I’ve come across a number of language concerns in science writing. Below is my every-growing list of science writing faux-pas (and solutions)

Conditions | Disease | Disorder

Conditions, diseases and disorders are often used interchangeably. While some argue that it’s just a matter of opinion, these words have different connotations and should be used accordingly.  In the field of psychiatry, you can get into hot water if you call some mental illness a disease.  That said, things can get tricky when you’re trying to define terms like “obesity,” which now has a new medical definition. That said, some genetic disorders are considered diseases as well, so it’s not a simple subject.

Effect | Affect

These two near homophones are often mixed up because they both can function as verbs and nouns. Confusing, right? As a rule of thumb, most of the time, effect is a NOUN and affect is a VERB, with effect typically meaning the result of some cause (cause and effect) and affect being used as a verb akin “to influence.”  Basically memorize this sentence to affect the effects is interference, one must use affect and effect correctly.  When “effect” is used as a verb it means to bring about, as in a legislature effects changes in the legal system. Affect the verb implies influence, effect the verb is the real deal, bringing something into being.  Affect the noun is primarily used in psychology; it is meant to describe feeling or emotion, or the observed expression of emotion; if someone is described as having no affect, that person is emotionally numb or flat. See the Grammar Girl’s explanation for more examples.