I was contemplating using "ad infinitum". I am not sure if I will use it. But I wondered if it should be italicized. I think I would not italicize it. https://www.enago.com/academy/should-you-italicize-latin-terms-in-scientific-writing/
italicization for latin /et al/ in technical writing
Started by ●February 5, 2023
Reply by ●February 5, 20232023-02-05
On 2023-02-05 14:42, Simon S Aysdie wrote:> I was contemplating using "ad infinitum". I am not sure if I will use it. But I wondered if it should be italicized. I think I would not italicize it. > > > https://www.enago.com/academy/should-you-italicize-latin-terms-in-scientific-writing/ >I'd certainly italicize "et al." "Ad infinitum" isn't really standard English over here, so I'd probably italicize it if I ever used it, which I don't recall having done in print. And the full stop after 'et al' is super important. 'T'aint me and my old pal Al. Cheers Phil Hobbs -- Dr Philip C D Hobbs Principal Consultant ElectroOptical Innovations LLC / Hobbs ElectroOptics Optics, Electro-optics, Photonics, Analog Electronics Briarcliff Manor NY 10510 http://electrooptical.net http://hobbs-eo.com
Reply by ●February 5, 20232023-02-05
On 2/5/2023 12:42 PM, Simon S Aysdie wrote:> I was contemplating using "ad infinitum". I am not sure if I will use it. > But I wondered if it should be italicized. I think I would not italicize > it.Italicize foreign words and abbreviations. etc. et al. ibid as well as titles (of documents, etc.). In many contexts, their usage is so universal that one can fudge a bit. But, IME, it's easier to just be consistent there as *most* (?) folks mix technical and nontechnical materials and it's easier for them not to have to adjust to different writing styles. Also, reserve italics for this instead of also using it (also) for emphasis, if possible.
Reply by ●February 5, 20232023-02-05
On 2/5/2023 1:47 PM, Don Y wrote:> On 2/5/2023 12:42 PM, Simon S Aysdie wrote: >> I was contemplating using "ad infinitum". I am not sure if I will use it. >> But I wondered if it should be italicized. I think I would not italicize >> it. > > Italicize foreign words and abbreviations. etc. et al. ibid > as well as titles (of documents, etc.).s/ibid/ibid./> In many contexts, their usage is so universal that one can fudge > a bit. > > But, IME, it's easier to just be consistent there as *most* (?) > folks mix technical and nontechnical materials and it's easier > for them not to have to adjust to different writing styles. > > Also, reserve italics for this instead of also using it (also) for > emphasis, if possible.(I have a tag for "foreign" and another for "emphasis".) This also comes in handy when you want to search for a string and want to be able to specify if your search should be *in* those foreign/abbreviations or not. (And, having tags lets me temporarily set the COLOR of the text thus tagged. So, I can quickly see if I've used "italics" somewhere instead of "foreign".)
Reply by ●February 5, 20232023-02-05
On 06/02/23 06:42, Simon S Aysdie wrote:> I was contemplating using "ad infinitum". I am not sure if I will use it. But I wondered if it should be italicized. I think I would not italicize it. > > > https://www.enago.com/academy/should-you-italicize-latin-terms-in-scientific-writing/ >Just use plain English, e.g. "forever" or "with no limit". Latin is for try-hards who want to look smarter. I.e. most academics. Clifford Heath.
Reply by ●February 5, 20232023-02-05
Clifford Heath wrote:> Simon S Aysdie wrote: >> I was contemplating using "ad infinitum". I am not sure if I will use >> it. But I wondered if it should be italicized. I think I would not >> italicize it. >> >> >> https://www.enago.com/academy/should-you-italicize-latin-terms-in-scientific-writing/ >> > > Just use plain English, e.g. "forever" or "with no limit". > > Latin is for try-hards who want to look smarter. I.e. most academics.Undefined acronyms are another academic favorite. "Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent." https://www.orwellfoundation.com/the-orwell-foundation/orwell/essays-and-other-works/politics-and-the-english-language/ Danke, -- Don, KB7RPU, https://www.qsl.net/kb7rpu There was a young lady named Bright Whose speed was far faster than light; She set out one day In a relative way And returned on the previous night.
Reply by ●February 5, 20232023-02-05
On Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 5:13:26 PM UTC-5, Clifford Heath wrote:> On 06/02/23 06:42, Simon S Aysdie wrote: > > I was contemplating using "ad infinitum". I am not sure if I will use it. But I wondered if it should be italicized. I think I would not italicize it. > > > > > > https://www.enago.com/academy/should-you-italicize-latin-terms-in-scientific-writing/ > > > Just use plain English, e.g. "forever" or "with no limit". > > Latin is for try-hards who want to look smarter. I.e. most academics. > > Clifford Heath.By that rationale, you should avoid words with four or more syllables, like the former President Trmp. -- Rick C. - Get 1,000 miles of free Supercharging - Tesla referral code - https://ts.la/richard11209
Reply by ●February 6, 20232023-02-06
On 05/02/2023 19:42, Simon S Aysdie wrote:> I was contemplating using "ad infinitum". I am not sure if I will use it. But I wondered if it should be italicized. I think I would not italicize it. > > > https://www.enago.com/academy/should-you-italicize-latin-terms-in-scientific-writing/Well, Latin comes from Italy... -- Cheers Clive
Reply by ●February 6, 20232023-02-06
On Monday, February 6, 2023 at 3:41:12 AM UTC-8, Clive Arthur wrote:> On 05/02/2023 19:42, Simon S Aysdie wrote: > > I was contemplating using "ad infinitum". I am not sure if I will use it. But I wondered if it should be italicized. I think I would not italicize it. > > > > > > https://www.enago.com/academy/should-you-italicize-latin-terms-in-scientific-writing/ > Well, Latin comes from Italy...lol. Towers lean there too.
Reply by ●February 6, 20232023-02-06
On Sunday, February 5, 2023 at 2:13:26 PM UTC-8, Clifford Heath wrote:> On 06/02/23 06:42, Simon S Aysdie wrote: > > I was contemplating using "ad infinitum". I am not sure if I will use it. But I wondered if it should be italicized. I think I would not italicize it. > > > > > > https://www.enago.com/academy/should-you-italicize-latin-terms-in-scientific-writing/ > > > Just use plain English, e.g. "forever" or "with no limit". > > Latin is for try-hards who want to look smarter. I.e. most academics.Haha — I totally agree. That's why I don't know if it will ever make further although "ad infinitum" was my first thought when sketching a first draft. But it did make me ask the question. It came up with a description explaining how HPF prototypes naturally morph into BPF—for distributed filters such as edge-coupled—when using the Richards transformation. "Spectrum" for dc-2*f_R repeats ad infinitum every 2*f_R... or something like that of me talking to me. I doubt it would make the cut, for exactly the reason you state.
