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6.24 False friends

False friends are words from two different languages that look very similar but have
different meanings. If you speak a European language, then there is a good chance
that there are several false friends between your language and English. The most
common of these is actually , which in English means in reality , but its false friend
in other languages means currently / at the moment .
Another false friend, which frequently appears in research, is to control which does
not mean verify . Here is the difference:

S1. A thermostat is used to control the temperature. [i.e. adjust, act on]
S2. We checked the patient’s temperature with a thermometer. [i.e. verify without any
intervention]

In scientific papers, only a limited number of false friends tend to cause problems:

actual (real) vs effective (successful in producing desired effect); alternately (first one, then the

other) vs alternatively (another option); coherent (intelligible) consistent (not contradictory,
always acting in same way over a period of time); comprehensive (including everything) vs
understanding (sympathetic awareness); eventually (at the end of a series of difficulties) vs if

necessary / if any ; occur (happen) vs need ; sensible (reasonable) vs sensitive (quick to respond
to slight changes)

6.25 Be careful of typos

What impression would a referee have if he/she read the following?

S1. There are three solutions to asses .
S2. A solution of lead was added to the mixture. Note: this addiction is likely to cause health
problems.
S3. Acknowledgements: We would like to offer our tanks to the following people:

The author meant to write assess (asses = donkeys), addition (addiction = patho-
logical dependence), and thanks (tanks = armored vehicles).

No spell checking system currently available is likely to spot such mistakes.

See 28.4 in English for Research: Grammar, Usage and Style for a list of typical
typos of this kind.