{"id":3373,"date":"2020-02-24T17:24:38","date_gmt":"2020-02-24T17:24:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/7-common-errors-in-the-usage-of-symbols-in-scientific-writing\/"},"modified":"2026-01-16T15:00:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T09:30:51","slug":"7-common-errors-in-the-usage-of-symbols-in-scientific-writing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/7-common-errors-in-the-usage-of-symbols-in-scientific-writing","title":{"rendered":"7 Common errors in the usage of symbols in scientific writing"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">Presentation of scientific information is one of the primary goals of scientific writing. Numerical data and symbols serve to enhance accurate reporting of findings. Symbols are also a means to represent complex data in very simple mathematical format. Scientific writing requires the use of many symbols, such as the degree sign, periodic table symbols, and formulae. Therefore, it is important to understand the standard style conventions associated with using symbols to avoid misinterpretation and convey your intended meaning clearly. Applying these style conventions will help your manuscript look polished and professional. In this article, we have highlighted some common errors in the usage of symbols that we have come across in physical science and engineering papers. We have also explained some of the important style conventions that you need to follow when using symbols.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: .0001pt; text-align: justify; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #040000;\">To insert some of the special symbols discussed below, <\/span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\">first type out the <\/span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #040000;\">unique four-digit hexadecimal character code; then, highlight\/select this code and press Alt+X. You will find that the correct symbol has been inserted into the document. For example, the hyphen can be inserted by <\/span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\">typing 002D, then selecting the code and pressing Alt+X<\/span><span style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;\"><span style=\"color: #040000;\">. We have mentioned this four-digit code for each of the symbols discussed below for your convenience. Alternatively, you may also insert the correct symbol by using the Symbol tab on the\u00a0Insert<\/span>\u00a0menu<\/span><\/span><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; color: #040000;\">\u00a0of your word processor.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#symbol-1\">1. <span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 107%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">Use of hyphen (-), en-dash (\u2013), and em-dash (\u2014)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#symbol-2\">2. <span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 107%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">Spacing between numbers and symbols<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#symbol-3\">3. <span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 107%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">When to spell out symbols or units?<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#symbol-4\">4. <span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 107%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">Use of the center dot to indicate a product of units\u00a0(Code: 2027)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#symbol-5\">5. <span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 107%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">Use of hyphen between numbers and units<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#symbol-6\">6. <span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif;\"><span style=\"color: #4472c4;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"><span style=\"color: black;\">Using appropriate symbols for units of measurement<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#symbol-7\">7. <span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 107%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">Chemical symbols<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"symbol-1\" style=\"padding-top: 80px; margin-top: -80px;\">1. Use of hyphen (-), en-dash (\u2013), and em-dash (\u2014)<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 107%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">Authors often get confused between the hyphen, en-dash, and em-dash and often use these interchangeably. However, this can look unprofessional and create a negative impression on reviewers. Here are the basic rules governing these three symbols:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">The hyphen is used for compound words and hyphen minus (<b>Code: 002D<\/b>). Note that the minus sign uses a different code\u00a0<strong>(Code 2212\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/span><strong>followed by Alt + x).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\"><b><i>Examples: <\/i><\/b><i>low-frequency range;\u00a0-10 to -5;\u00a0closed-loop system;\u00a0phase-change-material-integrated thermoelectric panel, etc. \u00a0<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">The en-dash (<b>Code: 2013<\/b>) is used in instances where it replaces the word \u201cto\u201d (e.g., in a range of numbers, when concatenating terms that imply a relationship). When denoting isomerizations and phase transitions, the en-dash should be used instead of a hyphen. The words\/numbers are closed up with the symbol (i.e., no spaces before or after). <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\"><b><i>Examples:<\/i><\/b><i> 10\u201315 kg;\u00a0stress\u2013strain curves;\u00a0load\u2013displacement relationships;\u00a0Navier\u2013Stokes equations;\u00a0Runge\u2013Kutta method;\u00a0solid\u2013liquid transitions;\u00a0enol<\/i><i>\u2013keto tautomerism, etc.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">The only exceptions to en-dash use are when there the word \u201cfrom\u201d or \u201cbetween\u201d precedes a range of numbers and when the range is not interrupted by words or mathematical operators.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\"><b><i>Examples:<\/i><\/b><i> from 12 to 2 (<u>not<\/u> from 12\u20132);\u00a0-1 to +6 (<u>not <\/u>-1\u2013+6);\u00a0between 1 and 8 April (<u>not<\/u> between 1\u20138 April), etc.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">The em-dash (<b>Code: 2014<\/b>) is used to offset a clause or a part of sentence from the rest and adds clarity (e.g., nonrestrictive clauses). The words are closed up with the symbol. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\"><b><i>Example: <\/i><\/b><i>In the experiment, the temperature\u2014in addition to the pressure\u2014was varied.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">Note that this is a matter of style and can differ by country or even publisher; therefore, it&#8217;s best to follow the convention preferred by your target journal.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"symbol-2\" style=\"padding-top: 80px; margin-top: -80px;\">2. Spacing between numbers and symbols<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">Non-alphabetical symbols or units that accompany numbers are always closed up with the numerals. <span style=\"color: black;\">Thus, the percentage (%), degree (\u00b0), and prime (\u2032) signs are generally are set up close to the numerals they follow. The same applies with currency and mathematical symbols as well. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 150%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\"><b><i><span style=\"color: black;\">Examples:<\/span><\/i><\/b><i> \u00a010%;\u00a0$15;\u00a0+45;\u00a0\u201338;\u00a0<\/i><i>\u00b197;\u00a075<\/i><i>\u00b0;\u00a08\u00d710 mm.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\"><span style=\"color: black;\">One possible exception, however, is the degree Celsius (<\/span><span style=\"color: black;\">\u00b0C). Some authorities require a space, whereas some require it closed up to the numeral; therefore, it\u2019s best to check which style your journal prefers.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"symbol-3\" style=\"padding-top: 80px; margin-top: -80px;\">3. When to spell out symbols or units?<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">When a sentence begins with a range of numbers, the first number is spelled out unless the sentence is recast in an alternative form. The second number can be indicated as a numeral, and the accompanying symbol or unit is appropriately abbreviated. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\"><b><i>Example:<\/i><\/b><i> Twenty-three to 25 g (<u>not <\/u>Twenty-three to twenty-five grams)<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">If a symbol must also appear after the first number, then it is spelled out after both the first and second numbers of the range.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\"><b><i>Example: <\/i><\/b><i>Seven percent to 11 percent (<u>not <\/u>Seven percent to 11%)<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">When a symbol or unit is used in a sentence without accompanying numerical information, it is always spelled out.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\"><b><i>Examples:<\/i><\/b><i> A few <u>millivolts<\/u> to <u>several volts;<\/u>\u00a0the resistance is of the order of <u>several megaohms;<\/u>\u00a0the difference was a less than a <u>few percentage points<\/u>.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">Once again, these rules may have some variations based on the style conventions followed by your target journal.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"symbol-4\" style=\"padding-top: 80px; margin-top: -80px;\">4. Use of the center dot to indicate a product of units<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 107%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">In compound units derived from the basic SI units, the product should be represented using the center dot (<span style=\"font-family: 'MS Gothic';\">\u2027<\/span>)\u2014also called the raised period or half-high dot\u2014and not the multiplication symbol (\u00d7), series dot\/period (.), or star\/asterisk (*). This also avoids confusion regarding prefixes to units. For example, \u201cmN\u201d indicates millinewton, which is very different from \u201cm<span style=\"font-family: 'MS Gothic';\">\u2027<\/span>N\u201d that represents meter-newton.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 107%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\"><b>Examples:<\/b> 12 W\/(m<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\">\u2027<\/span>K);\u00a025 J\/(kg.K);\u00a0158 Pa<span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\">\u2027<\/span>s<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 107%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\"><b>Tip:<\/b> Do not use a superscripted period \u201c.\u201d as the centered dot\/interpunct, e.g., 5<sup>.<\/sup>. This may cause problems with typesetting. Instead, insert the symbol for the centered dot\/interpunct, which can be found under the Symbols tab in your word processor or can be inserted using the code 2027 as mentioned above.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"symbol-5\" style=\"padding-top: 80px; margin-top: -80px;\">5. Use of hyphen between numbers and units<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 107%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">Only when\u00a0a measured quantity is used as a modifier to a noun <u>and<\/u>\u00a0when the unit of measurement is spelled out, only then is a hyphen placed between the number and unit (e.g., \u201ca 5-meter length of wire\u201d, \u201c12-Volt battery\u201d). But when the quantity is not a modifier to a noun, the hyphen should not be used (e.g., \u201ca wire of length 5 m\u201d or \u201ca battery of 12 V.\u201d) Additionally, when the symbol of the\u00a0unit is used, even if the\u00a0quantity is a modifer, the hyphen should not be used; rather, a space is left between the\u00a0numerical value\u00a0and the unit symbol (e.g., &#8220;a 5 m\u00a0length of wire\u201d, \u201c12V\u00a0battery\u201d).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 107%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\"><b>Example:<\/b> A <u>20 m<sup>2<\/sup><\/u> area was chosen for the scale model simulations.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in;\"><strong><em><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 107%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">Example: <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/strong><em><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 107%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">A <u>20-square meter<\/u> area was chosen for the scale model simulations.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"symbol-6\" style=\"padding-top: 80px; margin-top: -80px;\">6. Using appropriate symbols for units of measurement<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif;\"><span style=\"color: #4472c4;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"><span style=\"color: black;\"><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">Some symbols for units of measurement involve the use of Greek alphabets or diacritical marks. However, authors sometimes use similar looking Roman alphabets instead. For example, authors sometimes use \u201cu\u201d instead of \u201c\u00b5\u201d and \u201cA\u201d instead of \u201c\u00c5\u201d. You should take care to use the correct symbols for units.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>Most typefaces have these symbols as part of their character set; you can look them up in Character Map (Windows).<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 107%;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"><span style=\"color: black;\">Another way to insert these symbols is to use\u00a0Insert\/Symbol from the menu bar of Microsoft programs. However, this should be used only if the other ways are not available to you.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 107%;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\">Choose the\u00a0normal text\u00a0font to get these symbols:<\/span><\/span><\/span> <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"media-element file-default\" title=\"Default Title Text\" src=\"https:\/\/insights.cactusglobal.com\/sites\/default\/files\/Capture%201_2.PNG\" alt=\"Default Alt text\" \/><\/li>\n<li style=\"margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 107%;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\">Choose the\u00a0<em>Symbol<\/em>\u00a0font to get symbols like these:\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/span><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"media-element file-default\" title=\"Default Title Text\" src=\"https:\/\/insights.cactusglobal.com\/sites\/default\/files\/Capture%202_2.PNG\" alt=\"Default Alt text\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt;\"><em><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif;\"><span style=\"color: #4472c4;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"><span style=\"color: black;\">Examples:<\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"><span style=\"color: black;\"><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\"> 25 \u00b5V (<u>not<\/u> 25 uV), 12 \u00c5 (<u>not<\/u> 12 A), 20\u201330 \u03a9 (<u>not<\/u> 20\u201330 Ohms), 45\u00b0 (<u>not<\/u> 45 deg)<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif;\"><span style=\"color: #4472c4;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"><span style=\"color: black;\">Special cases: Symbols denoting degree and multiplication signs<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"margin: 10pt 0in 0.0001pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 115%;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Calibri Light',sans-serif;\"><span style=\"color: #4472c4;\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\"><span style=\"display: none;\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"><span style=\"color: #040000;\"><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\"><strong>Use the degree sign (\u00b0)<\/strong> (<\/span>Code: 0176<span style=\"font-weight: normal;\">) <strong>and not a superscript o or O or numeral zero:<\/strong><span style=\"display: none;\">\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0Although the difference is not obvious (compare 30 \u00b0C, 30\u00a0<sup>o<\/sup>C, 30\u00a0<sup>O<\/sup>C, and 30 <sup>0<\/sup>C), in some fonts, the differences will be marked. It is also possible that the formatting you applied will be lost when the word-processor files you submit to a journal are imported into a page layout software. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 8pt; margin-right: 0in;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 107%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\"><strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"><span style=\"color: #040000;\">Use the multiplication sign (\u00d7) <\/span><\/span><\/strong><span style=\"color: #040000;\">(<b>Code: 0215<\/b>) <strong><span style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\">and not a lowercase x or capital X or asterisk (*)<\/span><\/strong>: The difference is slight here, but the appearance is obvious when using fonts without serifs (e.g., Arial) or with serifs (e.g., Times New Roman). <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"symbol-7\" style=\"padding-top: 80px; margin-top: -80px;\">7. Chemical symbols<\/h2>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 107%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">Chemical elements and symbols are often used in physical sciences and engineering, and abbreviated forms were developed to avoid the hassle of writing out lengthy and complicated formulas using the full forms of the chemicals. The following are some general rules regarding the use of chemical symbols:<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">When using chemical names and formulas, it is acceptable to use the symbol for an element without first defining it.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\"><b><i>Example: <\/i><\/b><i>The Na, Mg, Ca, P, Fe, and K contents of table olives were measured by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES).<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">Here, the different elements need not be first defined before use as the symbols are standardized.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">In the formula for an addition compound, a centered dot\/interpunct (\u00b7) should be used between both the components, without any space on either side of it. A centered dot should also be used in compounds with water of hydration.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\"><b><i>Example: <\/i><\/b><i>Good-quality boron nitride nanotubes were prepared from <u>BH<sub>3<\/sub><\/u><\/i><i><u>\u00b7NH<sub>3<\/sub><\/u> (<u>not<\/u> <u>BH<sub>3<\/sub>NH<sub>3<\/sub><\/u>) by vapor-phase pyrolysis.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">When you state the components of a solvent or reaction mixture, avoid using colons. Use a slash or an en-dash instead. You can, however, use colons to indicate the relative proportions of components.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\"><b><i>Example:<\/i><\/b><i> For these studies, thin-layer chromatography was performed using <u>acetone<\/u><\/i><i><u><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\">\u2013<\/span>alcohol<\/u><\/i><i><u><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\">\u2013<\/span>water (1:1:2)<\/u> [<u>not<\/u> acetone:alcohol:water (1:1:2)] as the solvent.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">To prevent confusion between intermetallic compounds and alloys, remember to use an en-dash when indicating the chemical composition of an alloy (insert an en-dash between the elements forming the alloy). An intermetallic compound is represented similar to any chemical compound.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\"><b><i>Example:<\/i><\/b><i> Molecular dynamics simulation has been performed for investigating the glass transition of <u>Pd<\/u><\/i><i><u><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\">\u2013<\/span>Ni<\/u> (<u>not<\/u> PdNi) alloy nanoparticles in the solidification process.<\/i><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt 40px;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">Here, PdNi is incorrect because this is not a chemical compound but an alloy.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\">When representing chemical equations, please be sure to use the correct forms of symbols (e.g., <span style=\"font-family: 'Cambria Math',serif;\">\u21cc<\/span> for equilibrium, \u2206 for change or increment, <span style=\"font-family: 'Lucida Sans Unicode',sans-serif;\">\u2192<\/span> for reaction).<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt; margin-right: 0in; margin-left: 0in;\"><span style=\"font-size: 12pt;\"><span style=\"background: white;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"><span style=\"color: #040000;\">Appropriate use of symbols ensures that your academic manuscript is accurate in addition to being well organized and presentable. Consistent use of the pointers mentioned herein will convey your work in an understandable manner with no room for loss or misrepresentation of information.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"line-height: 107%;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\"><b>Related reading:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt;\"><span style=\"background: white;\"><span style=\"line-height: normal;\"><span style=\"font-family: Calibri,sans-serif;\"><span class=\"MsoHyperlink\" style=\"color: blue;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"><span style=\"color: #0056b3;\"><a style=\"color: blue; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/avoid-these-common-errors-physical-sciences-terminology\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0056b3;\">Avoid these common errors in physical sciences terminology<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 13.5pt;\"><span style=\"background: white;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"><span style=\"color: #212529;\"><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\"><a style=\"color: blue; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/common-errors-usage-abbreviations-scientific-writing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0056b3;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none;\"><span style=\"text-underline: none;\">Common errors in the usage of abbreviations in scientific writing<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"margin: 0in 0in 8pt;\"><span style=\"font-size: 13.5pt;\"><span style=\"background: white;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif;\"><span style=\"font-size: 11.0pt;\"><span style=\"font-family: 'Calibri',sans-serif;\"><span style=\"color: #212529;\"><span style=\"font-weight: normal;\"><a style=\"color: blue; text-decoration: underline;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/5-common-errors-in-representing-numbers-and-units-of-measurement\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0056b3;\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none;\"><span style=\"text-underline: none;\">5 Common errors in representing numbers and units of measurement<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/services\/research-paper-manuscript-formatting-services?utm_source=editageinsights&amp;utm_medium=footerbanner&amp;utm_campaign=7-errors-in-symbols-in-scientific-writing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-37200\" src=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/MF-FooterBanner-Reformatting-should-not-be-a-redo.jpg\" alt=\"Manuscript formatting footer banner reformatting\" width=\"856\" height=\"200\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/MF-FooterBanner-Reformatting-should-not-be-a-redo.jpg 856w, https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/MF-FooterBanner-Reformatting-should-not-be-a-redo-300x70.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/MF-FooterBanner-Reformatting-should-not-be-a-redo-768x179.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.editage.com\/insights\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/MF-FooterBanner-Reformatting-should-not-be-a-redo-850x200.jpg 850w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 856px) 100vw, 856px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Presentation of scientific information is one of the primary goals of scientific writing. Numerical data and symbols serve to enhance accurate reporting of findings. Symbols are also a means to represent complex data in very simple mathematical format. Scientific writing requires the use of many symbols, such as the degree sign, periodic table symbols, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":11,"featured_media":5420,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2427],"tags":[341],"new_categories":[],"new_tags":[],"series":[],"class_list":["post-3373","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-style-format","tag-common-errors"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>7 Common Errors in Using Symbols in Scientific Writing | Editage Insights<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn how to avoid common errors in the usage of symbols in physical science and engineering papers. 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