Common English Mistakes in Scientific Papers by Cantonese Speakers

This page focuses on errors typically made by native Cantonese speakers from Hong Kong when writing a Scientific Paper in English.

Mistake Example #1

Confusion with countable vs. uncountable nouns ('She has much friends')

Ina recent study, we have observed that there isa significant amount of data supporting the hypothesis. The experiment involves manylot of equipment, and it is crucial to ensure that each apparatus is calibrated correctly. Furthermore, the results indicate that there is much evidence to suggest a correlation between variables, although more research is needed to confirm findings.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Good work! I added some articles and changed "many equipment" to "a lot of equipment"."

In a recent study, we have observed that there is a significant amount of data supporting the hypothesis. The experiment involves a lot of equipment, and it is crucial to ensure that each apparatus is calibrated correctly. Furthermore, the results indicate that there is much evidence to suggest a correlation between variables, although more research is needed to confirm findings.

In recent study, we have observed that there is significant amount of data supporting the hypothesis. The experiment involves many equipment, and it is crucial to ensure that each apparatus is calibrated correctly. Furthermore, the results indicate that there is much evidence to suggest a correlation between variables, although more research is needed to confirm findings.

Mistake Example #2

Overuse of direct translations from Cantonese

In this study, we exploramined the effect of temperature on bactherial growth rateof bacterias, and wefiound that when temperatures isare high, bacteria growfastlikeh adding oiccelerato fires. The experiment was conducted in a controlled environment, and the results shrevealed a nowthat thble growth rate increase sunder hignificher temperantly, which is a situation of one plus one equals threes. These findings suggindicatest that temperature control is cruiticial infor managing bacterial growth in laboratory settings.

Text corrected by:
Gregg, Los Angeles, CA

"This needed some tweaks to sound more native and natural."

In this study, we examined the effect of temperature on bacterial growth rates, and found that when temperatures are high, bacteria growth accelerates. The experiment was conducted in a controlled environment, and the results revealed a notable growth rate increase under higher temperatures. These findings indicate that temperature control is critical for managing bacterial growth in laboratory settings.

In this study, we explore the effect of temperature on the growth rate of bacteria, and we find that when temperature is high, bacteria grow fast like adding oil to fire. The experiment was conducted in a controlled environment, and the results show that the growth rate increase significantly, which is a situation of one plus one equals three. These findings suggest that temperature control is crucial in managing bacterial growth in laboratory settings.

Mistake Example #3

Overuse of 'very' to emphasize adjectives

The recent study on climate change impacts isvery important for understanding the future of our environment. The data collected is verycomprehensive and provides avery detailed analysis of temperature variations over the past century. It is verycrucial that we continue this research to developvery effective strategies for mitigating the effects of global warming.

Text corrected by:
Jennifer, Detroit, Michigan USA

"Good work! The word "very" was not necessary, so I took it out."

The recent study on climate change impacts is important for understanding the future of our environment. The data collected is comprehensive and provides a detailed analysis of temperature variations over the past century. It is crucial that we continue this research to develop effective strategies for mitigating the effects of global warming.

The recent study on climate change impacts is very important for understanding the future of our environment. The data collected is very comprehensive and provides a very detailed analysis of temperature variations over the past century. It is very crucial that we continue this research to develop very effective strategies for mitigating the effects of global warming.