This post is for my future reference.

 

But if you find it useful, Cheers!

Grammar is a skill that takes years of dedication. As a medical writer or as a writer in general, grammar is a crucial asset you need to master.

Though assistive apps like Grammarly have been super helpful, still free version cannot mop all the flaws.

American Medical Writers Association recently published a blog on grammars which I found super helpful which I will be posting hereby, especially those points I am likely to slip at.

I will try to go through the post at least once daily for couples of days in a row. If you find it helpful, share and save.

·         Each and every always require a singular verb.

Each student is required to attend the banquet, and every spouse is also here.

 

·         With the correlative conjunctions either … or and neither … nor, the subject nearer the verb determines the number of the verb.

 Neither the resident nor the interns are here.

Neither the interns nor the resident is here.

 

·         Beware of false singulars that take plural verbs e.g., data are and false plurals that take singular verbs e.g., mumps is.

 

·         There and here are introductory words with no effect on the number of the verb.
There are 40 physicians on staff. Here are their names.

 

·         The number always takes a singular verb.
The number of hospitalizations is increasing.

A number always takes a plural verb.
A number of patients were treated for flu.

 

·         As well as is not a substitute for and.
The patient, as well as the family, is hopeful.

Unlike and, as well as does not create a compound subject that would take a plural verb.
The patient and the family are hopeful.

 

·         One … who always takes a plural verb.
Bill is one of those students who never study.

 

·         A verb agrees in number with its subject, not with a complement.
The best feature of this book is its footnotes.

 

·         None can be used in either the singular or the plural, depending on the intended meaning.
None [not one] of the drugs is available.
None [not any] of the drugs are available.

 

·         Be sure that the antecedent (referent) of any pronoun is clear.
*Bob told John that his phone was in the car.
 Bob told John that Bob’s phone was in the car.

 

·         Pronouns must agree in gender and number with the noun they replace.
Dr Smith cares for her patients.
All physicians should care for their patients.

 

·         Reflexive pronouns (ending in –self or –selves) are used as objects and rename the subject of the sentence.
The student bought herself a new medical dictionary.

 

·         Restrictive (essential) elements are necessary for the meaning of a sentence or clause and are not set off by commas.
The nurse whom I met last week is named Bob.

 

·         Nonrestrictive (nonessential) elements are not necessary for the meaning of a sentence or clause and are set off by commas.
Bob, whom I met last week, is a nurse.

 

·         That introduces restrictive (essential) elements; which introduces nonrestrictive (nonessential) elements.
The book that I bought last week is required for my anatomy class.
This book, which I found at the book sale, is required for my anatomy class.

 

·         Express first-degree comparisons with as … as.
This treatment is as effective as others.

 

·         Express second-degree comparisons with than.
This treatment is more effective than others.

 

·         Don’t attempt to compare things that cannot be compared.
*Skulls of Neanderthals were larger than other primates.
Skulls of Neanderthals were larger than those of other primates.

 

·         4. Don’t express absolute statements as comparisons.
*He weighs 140 pounds, compared to his sister, who weighs 137.
He weighs 140 pounds; his sister weighs 137.

 

 

I am Gaurav Rayamajhi, PharmD, a medical writer, and presenter. I create comprehensive meaningful medical content for patients, healthcare professionals and health service industries.