“As a result” is often used as a conjunctive adverbial phrase to indicate cause-and-effect relationships; in this sense, it is synonymous with “therefore,” “hence,” “consequently,” “as a consequence,” and “accordingly.” Here are some sentences in which “as a result” is used in this way. The molecule has bulky substituents in the ortho positions; as a [...]
A series of weekly posts discussing revisions to a sentence from the scientific literature, highlighting various common grammar, syntax, and usage issues—and ways to address them. This week’s sentence is… The sequence can readily be programmed; that is, it is possible to start from a common set of reagents and steer all levels of selectivity [...]
Pick up any usage book and you’ll be sure find a discussion of dangling participles. Participles are formed from verbs but act as adjectives, and as such, they require an appropriate noun to modify. When they fail to meet this requirement, they are said to dangle. Here, I’m going to focus on a specific participle [...]
The placement of adverbs—which modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs—can substantially change the meaning of a sentence. You’ve probably run across example sentences illustrating the importance of correctly placing the adverb “only”: Only I drive red cars; no one else drives them. I only drive red cars; I do not park them. I drive only [...]
Part of my job as an ESL editor is to help authors choose the best word to precisely convey his or her intended meaning—le mot juste. For example, the results of an experiment can indicate, suggest, imply, or mean something. A laboratory scientist can employ a technique, method, procedure, or system. Which word conveys exactly [...]
Grammar Handbooks Alexander, L. G. Longman English Grammar. London: Longman, 1988. Crews, Frederick. The Random House Handbook. 4th ed. New York: Random House, 1984. Fernald, James G. English Grammar Simplified. New York: HarperPerennial, 1968. Fowler, H. Ramsey. The Little, Brown Handbook. 3rd ed. Boston: Little, Brown, 1986. Hodges, John C., and Mary E. Whitten. Harbrace [...]
