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Task A: Understanding active and passive voiceNext page
Task C: Avoiding common errors in scientific writingIndex page
Workshops indexTask B: Avoiding superfluous words
Summary
Clarity and brevity in scientific writing can be achieved by using as few words as necessary. Every superfluous word makes it more difficult for the reader to understand your meaning. Superfluous words can be tautological; they may be redundant 'padding' words that add no meaning to the sentence; or your meaning might be clearer by using a verb instead of abstract nouns.
What will I learn?
- To recognise and avoid tautologies
- To recognise and avoid redundancies of expression
- To use verbs instead of abstract nouns
Recognising and avoiding tautologies
A tautology is when you say the same thing twice using different words. Some examples are shown below (adapted from Barrass, R. (2002). Scientists must write: A guide to better writing for scientists, engineers and students. (2nd ed.). London, UK: Routledge, p. 61).
| Tautology | Correct usage |
|---|---|
| reverted back | reverted |
| in actual fact | in fact |
| a specific example | an example |
| in two equal halves | in halves |
| different varieties | varieties |
| eradicate completely | eradicate |
| percolate down | percolate |
| grouped together | grouped |
| fewer in number | fewer |
| exact duplicate | duplicate |
Activity
Choose the most appropriate sentence for scientific writing.
Exercise 1
Exercise 2
Exercise 3
Some other common tautologies to be avoided include:
Overexaggerated, previous experience, plans for the future, positive benefits.
More info
Recognising and avoiding redundancies of expression
Redundancies of expression can take several forms.
- Redundant words can be eliminated.
Some examples of redundant words are shown here (underlined):
- all of
- square in shape
- at the present time
- at this point in time
- few in number
- exposed at the surface; or, surface outcrops
- mining is carried on extensively throughout the area
- near to
- pyrite, chalcopyrite, and also free gold
- the rock is dark green in colour
- Redundant expressions or phrases can
be replaced by single words.
Some examples of redundant expressions and the appropriate replacement word are shown here (underlined):- in close proximity to - near
- in the vicinity of - near
- in those areas where - where
- carry out - perform
- fall off - decline
Activity
Read these sentences, identify the redundancies of expression and rewrite the sentences in a clearer and simpler form in the scratchpad provided.
Exercise 1
It can be seen that the fastest growth rate occurred in animals given higher concentrations of hormone.
Exercise 2
From the results, it would appear that there was no difference between the two treatments.
Exercise 3
The experiment was abandoned because of the fact that a number of agar plates were contaminated.
As shown in the sentences above, your writing can often be clarified and simplified by avoiding unnecessary words. When you are next editing a piece of your writing, look carefully at each sentence to identify and remove any superfluous words.
More info
- Conciseness: methods of eliminating wordiness
- Improving your writing style - in particular, refer to 'Wordiness' under 'Handout Contents' on the top right-hand side of this page.
Using verbs instead of abstract nouns
A common technique in science writing is to change verbs or clauses into nouns. While this can be useful, because it sometimes leads to more formal and concise writing, if used inappropriately it can make your writing dense and difficult to follow, or lead to redundant words.
For example:
Extinction of many species has occurred following the destruction of their habitats.
Many species became extinct when their habitats were destroyed.
The abstract nouns (extinction and destruction) and the verb phrase (has occurred) have been replaced by the more direct verbs (extinct and destroyed).
Activity
Read the sentences carefully, then try to change the red noun into a verb and rewrite the sentences in a clearer and simpler form in the scratchpad provided.
Exercise 1
Observations of feeding behaviour were made every evening.
Exercise 2
An investigation was conducted on two different varieties of wheat.
Exercise 3
Pollination of casuarinas is carried out by wind.
Many general verb phrases, such as were made, were carried out, was conducted, were taken, are often superfluous, and can be removed by looking for the more direct verb that has been used as a noun.