What does “has been described in other work” mean in this sentence?

I’m currently reading a book about chemistry. Here is a sentence that I faced and didn’t understand: This procedure has been described in other work from our laboratory I don’t get what it means by “describe in other work”! The only thing came to my mind was that it was probably “in other words” and … Read more

How to avoid overusing ‘the’ in objective writing

I’m writing an experimental process description and I feel like i’m overusing ‘the’. The plastic tube leading out the bottom of the Vayyar equipment (again the tube on the left) is fed through the hole of the data lid and into the sample container The syringe is retracted slightly and placed into the holder, the … Read more

Word for an object involved in a collision?

I want a word that is used to mean an object involved in a collision, for example, say two tennis balls collide – ball 1 and ball 2 – what would be a word that could describe either ball, only in the context of a collision. Similarly to how each particle involved in a reaction … Read more

What is the meaning of the following sentence:

But why would a strong, inheritable trait that cuts fitness by half not be selected against? Answer Well, I suppose if you break it down, the question is regarding: A trait that is possible to be inherited, is even favorable against other traits, but not a strictly dominant trait (otherwise “dominant trait” would be used … Read more

An alternative for genetive case with of in scientific writing

I am writing a scientific paper and have a following dillema between two sentences: Therefore, it is reasonable to analyze the effect of the mutual coupling in the proposed application. vs. Therefore, it is reasonable to analyze the effect the mutual coupling has in the proposed application. The first option is clearly more formal and … Read more

Scientific way to describe “over linear growth”

I am aware that typically we use “linear” growth or “exponential” growth to describe certain trending, which seems very standard and scientific. But on the other hand, what is a proper and scientific way to describe a trending that is “over” linear (faster than linear), but apparently not yet exponential? Can I simply say “over … Read more

Single word to replace “allowed to be missing”

I want to express my knowledge about the presence of absence of something. My knowledge is divided into three different cases: I know that the thing doesn’t exist. I don’t know whether the thing exists. I know that the thing exists. Sadly, neither of those is the negation of another one. However, I can define … Read more

“The number of steps is infinite” or “The number of steps is infinity”?

In a mathematical paper about random-walks. Which is more correct: “The number of steps in the random-walk is infinite” or “The number of steps in the random-walk is infinity”? Answer The correct usage is “The number of steps is infinite” You are qualifying the “number of steps”, here infinite is an adjective. You could say … Read more

When was “off-world” / “offworld” coined?

“Offworld” meaning “not on the main, current planet” is a term in some sci-fi works, and several works have been named using it, like “Offworld Trading Company” (a video game). The word definitely dates to older sci-fi, though, and I’m wondering where/when it originated. I couldn’t find information in any dictionaries, although several listed the … Read more