Writing Tips: The Word “Prove” Generally, practicing scientists refrain from using the word prove and its variations (proof, proven, etc) “Prove” is avoided because it is considered too strong. The word “prove” implies that, say, a hypothesis is not only correct, but also correct to the exclusion of other possible hypotheses. Instead, scientists use the words “confirm” and its variations (confirmation, confirmatory, disconfirm, disconfirmation, disconfirmatory). These variations on the word ‘confirm’ convey the idea that the data are consistent with a hypothesis, but that other hypotheses are not ruled out. One exception is the use of “prove” or “proof” in mathematics, where pure logic (rather than empirical observation) is the method of knowing. In that case, the “prove” or “proof” is appropriate.

Writing Tips: Prepositions Preposition – a word that relates a noun or pronoun to another word in the sentence. Some examples of prepositions include words that can fill in the following blank: “The mouse ran (blank) the trap”. To, of, in, out, up, down, over, between, within, around, under, against, etc.. Prepositions are the bane of clarity! Clarity is reduced when there are more than two prepositions between verbs within a sentence. Rephrase your sentences to avoid this lapse in clarity. Many careful writers avoid ending sentences with prepositions. Within a sentence, the ending is its “Stress Position” – the section that conveys the greatest emphasis. Don’t waste that emphasis on a preposition, i.e., a mere connecting word.

Writing Tips: Succinctness The phrase “In order to…” can almost always be reduced to the word “to” without loss of meaning. Succinct writing is better understood. Similarly the phrase “often times” can be reduced to “often”. The 35-word rule – Sentences that are longer than 35 words are often difficult for readers to comprehend quickly. Briefer sentences improve comprehension. (MS Word has a function that will automatically count the words in any sentence that you highlight.)

Writing Tips: Ambiguous Comparison Ambiguous Comparison – Occurs when the relationship among items is unclear. Example: “I like pizza more than my mother.” It is unclear whether I like pizza more than my mother does, or whether I like pizza more than I like my mother. Suggestions: Rephrase by introducing ‘do’ or ‘does’, or by using the verb twice. I like pizza more than my mother does. I like pizza more than I like my mother.

Writing Tips: Ambiguous Negation Ambiguous Negation – Occurs when it is unclear what is being negated. Example: “Mother told the child not to cry and answer.” It is clear that the child is not to cry, but not clear whether the child should answer. Suggestion: If more than one word is being negated, place the word ‘not’ explicitly before each word/phrase being negated. Example: Mother told the child not to cry and not to answer. Suggestion: If only one word/phrase is being negated, place the negation near to the end of the sentence. Example: Mother told the child to answer and not to cry.

Writing Tips: Ambiguous Negation 2 Ambiguous Negation – Also occurs when it is unclear whether a proposition or its justification is being negated. Example: “I don’t support idea X because of idea Y”. This could mean, “I oppose idea X. This is because of my support for idea Y, which is incompatible with X.” Alternatively this could mean, “I do support idea X, but NOT because of idea Y. Instead, my support for X is based on idea Z (not idea Y). In the first case, proposition X is negated. In the second case, the justification for proposition X is negated. One solution here is simply to separate the statement about the proposition (X), and the statement about its justification (Y).

Writing Tips: Incorrect Negation Incorrect Negation– Occurs when the negation is misplaced within a sentence: Example: The following two sentences have different meanings. All that glitters is not gold. Not all that glitters is gold. Things That Glitter Gold All That Glitters Gold