Writing in the Science(一)

2.6 A few grammar tips

• the word 'data' is plural(复数)
• Affect is the verb "to influence": The class affected her.
• As a noun, affect denotes feeling or emotion shown by facial expression or body language: The soldiers seen on televison had been carefully chosen for blandness of affect.
• Effect is the noun form of this influence:The class had an effect on her.
• As a verb, effect means to bring about or to cause, as in "to effect a change"
• Compare to = to point out similarities between different things
• Compare with **(used more ofter in science) = to point out differences between similar things
• 'That' is the restrictive (defining) pronoun(限制性定义代词): The vial that contained her RNA was lost.
• 'Which' is the nonrestrictive (non-defining) pronoun: The vial, which contained her RNA, was lost.
• That/which: key question: Is your clause essential or non-essential?
• That: the essential clause cannont be elliminated without changing the meaning of the sentence.
• Which: The non-essential clause can be eliminated without altering the basic meaning of the sentence(and must be set off by commas)
• Do not use "they" or "their" when the subject is singular. To avoid gender choice, turn to a plural.
• Each student worries about their grade. or Each student worries about her grade. Better: All students worry about their grades.