Fact Check: What's a more accurate thing to say?

Imprecise language about behaviour is used most often in the title, and discussion. Imprecise wording in research articles can mislead readers to believe that the findings are more powerful than they are. We empirically investigate how common it is for scholars to include statements in their articles that fail to accurately reflect their research design.

First, we provide background on the increasing prevalence of contexts in which students are learning content in a second language, both internationally and in the US specifically. Second, we briefly review current theory and research on language use in content learning. Third, we propose a conception of precision as exactness in communicating disciplinary meaning.

But outside of the academic and research environment, highly precise scientific language can create a nearly insurmountable obstacle to understanding. Overly precise terminology is one of the most common points of failure when scientists attempt to explain their work to a lay audience. The counterpoint to this, of course, is that precision helps to ensure accuracy.

At times, you may choose to keep a sentence just as it is, even though there are more concise ways to express your idea: you might, for example, use repetition to emphasize a point or include a redundant pair of words (a subject we’re just about to discuss) to create a certain rhythm. What’s important is that you make a conscious choice. When the first word in a pair has roughly the same meaning as the second, choose one. Common examples of redundant pairs include: full and complete, each and every, hopes and dreams, whole entire, first and foremost, true and accurate, always and forever.

Stay on topic – make sure your content is relevant to the topic. Your writing is made more concise if you avoid wordy verbs, unnecessary nomination and unnecessary prepositional phrases.

... The committee decided to postpone the vote. ... A decision was reached to postpone the vote. When you have a series of words, phrases, or clauses, put them in parallel form (similar grammatical construction) so that the reader can identify the linking relationship more easily and clearly.

Keep prepositional phrases near what they modify: the book on the shelf

They're not. If you're ever confused about which to use, here's a tip: Use "well" as an adverb (words used to describe verbs) and "good" as an adjective (words used to describe nouns).

That, and the obscurity of the word squib, is possibly what created this mistake. Squibs are fireworks and damp ones are likely to lead to disappointment, hence the expression ‘damp squib’. Read more about the meaning and origin of ‘Damp squib’… ... Once again an obscure word has been replaced by a more commonly used word.