Some useful information for the writers.

Use the past tense to express an action or a condition that occurred at a specific, definite time in the past, as when discussing another researcher's work and when reporting your results.

Use the present perfect tenseto express a past action or condition that did not occur at a specific, definite time or to describe an action beginning in the past and continuing to the present

Use the subjunctive to describe only conditions that are contrary to fact or improbable; do not use the subjunctive to describe simple conditions or contingencies.

Use would with care.Would can correctly be used to mean habitually, as “The child would walk about the classroom,” or to express a conditional action, as “We would sign the letter if we could.” Do not use would to hedge; for example, change it would appear that to it appears that.

A verb must agree in number (i.e., singular or plural) with its subject, regardless of intervening phrases that begin with such words as together with, including, plus, and as well as.

The plural form of some nouns of foreign origin, particularly those that end in the letter a, may appear to be singular and can cause authors to select a verb that does not agree in number with the noun.

Collective nouns(e.g., series, set, faculty, or pair) can refer either to several individuals or to a single unit. If the action of the verb is on the group as a whole, treat the noun as a singular noun. If the action of the verb is on members of the group as individuals, treat the noun as a plural noun. The context (i.e., your emphasis) determines whether the action is on the group or on individuals.

The pronoun none can also be singular or plural. When the noun that follows it is singular, use a singular verb; when the noun is plural, use a plural verb. If you mean “not one,” use not one instead of none and use a singular verb.

When the subject is composed of a singular and a plural noun joined by or/nor,the verb agrees with the noun that is closer.

Incorrect:

Neither the participants nor the confederate were in the room.

Correct:

Neither the participants nor the confederate was in the room.

or

Neither the confederate nor the participants were in the room.

If the number of the subject changes,retain the verb in each clause.

Pronouns replace nouns. Each pronoun should refer clearly to its antecedent and should agree with the antecedent in number and gender.

A pronoun must agree in number (i.e., singular or plural) with the noun it replaces.

A pronoun must agree in gender (i.e., masculine, feminine, or neuter) with the noun it replaces. This rule extends to relative pronouns (pronouns that Jink subordinate clauses to nouns). Use who for human beings; use that or which for animals and for things.

Use neuter pronouns to refer to animals (e.g., “the dog ... it”) unless the animals have been named.

Pronouns can be subjects or objectsof verbs or prepositions. Use who as the subject of a verb and whom as the object of a verb or a preposition. You can determine whether a relative pronoun is the subject or object of a verb by turning the subordinate clause around and substituting a personal pronoun. If you can substitute he or she, who is correct; if you can substitute him or her, whom is the correct pronoun.

In a phrase consisting of a pronoun or noun plus a present participle (e.g., running, flying) that is used as an object of a preposition, the participle can be either a noun or a modifier of a noun, depending on the intended meaning. When you use a participle as a noun, make the other pronoun or noun possessive.

Exercise 4. Complete the following sentences with your own endings.

1) Your theoretical interest or concerns may …

2) The analysis should lead you to interrogate your own …

3) Framing the question is not always easy, and you need to …

4) The topic is usually framed as a ′problem′ or question in answer. The topic statement will invite your reader to …

5) The research topic formulates a problem that is worthy of research. The topic should be stated clearly and …

6) A good research proposal identifies …

7) Your proposal needs to show how the proposed research relates to …

8) The orthodox way to do this to write a brief version of the literature review on a traditional science. Another is to outline the kinds of theoretical sources that …

9) Methodology is the research methods you intended to develop or employ and their justification. It is more than a description of the techniques or procedures proposed, and should …

Exercise 5. Find synonyms and antonyms to the words given in the table.

Exercise 6. Fill in the blanks with the words from the box.

When you develop clear writing _____ and use correct grammar, you show _____ not only for accurately presenting your knowledge and ideas but also easing the reader’s ______. Another consideration in writing is that of maintaining the reader’s ______. Such a concern demands the ____ ______ use of language. The text is discussing the ______ the importance of choosing words that are _______ to your subject and free from bias, which is another way to achive _____ ______ and precise, unambiguous communication.

Date: 2016-04-22; view: 782