Appendix A: Tips for Word Usage
This alphabetical list contains the preferred usage and/or clarification of words typically found in Technology Transfer documents.
a/an are used as articles to nouns. Whether to use a or an depends on the way the noun is pronounced. If the noun begins with a consonant sound (including a sounded h or long u), use a. If it begins with a vowel sound, use an. (Chicago)
affect/effectAffect means to influence an outcome. It is always a verb (except when used in psychology). Effect means to cause or bring about a result (as a verb) or the result itself (as a noun). (Webster's)
all right is two words. All-right and alright are incorrect. (Webster's)
a lot is two words. The term is too casual to be used in formal writing. (Handbook)
among/between Among expresses a broadly applied relationship of more than two entities. In other words, each entity must have an equal relationship with all other entities in the group. Between expresses a reciprocal relationship of (usually two) entities. It can be used for a relationship of more than two when each entity retains its individuality and relates to other entities in the group on a "one-to-one" basis. All of the following examples are correct. (Fowler's)
It also provides the opportunity for precompetitive teaming discussions between suppliers and partnering discussions between customers and suppliers.
..discussions among meeting participants.
..negotiations between local government, the University of Texas, and SEMATECH.
appendixes is the preferred spelling of the plural form for a document appendix, not appendices. (Webster's)
as/like As can be used as a conjuction to connect clauses that contain verbs.
as though it caused
as we expected
The verb may be implied rather than expressed; i.e., the subsequent noun or pronoun may share the same predicate as the subject of the sentence. This situation is shown in the following example.
The cluster tool functions as a homogeneous unit [functions].
Like cannot be used as a conjunction. It can be used as a preposition with a noun or pronoun that is not followed by a verb. (Webser's)
The etch system's program is geared toward joint development of new techniques like ECR, key subsystems like low-temperature wafer chucks and in situ process monitors, and extension and improvement of existing capability.
assure/ensure/insure Assure means to convince, to inform confidently. You assure someone of your loyalty. Ensure is used for general purposes to mean make certain of. You ensure a result. Insure is used for financial purposes to mean guarantee, specifically in exchange for compensation. You insure your car. (Fowler's)
BASIC is the correct capitalization of the programming language. (Chicago)
between See among/between.
cannot (one word) is the preferred form, not can not. (Webster's)
COBOL is the correct capitalization of the programming language. (Chicago)
complement/compliment Complement means a quantity needed to make a thing complete. Compliment means an expression of approval or courtesy. (Webster's)
cleanroom (one word) is the preferred form of the term. (SEMATECH)
compose/comprise The parts compose a whole. The whole comprises its parts. It is incorrect to use the phrase is comprised of. (Consensus)
contractors is the preferred term for those who provide facilities and services, not vendors. For those who furnish equipment or materials, suppliers is the preferred term. (SEMATECH)
consists of/includes Consists of indicates that the entities compose a whole group. Includes indicates the entities may be a subset of a group. (Webster's)
cross-reference is the correct form of the word. (Webster's)
cross section is the correct form of the word. (Webster's)
data is considered a collective singular for technical writing and should be used as such in Technology Transfer documents. It takes a singular verb. In scholarly works or documents that address a nontechnical audience, data is often used in its original Latin form as the plural of datum. (Webster's, Handbook)
Data was collected from all beta sites.
database (one word) is the preferred form, not data base. (SEMATECH)
die serves as the singular and plural form of the word when describing a semiconductor unit. Die is the preferred term, not chip.
different/various Different means unlike, not the same. Various indicates diversity, a variety of. (Consensus)
discreet/discrete Discreet means tactful. Discrete means separate. (Webster's)
disk is the preferred spelling for the magnetic computer medium, not disc. (Webster's)
effect See affect/effect.
e.g./i.e. The two terms are often confused: e.g., meaning for example, abbreviates the Latin exempli gratia; i.e., meaning that is, abbreviates the Latin id est.
eminent/immanent/imminent Eminent means distinguished (person). Immanent means pervading, inherent in. Imminent means soon to happen. (Webster's)
ensure See assure/ensure/insure.
excimer is the correct spelling for the laser. It is not a trademark. (Webster's)
Fab refers to the SEMATECH semiconductor fabrication facility. When referring in general to fab processes or a fab situation, use all lowercase letters. Do not define fab as an abbreviation when your readers are members of the technical community. (SEMATECH)
fax/faxes is the normal capitalization of the abbreviation for facsimile. The plural form is faxes. (Webster's) It may be capitalized as appropriate within context. The following examples are correct
The fax was sent Wednesday.
Faxes should be sent to...
fewer/less Fewer compares objects that can be counted. Less compares amounts of objects or objects that cannot be counted. (Webster's)
fewer dollars/less money
fewer hours/less time
fewer degrees/less heat
FORTRAN is the correct capitalization of the programming language. (Chicago)
hard copy (two words) is the preferred form, not hardcopy. (Webster's)
i.e. See e.g./i.e.
immanent See eminent/immanent/imminent.
imminent See eminent/immanent/imminent.
impact does not mean to affect in general. As a verb, it means 1) to fix firmly as if by packing, 2) make contact with, or 3) to have an adverse effect on. As a noun, it means 1) the act of impinging or striking or 2) the force of impression of one thing on another. (Webster's)
includes See consists of/includes
increment is a noun that means an increasing or growth in bulk, quantity, value, or number. It has no verb form. (Webster's)
indexes/indices Indexes is the preferred plural form when describing sections of a document. Indices is preferred as the mathematical term.
inline/in line is one word as an adjective before a noun; two words if used in any form after the noun.
inline fluidresults that are in line with specifications
input refers to data or collective information. It has no plural form and takes a singular verb. It can be an adjective. (Webster's)
input was provided by all participants
sources of input
input devices
in situ is a Latin phrase for in position. It is never hyphenated. If part of a title, both elements are capitalized. It is commonly used in the semiconductor industry and does not need to be italicized or enclosed by quotation marks. (Webster's)
in situ measurement
insure See assure/ensure/insure.
its/it's Its is the possessive form of it. It's is the contraction for it is. (Contractions are not appropriate in formal writing.) (Webster's)
The task force presented its recommendation to...It's the most comprehensive data available.
less See fewer/less.
leverage is usually a noun, meaning 1) the action or effect of a lever, 2) the borrowed money or its use to supplement capital or to increase the earning power of a relatively small investment, etc. As a verb (-ed, -ing), it means to provide or supplement with leverage or to enhance as if by supplying with financial leverage. (Webster's)
like See as/like.
member refers to a SEMATECH member company or Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA). Use lowercase letters.
method/methodology Method means a systematic procedure, technique, or mode of inquiry employed by or proper to a particular science, art, or discipline. Methodology means a body of methods, processes, working concepts, rules, and postulates employed by a science, art, or discipline. The following are correct examples. (Webster's)
These efforts must be demonstrated using SEMATECH tool qualification methods.
A major goal for the process integration effort is to develop methods that correlate short-loop, unit process results (such as those obtained in the SEMATECH Fab) to full-flow processes typical of those used in member production applications.
This program also includes selecting and demonstrating tools that turn the defined methodology into a usable systems engineering discipline.
The tool qualification methodology is evolving as a standard.
micron/micrometer Micron is a common term for one millionth of a meter. However, since SI provides a direct equivalent, use micrometer. Both terms are abbreviated µm.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory is the correct form of the name. Note that laboratory is singular.
offline/off line is one word as an adjective before a noun; two words if used in any form after a noun. (Chicago)
offline discussionTake the machine off line for maintenance.
online/on line is one word as an adjective before a noun; two words if used in any form after a noun. (Chicago)
online terminal
Bring the terminal on line.
output refers to data or collective information. It has no plural form and takes a singular verb. It can be an adjective. (Webster's)
All program output was examined.
output channels
Pascal is the correct capitalization of the programming language. (Chicago) The unit pascal is not capitalized.
percent/percentage Percent is a unit of measurement: one part in a hundred. The term is typically abbreviated with a symbol when used with a quantity. Percentage is the undetermined or unstated part of a whole that is expressed in hundredths. (Webster's)
Die size varies significantly (± 15 %).
The resulting percentage for each category is given in Table 2.
principal/principle Principal means chief. Principle means a fundamental source of truth or right code of conduct. (Webster's)
radio frequency (RF) is the correct capitalization of the term and its abbreviation. (Webster's)
real time/real-time is one word as a noun, hyphenated as an adjective. (Digital)
in real time
real-time process
road map is two words. (Webster's)
Sandia National Laboratories participates in the SEMATECH University and National Laboratory programs through its Semiconductor Equipment Technology Center (SETEC). Note, laboratories is plural. The name should be treated as a collective noun and takes a singular verb.
SEMATECH should be written with all capital letters. Ideally, reduce the name one point smaller than the surrounding text. Do not hyphenate the name. (SEMATECH)
stationary/stationery Stationary means still, unmoving. Its spelling is often confused with stationery (writing paper). (Webster's)
suppliers is the preferred term for those who furnish SEMATECH with equipment or materials, not vendors. Those who furnish facilities or services, however, are called contractors. (SEMATECH)
that/which That is used for dependent clauses. If you can take out the phrase without changing the meaning of the sentence, use which. Your choice of which or that affects the emphasis of the sentence. The first example below describes monitoring only those variables that specifically affect failure mechanisms. The second example describes monitoring all variables and goes on to include the independent thought that variables affect failure mechanisms. (Fowler's)
..monitor equipment variables that affect failure mechanisms...
..monitor equipment variable, which affect failure mechanisms...
Also, when a dependent clause beginning with that must contain another dependent clause (and you cannot reword the sentence), you can use which to begin the second dependent clause.
Competitive analysis shows that an environment which encourages...
A dependent clause beginning with which needs to be set off with commas.
The final report, which is not scheduled until Q2 of next year, will be transferred to members in December.
throughput refers to an amount of material put through a process or operation. It has no plural form and takes a singular verb. (Webster's)
The throughput from all lines is approaching the targeted goal.
time frame is two words. The consensus of editorial style guides prefers the term period instead of time frame. (Consensus)
troubleshooting (one word) is the preferred form, not trouble shooting. (Webster's)
turnaround (one word) is the preferred form, not turn around or turn-around. (Webster's)
various See different/various
vendors is no longer used. Use suppliers or contractors. (SEMATECH)
versus (vs.) means against or in contrast to. Note, the preferred abbreviation (vs.) ends with a period. Compared to is often clearer than versus. (Chicago)
via is correctly used as a noun when referring to a semiconductor device structure. (SEMATECH) As a preposition, via is Latin for by way of and refers to routing instructions only. This form of the term is rarely appropriate in technical writing. (Use through, using, or another, more appropriate term.) (Webster's)
where (in normal text) refers to a location. It is not a substitute for when, if, or that. (Consensus)
CORRECT
Touch the bottom of the screen where you see the prompt.
Records should be stored where they are easily and quickly accessible.
NOT
The last sample date is where zinc and iron readings began to differ slightly.
USE
Zinc and iron readings began to differ slightly on the last sample date.
OR
The last sample date was when zinc and iron readings began to differ slightly.
However, where clauses describe valid entries for software variables. (SEMATECH)
Type FOCUS FOC\#<Return> on the stepper keyboard, where # corresponds to the first unexposed row (1—10) of the test wafer.
which See that/which.
who/whose pertains to humans. Otherwise, use which, of which, or reword the sentence (Handbook)
X ray/X-ray should be written with a capital X. It is always hyphenated, whether used as a verb, noun, or adjective. When the term is used in a title, ray is written with a capital R. (Webster's)
point-source X-ray
to X-ray the joint of the containment pipe
soft X-ray projection lithography