Writing Tips
http://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca
Common menu bar links
Institutional Links
-
Translation Bureau
Language Portal of Canada
-
TERMIUM Plus®
-
Index I
- I
- Ibero-
- ice
- iced
- icono-
- ideal
- ideo-
- idioms: blue-sky
- idioms: get your ducks in a row
- idioms: hat trick
- idioms: in a jiffy
- idioms: pushing the envelope
- i.e.
- if
- if and when
- if I was
- if I were
- if not
- igni-
- ignitable
- ignitible
- il-
- Île-à-la-Crosse
- Îles-de-la-Madeleine
- illegal
- illegible
- illicit (1)
- illicit (2)
- illusion
- im-
- imbue
- immanent
- immigrate
- imminent (1)
- imminent (2)
- immune from
- immune to
- impinge on
- impinge upon
- imply
- imports
- impress by
- impress on
- impress upon
- impress with
- impulse
- in
- in-
- in accordance to
- in accordance with
- in all probability
- inasmuch as
- incapable
- incapable of
- incidence
- incidents
- include
- inclusive
- inclusively
- in conjunction with
- in connection with
- in consequence
- in contrast to
- inculcate
- indefinite pronouns
- indexes: abbreviations and other reference tools
- indexes: alphabetical arrangement
- indexes: blind references
- indexes: capitalization
- indexes: choice of terms
- indexes: combined entries
- indexes: complex entry
- indexes: continued headings
- indexes: cross-references
- indexes: "dangling" entries
- indexes: definition
- indexes: double posting
- indexes: entry versus subentry
- indexes: geographical names
- indexes: government departments and agencies
- indexes: homonyms
- indexes: length
- indexes: listing of subentries
- indexes: newspapers and periodicals
- indexes: personal names
- indexes: referenced material
- indexes: scientific names
- indexes: scope and complexity
- indexes: simple entry
- indexes: syntax of heading
- indifferent to
- indifferent toward(s)
- indirect objects
- indiscriminate
- indispensable for
- indispensable to
- individual
- Indo-
- inequity
- in excess of
- in fact
- infer
- infest
- infested by
- infested with
- infinitive
- infinitive phrase
- inflammable
- influenza
- inform (1)
- inform (2)
- infra-
- infringe
- infringe on
- infringe upon
- infuse
- ingenious
- ingenuous
- ingratiate
- iniquity
- initiative
- initiative (on one’s own)
- innovation
- in preference to
- in proximity to
- in receipt of
- in regard to
- insanitary
- inside of
- insight about
- insight as to
- insight into
- insight regarding
- insinuate
- insinuate into
- insofar as
- in spite of the fact that
- instil
- instill
- insure
- integrate
- integrate into
- integrate with
- intense
- intensive
- intensive pronouns
- inter
- inter-
- intercede for
- intercede on behalf of
- intercede with
- interjections
- interment
- intern
- internecine
- internet
- Internet (1)
- Internet (2)
- internment
- internship
- in the absence of
- in the amount of
- in the circumstances
- in the event that
- in the near future
- in the neighbourhood of
- in the order of
- in the sum of
- in the wake of
- into
- into effect
- intra-
- intranet
- intro-
- Inuit
- Inuk (Linguistic recommendation from the Translation Bureau)
- inukshuk
- inukshuks
- inuksuit
- inuksuk
- invalid
- invest
- invested as
- invest in
- invest with
- in view of the fact that
- invigorating
- in virtue of
- Iqaluit
- Iqalummiuq
- Iqalummiut
- ir-
- Iranian
- irregardless
- irrespective
- italics: emphasis
- italics: French and foreign words
- italics: identifying matter
- italics: introduction
- italics: legal references
- italics: letters and words cited
- italics: mathematical and scientific material
- italics: modes of transportation
- italics: peripheral matter
- italics: titles of works
- its
- it’s
Proactive Disclosure
Important notice
Writing Tips has been archived and won’t be updated before it is permanently deleted.
For the most up-to-date content, please consult Writing Tips Plus, which combines content from Writing Tips and The Canadian Style. And don’t forget to update your bookmarks!
Search and Functionalities Area
italics: mathematical and scientific material
Follow the guidelines below for the use of italics in mathematical, statistical and scientific contexts.
Genera and species
Italicize the scientific (Latin) names of genera and species in botanical, zoological and paleontological matter:
- The sugar maple (Acer saccharum) is a member of the family Aceraceae.
Do not italicize the names of the larger subdivisions (phyla, classes, orders, families and tribes):
- The order Primates includes modern man (Homo sapiens).
Letters in algebra and geometry
Italicize letters designating unknown quantities and constants, lines, etc., in algebraic, geometric and similar matter:
- Let n be the number of molecules …
- 5x × a2 – 2ab
Note in the second example that no space is left between the numerical coefficients and the variables, and that the italics help to differentiate between the variable x and the multiplication sign. Correct spacing and italic type also help to distinguish between algebraic variables and SI/metric symbols:
- 10x m
- 6a cm
- 10b L
Quantity symbols
Italicize quantity symbols such as l for length, m for mass and v for velocity in order to distinguish them from unit symbols such as "L" for litre, "m" for metre and "V" for volt, which are normally printed in roman type:
- 60 N = m × 12m/s²
- m = 5 kg
(N = newton, m = mass, and m = metre)
Chemical prefixes
Italicize Latin prefixes and Greek and Roman letters used as prefixes to the names of chemical and biochemical compounds:
- cis-dimethylethylene
- ß-lactose
- N-acylneuraminic acid
- M-xylene
Greek and Roman letters in statistics
A number of Greek and Roman letters used in statistical formulas and notations are italicized:
- P (probability of)
- µ (population mean)
- Ó (population standard deviation)
- Ó² (population variance)
© Public Services and Procurement Canada, 2024
TERMIUM Plus®, the Government of Canada's terminology and linguistic data bank
Writing tools – Writing Tips
A product of the Translation Bureau
