- #1
nomadreid
Gold Member
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This is not a contextual question, but a stylistic one; hence it doesn't seem to belong in the other threads.
I am proof-reading a paper, and I am unsure about the way the author uses square brackets for the indication of (numbered) sources. In order not to be quoting a source without authorization or citation, I will make up an example that follows the author's style:
"This solution can be used to develop further examples of the application of this technique [18], [26]. In particular, in [26], the transformations are used as new variables..."
Note that he uses the square brackets in two different ways: in the first case "technique [18], [26]" , he uses them to say "see [18] and [26] for details", whereas in the final case,"In particular, in [26]," he is using the brackets as a substitute for the title etc. of the source. Put another way, the first case is an aside, a parenthetical statement, whereas the second case is used as a noun in the sentence itself. This appears to be to be inconsistent.
Am I being too picky, or if not, what is the solution?
While I am here, the author occasionally (thinking in the structure of his native language) occasionally uses "the obtained solution"; more natural would be something like "the solution thereby obtained", but is "the obtained solution" also acceptable?
Thanks for any guidance.
I am proof-reading a paper, and I am unsure about the way the author uses square brackets for the indication of (numbered) sources. In order not to be quoting a source without authorization or citation, I will make up an example that follows the author's style:
"This solution can be used to develop further examples of the application of this technique [18], [26]. In particular, in [26], the transformations are used as new variables..."
Note that he uses the square brackets in two different ways: in the first case "technique [18], [26]" , he uses them to say "see [18] and [26] for details", whereas in the final case,"In particular, in [26]," he is using the brackets as a substitute for the title etc. of the source. Put another way, the first case is an aside, a parenthetical statement, whereas the second case is used as a noun in the sentence itself. This appears to be to be inconsistent.
Am I being too picky, or if not, what is the solution?
While I am here, the author occasionally (thinking in the structure of his native language) occasionally uses "the obtained solution"; more natural would be something like "the solution thereby obtained", but is "the obtained solution" also acceptable?
Thanks for any guidance.