Word Choice

Contains Begins with Exact Sounds like

Term	Definition
gender/sex	gender is cultural, and is the term to use when referring to men and women as social groups; sex is biologic; use sex when the biologic distinction is predominant
length (of time or drug effect)	prefer duration
level	avoid in favor of concentration
millimole/millimolar/millimolal	millimole (mmol) refers to an amount; millimolar (mM; mmol/L) refers to a concentration; millimolal refers to a concentration
mucus/mucous	mucus is the noun; mucous is the adjective
negative/normal	Cultures, tests for reactions, etc. may be negative or positive, whereas observations, results, or findings are normal or abnormal
oppress/repress/suppress	oppress, keep down by force; repress, forcibly subdue or restrain; suppress, inhibit or block The dictator oppressed the people. The subject's repressed memories of abuse led to his symptoms. Gene expression was suppressed by RNAi.
optimum/optimal	while both optimum and optimal are adjectives, only optimum can be used as a noun; indicating the best or most favorable conditions leading to desirable results
percent/percentage	Percent (or the symbol %) is always used with a specific number. Percentage is used without a number.
prevalence/incidence	prevalence is the condition of being widespread or common, and incidence refers to the rate of occurrence

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