jobs
“The study took several years to
complete because it involved a large
number of specimens.”
AMOUNT
Used with quantities that cannot be
measured/counted, like money,
information, time
“The experimental group was allowed to
regulate the amount of sugar each recipe
should contain.”
The most common mix-up occurs when authors use “number” instead of “amount.”
“The amount of people who still believe in gender stereotypes is surprisingly large.”
“The number of people who still believe in gender stereotypes is surprisingly large.”
People is a countable noun; therefore, number should be used.
8.

14. 14
• Explains how things work
• A speculative guess that
has yet to be tested
• Based on limited data
“My hypothesis is that single
medical practitioners in their
30s are more likely to be
single adoptive parents.”
Further study is required to
prove this right or wrong.
• Explains general principles
of phenomena
• Has been extensively tested
and is generally accepted
• Strongly backed by data
“Einstein’s theory of relativity
has been tested and results
verify his conclusion.”
The theory is still being
tested: a single piece of
negative evidence can
disprove it.
hypothesis9. theory

15. 15
as a result based on the results
As a result
Means “because of”; used when
one event is the cause of another
“The results of the experiment
were inconclusive. As a result,
the research had to be
repeated.”
Because the results were
inconclusive, the research had to
be conducted again.
Based on the results
Refers to inferences drawn from
results
“Based on the results of the
experiment, we concluded that
bats are nocturnal creatures.”
The results of the experiment
indicated that bats are
nocturnal.
10.

16. DID YOU FIND THIS HELPFUL, HAROLD?
Thanks! These tips certainly helped me correct a few word
choice mistakes in my scientific manuscript. I feel more
confident about my writing.
Wait a minute. I have an idea! I will regularly read scientific
literature in my field to understand the right vocabulary
and writing style to be used.
Harold, we hope these tips helped you understand the nuances of some
commonly used (or misused) words in scientific writing. You can always refer to a
dictionary if you are confused.
Why, Harold, that’s a great idea! Go for it!

17. Have more questions on scientific writing or the publication process?
Ask our publication expert Dr. Eddy!
Visit: www.editage.com/insights/ask-dr-eddy
For more resources on manuscript preparation, submission, and publication, visit
www.editage.com/insights
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