Nov 27, 2006 10:22
18 yrs ago
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English term
Spain
Your science in my language
Native in: English 
Works in: English, Spanish to English
the reaction was followed/monitored by NMR spectroscopy
English
Science
Chemistry; Chem Sci/Eng
Are followed and monitored synonyms? I have always allowed the use of both when editing manuscripts but I've recently been ordered to only use "monitored". I'm not sure whether this is simply a question of house style or a linguistic point. Thanks in advance.
Responses
+3
4 mins
Marie-Hélène Hayles
Native in English
&
English
Specializes in field
medicine - chemistry - pharmaceuticals
Native in: English
Works in: Italian to English, English
Related KudoZ points
:
16
Selected
I'd say they're synonyms
I'd guess it's just in-house style - the meaning is the same in this context.
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Note added at 18 mins (2006-11-27 10:40:11 GMT)
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I was just about to post a comment to David's answer when I realised (as he already had) that you seem to be asking about the two terms in general, not only in this specific case. While for your example the two terms are synonyms, as David points out there are many cases where they have a different meaning.
So I'd say you need to evaluate which to use on a case-by-case basis.
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Note added at 22 mins (2006-11-27 10:44:04 GMT)
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Following Andrew's note, I stick by my original answer.
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Note added at 18 mins (2006-11-27 10:40:11 GMT)
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I was just about to post a comment to David's answer when I realised (as he already had) that you seem to be asking about the two terms in general, not only in this specific case. While for your example the two terms are synonyms, as David points out there are many cases where they have a different meaning.
So I'd say you need to evaluate which to use on a case-by-case basis.
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Note added at 22 mins (2006-11-27 10:44:04 GMT)
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Following Andrew's note, I stick by my original answer.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Gillian Scheibelein
: In chemspeak, these terms are interchangeable. Nevertheless, I tend to use monitoring if the reaction is just being watched to see when it is complete, and "followed" if they are measuring kinetic parameters
26 mins
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| agree |
David Wright (X)
1 hr
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| agree |
Jörgen Slet
: I have noticed the tendencies that Gillian describes :)
4 hrs
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks to everyone for their answers/comments. Shame I can't share the points out."
+3
4 mins
David Knowles
Native in English
&
English
Specialist in Civil Law & Contracts
Native in: English
Works in: Russian to English, English, Ukrainian to English
Related KudoZ points
:
20
monitored
"followed" has more the meaning of "observed", whereas "monitored" allows the possibility of changes as a result of the observation.
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Note added at 6 mins (2006-11-27 10:28:56 GMT)
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E.g. His blood sugar levels were monitored, and insulin administered automatically as a result. I don't think you could use "followed" here.
If it's an operation being observed by a camera, you could say: all the actions of the surgeon were followed/tracked by the camera.
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Note added at 6 mins (2006-11-27 10:28:56 GMT)
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E.g. His blood sugar levels were monitored, and insulin administered automatically as a result. I don't think you could use "followed" here.
If it's an operation being observed by a camera, you could say: all the actions of the surgeon were followed/tracked by the camera.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
kmtext
11 mins
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| agree |
monbuckland
19 mins
|
| agree |
Romanian Translator (X)
48 mins
|
+1
7 mins
Melanie Nassar
United States
United States
Native in English
&
English
United States
dedicated, prompt, accurate
Native in: English
Works in: German to English, English, English to German, and 1 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
8
followed by + potential for misunderstanding
I can image a number of cases where "followed by" might lead to misunderstanding, as if describing a sequence of events. I actually prefer monitoring in this context.
Peer comment(s):
| agree |
Jörgen Slet
: "followed by" might be misunderstood, especially by a layman
4 hrs
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Discussion
David, this is a chemical reaction so nothing can be done to it during the following/monitoring process otherwise it becomes something completely different. This spectroscopic technique is simply used to see what might be happening in solution during the progress of the reaction and when it is complete. Do you still feel the same?
Melanie, can you give me some examples?