{"id":11453,"date":"2017-12-04T08:00:22","date_gmt":"2017-12-04T02:00:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/?p=11453"},"modified":"2023-10-10T18:17:22","modified_gmt":"2023-10-10T12:17:22","slug":"write-latin-terms-manuscript","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.enago.com\/academy\/write-latin-terms-manuscript\/","title":{"rendered":"In Vivo Vs. In Vitro: Writing Latin Terms in Your Manuscript"},"content":{"rendered":"

We see these words often in written works\u2014the italicized abbreviations that no one seems to be able to define. They are commonly used in scientific papers. We should ensure that we are consistent in the use and format. Moreover, for Latin or any foreign phrases should we use italics<\/a>, boldface, or regular font? The following will help.<\/p>\n

Different Styles<\/h2>\n

First, let\u2019s discuss different style guides. It wasn\u2019t long ago that we had to italicize every word that was not written in English. Unfortunately, Latin terms are used so often in scientific papers that they become cumbersome. Some style guides<\/a> have since adopted a \u201cno italics\u201d style for many common terms.<\/p>\n

<\/div>\n

ab initio<\/em>, meaning \u201cfrom the beginning.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This is most often used in law.
\nExample<\/u>: \u201cThe agreement was declared void ab initio<\/em>.\u201d<\/p>\n

et al.<\/em>, meaning \u201cand others.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Note the period after \u201cal.\u201d In any writings, especially when using citations and references, \u201cet al.<\/em>\u201d is commonly used.
\nExample<\/u>: Rogers et al.<\/em><\/strong> (2016) provide more evidence on the hypothesis.<\/p>\n

in situ<\/em>, meaning \u201cin its original place.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

In biology, this often describes a plant or animal in its native habitat.
\nExample<\/u>: The wolf was photographed in situ<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

in vitro<\/em>, meaning \u201ctaking place outside an organism.\u201d<\/p>\n

in vivo<\/em>, meaning \u201ctaking place inside a living organism.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Both in vitro<\/em> and in vivo<\/em> are most often used in scientific writing.<\/p>\n

Example<\/u>: The cancer cells were grown in vitro<\/em> in a controlled environment.<\/p>\n

The Chicago Manual of Style<\/em><\/a> (CMOS) and the American Psychological Association suggest that common abbreviations need not be italicized. For example:<\/p>\n

\u201cetc.\u201d is short for \u201cet cetera<\/em>,\u201d and means \u201cand so forth\u201d or \u201cand others.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201ce.g.\u201d is short for exempli gratia<\/em> and means \u201cfor example.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201ci.e.\u201d is short for id est<\/em> and means \u201cin other words.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Many authors confuse \u201ce.g.\u201d and \u201ci.e.\u201d Be sure that you know the difference. An easy way to remember them is that \u201ce.g.\u201d begins with \u201ce\u201d and so does \u201cexample;\u201d \u201ci.e.\u201d begins with \u201cI\u201d and so does \u201cin.\u201d \u00a0( hyperlink for EA article)<\/p>\n

Example<\/u>: The family pet (i.e., the dog) ran around the house and chewed up everything left on the floor (e.g., shoes and toys).<\/p>\n

\u201cn.b.\u201d is short for nota bene<\/em> and means \u201cnote well.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Except for use in legal papers, the term has been replaced by just the word \u201cnote.\u201d<\/p>\n

Example<\/u>: \u201cNote the following information to help you decide.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cca.\u201d or \u201cc.\u201d is an abbreviation for \u201ccirca<\/em>,\u201d which translated means \u201caround.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

These are used with dates to indicate approximation.<\/p>\n

Example<\/u>: Although not certain, the bones might date back to ca. 2000 BC.<\/p>\n

\u201cvs\u201d or \u201cv\u201d is an abbreviation of the Latin \u201cversus<\/em>,\u201d which means anti, opposed to, or against.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It is most often used in legal references but is also often used in scientific writing to compare results or statistical information.<\/p>\n

Example<\/u>: In the case Doyle vs. Hoppe, the witnesses did not show up.<\/p>\n

\u201csic\u201d is short for sic erat scriptum <\/em>and is placed in brackets after quoted text to inform the reader that the text was quoted exactly as it was written.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It is often also used to denote misspellings.<\/p>\n

\u201cc.v.\u201d is short for curriculum vitae<\/em>, meaning \u201ccourse of life.\u201d This term has replaced<\/a> the term \u201cresume.\u201d You will at some point be asked for your \u201cc.v.\u201d when applying for jobs or funding.<\/p>\n

There are several abbreviations used specifically in references as follows:<\/p>\n

\u201cIbid\u201d and \u201cId.\u201d are used to save space by not repeating the citation.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

They indicate that the subsequent reference(s) is from the same source. Ibid. is the abbreviation of ibidem<\/em> and means \u201cin the same place;\u201d id. is the abbreviation idem<\/em>, which means \u201cthe same person.\u201d<\/p>\n

Example<\/u>:<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Doyle, 115\u2013120.<\/li>\n
  2. Ibid.<\/li>\n
  3. Ibid. or<\/strong> Id., 250. (Note a new page. Id. can also be used.)<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u201ccf.\u201d is short for \u201cconfero<\/em>,\u201d which means \u201cto compare.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    It indicates a reference that is in disagreement with the author\u2019s statements.<\/p>\n

    Example<\/u>: Anderson 2008; cf. on populations Kramer 2016.<\/p>\n

    \u201cPassim<\/em>\u201d is not an abbreviation but is Latin for \u201chere and there.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    It indicates that a reference is found in several places in the cited text. CMOS recommends avoiding this term if possible. If not, include a date range.<\/p>\n

    Example<\/u>: Anderson 2008, 200\u2013300 passim. (Note: no italics.)<\/p>\n

    Related:\u00a0Are you struggling to adhere to the preferred style of your target journal? Get help from ntive experts now!<\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

    Latin Names<\/h2>\n

    Scientific writing is somewhat unique because it often mentions species names. This is especially true in biology, ecology, and medicine. Although many style guides state that Latin or other foreign terms need not be italicized after their first mention, species names are the exception.<\/p>\n

    The system of \u201cbinomial nomenclature\u201d was developed to identify a species using two names, genus and its epithet. In your writing, the genus should always be initial capped and italicized. The epithet, referred to as the \u201cspecies,\u201d is not initial capped but is also always italicized.<\/p>\n

    For example, humans are Homo sapiens<\/em>. Homo<\/em> is the genus and sapiens<\/em> is the species. There are always several species within a genus. There are often several subspecies within a species. The general rule is to italicize each of these.<\/p>\n

    For example, the genus Canis<\/em> encompasses the wolf, dog, jackal, and coyote. Each has its own species name. Canis lupus<\/em> refers to the gray wolf but there are 38 subspecies of Canis lupus<\/em>. In this case, you would italicize the full species names. For example, Canis lupus familiaris <\/em>refers to the domesticated dog.<\/p>\n

    This protocol is always the rule. After the first mention of a species name, the genus can be abbreviated to just the first letter but must still be italicized (e.g., C. lupus<\/em>).<\/p>\n

    You are ready to write and submit your paper to a prestigious journal in your field of study. The author guidelines do not mention the protocol for Latin and other foreign words and phrases. How do you find out what you should do?<\/p>\n

    \n\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>