Student admissions by subject2002

7. Abbreviations can be confusing.

PC , for example, can mean Police Constable in Britain, personal computer and also politically correct. CD may stand for compact disc or corps diplomatique . PM could be Prime Minister or post meridiem. It is useful to be aware of these potential confusions.

8. Certain abbreviations are found in all types of academic writing.

They include: cf. = compare e.g. = for example et al. = and others used in giving names of multiple authors Fig. = figure for labelling charts and graphs ibid. = in the same place to refer to source mentioned immediately before i.e. = that is K = thousand op. cit. = in the source mentioned previously p.a. = yearly pp. = pages re = with reference to

9. Other abbreviations are very subject specific and may be special to one article.

In that case they need explaining: … the developing countries with the highest per-capita dietary energy supplies DES … one delegate expressed surprise that Call Centres CCs should …

10. Explain the abbreviations in the following sentences.

a The PM told MPs that the NHS needed reform. b The failure rate among IT projects reaches 70 Smith et al., 1997. c The world’s most populous country i.e. China has joined the WTO. d NB. CVs must be no longer than 3 sides of A4. e See the OECD’s recent report on the UK. f The EU hopes to achieve a standard rate of VAT. g The CEO intends to raise spending on RD by 40. h Fig.4. Trade patterns on the w.w.w. 1997–2001. i The WHO is concerned about the spread of TB. j Director of PR required – salary approx. 45K. k GM technology is leading to advances in many fields, e.g. forestry. l Prof. Wren claimed that the quality of M.Phil. and Ph.D. research was falling.

1. Adverbs are used in academic texts in a variety of ways.

Among the most important are: a to provide more detail, with verbs and adjectives: Reasonably good data are available for only … … decomposition eventually ceases in modern landfills … b individually, often at the beginning of sentences, to introduce new points: Currently , the Earth’s atmosphere appears to be … Alternatively , the use of non-conventional renewable energies … NB. These can be similar in function to conjunctions.

2. Adverbs linked to verbs and adjectives usually fall into three groups.

a Time when? previously published retrospectively examined b Degree how much? declined considerably contribute substantially c Manner in what way? medically complicated remotely located

3. Adverbs used individually need to be employed with care.

It is dangerous to over-use them, for they may convey a sense of the author’s voice commenting on the topic. As the academic writer aims to be objective, adverbs like fortunately or remarkably may be unsuitable. However, other, less subjective adverbs can be useful for opening paragraphs or linking ideas. The following examples are often followed by a comma. Time Relating ideas recently clearly increasingly obviously originally not surprisingly presently alternatively currently similarly traditionally more importantly

4. Insert a suitable adverb from the table into the gaps in the sentences.

a Most houses do not have electricity. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , then, there is little chance of improving living standards.

2. Adverbs

2.10 Style cross reference