4. WORD CHOICE AND USAGE

The following is a brief compilation of some common problems with word choice and usage that have occurred in engineering theses and dissertations.

affect, effect
Affect is a verb meaning "to influence." Effect is a noun meaning "result." Effect could also be a verb meaning "to cause something to happen" (e.g., you could effect a change). In most cases when a verb is needed, affect is the word intended.
 
and/or
This phrase is overused, and usually just and or or will suffice in context. If both meanings are intended, use some construction (such as one or the other or both) that will present the meaning more clearly.
 
assure, ensure, insure
To assure means to make (someone else) confident about something when doubt may be present. Ensure and insure both mean to make certain of something. Insure also means to guarantee against financial loss. Though ensure is preferable, you can use insure, but be consistent.
 
because, since
To avoid any ambiguity, do not use since as a synonym for because. Use since only in reference to time (e.g., "Since 1947, there have been great strides made in the development of transistors").
 
compliment, complement
A compliment is a remark of esteem, praise, or affection. A complement is something that fills up or completes another. Outside of the thesis acknowledgments, complement will probably be the correct term.
 
comprise
The whole comprises the parts. Therefore, you could say, "The machine comprises components 1, 2, and 3." Or you could say, "Components 1, 2, and 3 compose [or make up] the machine." It would be incorrect to say either "Components 1, 2, and 3 comprise the machine" or "The machine is comprised of components 1, 2, and 3."
 
data, datum
Data is the plural form of datum. Data therefore takes a plural verb.
 
effect
See affect, effect
 
e.g., i.e.
The abbreviation e.g. (Latin, exempli gratia) means for example. The abbreviation i.e. (Latin, id est) means that is. Both are followed by commas. The punctuation preceding these could be a comma, semicolon, or dash, depending on the magnitude of the break in continuity.
 
ensure
See assure, ensure, insure
 
et al.
Note the correct punctuation of this phrase (not et. al.).
 
fewer, less
Fewer applies to countable units, less to quantity. Fewer usually takes a plural noun (e.g., fewer interactions), and less takes a singular noun (e.g., less radiation).
 
i.e.
See e.g., i.e.
 
in nature
Unless you are talking about hiking or some other outdoor activity, eliminate this meaningless, overused phrase from your writing: "The problem was difficult in nature" could be edited to "The problem was difficult" with no loss of meaning.
 
insure
See assure, ensure, insure
 
its, it's
It's is a contraction of it is. Because theses and dissertations are formal documents, you should avoid contractions such as this. Its is the possessive form of it (e.g., "Its motor ceased to function properly").
 
lay, lie
Lay means to place or put, lie to rest or recline. Lay takes a direct object, lie does not. If you are unsure which verb to use, try using place or rest in place of the verb to see which meaning fits.
 
less
See fewer, less.
 
not only . . . but (also)
The elements in this construction must have parallel construction: "Igor not only washed the dishes but also dried them." There is no comma before but (also) unless it introduces a complete sentence (e.g., "Not only can Superman bend steel in his bare hands, but he can leap tall buildings in a single bound").
 
percent, percentage
Percent could be a noun, adjective, or adverb. When used with a specific number, use the % symbol: "We measured a 45% error rate." Percentage is a noun meaning part of the whole measured in hundredths: "We measured the percentage of error."
 
since
See because, since.
 
that, which
That is used for restrictive clauses, those containing information essential for understanding. Which is used for nonrestrictive clauses, those containing information not essential for understanding. Compare these two example sentences:

The dog that is on the bed needs a bath.
The dog, which is on the bed, needs a bath.

In the first sentence, there could be more than one dog, and the phrase on the bed defines which dog is meant. In the second sentence, there is only one dog; the phrase on the bed merely adds some descriptive information. Now note the following example:

The dog which is on the bed needs a bath.

In this sentence, the meaning is ambiguous. Proper use of which versus that and correctly adding commas would clarify the meaning.

very
This adverb is overused and often adds nothing to the sentence. In most cases it can be deleted without a loss of meaning: "The result occurred very quickly" could be changed to "The result occurred quickly."
 
which
See that, which.
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Last modified April 10, 1998