Scientific English: A Guide for Scientists and Other Professionals [Paperback]

Robert A. Day (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0897747224 | ISBN-13: 978-0897747226 | Publication Date: June 1992

This handbook covers grammatical errors that are most likely to occur and most often overlooked. The author discusses problems in punctuation, word selection, tenses, sentence structure, prefixes and suffixes - all geared toward scientific writing.

Editorial Reviews

Review

.,."a succinct guide for writing "with simple, straight-forward accuracy.""-Technical Communication --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Book Description

The need for clear communication without the possibility for misinterpretation is critical in today's scientific world. While a failure to clearly state a scientific result might just mean the loss of a new technique or methodology, it could just as easily cause devastating results, such as a massive oil spill, a catastrophic transportation accident, or an uncontrolled epidemic.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Oryx Pr (June 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0897747224
• ISBN-13: 978-0897747226
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,259,674 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

72 of 73 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best short book for scientific/technical writing, February 11, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Scientific English (Paperback)

I'm a technical writer by profession, and taught technical writing for 10 years. I've used this book and Day's "How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper" as textbooks, as well as in the workplace. This is the most succinct, practical, and helpful guide for scientific and technical writing on the market -- and I've looked at an awfully lot of guides! It's easy to use, and often very funny. Also, it's a good example of the clarity and brevity he advocates (this is not, unfortunately, true of many technical writing textbooks). Finally, I heartily concur with Day's belief that "Simplicity of expression is a natural result of profound thought." I've heard many scientists deplore the poor state of scientific education in the U.S. and the rise of "bad science." In my opinion, this is the fault of scientists themselves for not making their methods and results more accessible to the general public. Day's guidelines are an important step in the right direction, and I hope more scientists follow them.

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good book, but . . ., August 27, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Scientific English (Paperback)

I have worked as a science writer and editor for years and purchased this book with the intention of using it when working with investigators writing papers, grants applications, etc. (especially with those investigators for whom English may be a second language). Overall I think the book is quite good, and provides clear and concise advice and guidance (as well as numerous examples) on proper English language.

Perhaps it is just a pet peeve of mine, but I take issue with Mr. Day's discussion of the use of the words "that" and "which." Although he provides examples of how the meaning of a sentence can change with the alternate use of "that" and "which," his conclusion is that, if it doesn't change the sentence, use either. To quote from the book, Mr. Day says, "Who gives a damn?"

Well, I do. I'm not a "which-hunter," as Mr. Day describes some, but there are specific instances where these words are to be used, even if the meaning of a sentence doesn't change with either use, and he acknowledges this. Advocating a dismissive attitude about the rules is tantamount to propagating poor English in a society already replete with poor speakers and writers.

Despite this, I would recommend this book to anyone wishing to improve his command of the English language.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and humorous, January 11, 2007

By 

Bruno Branco Castro "bbc" (Portugal) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Scientific English (Paperback)

An excellent aid for scientists whose native tongue is not English, but also a useful aid for any person that wishes to improve their written English skills. I mostly like the witty fashion and simplicity in which is written. In fact, the main message from this textbook is that in simplicity lies the secret to adequately express your ideas, whichever is the language. Furthermore, it provides useful rules and hints for the proper use of expressions, words, adverbs, adjectives, etc. Mandatory!