The use of "respectively"

Question

Hello,The following are some similar sentences that I am going to use in my technical report, but I do not know whether it is correct."Let p represent a graph G (respectively, table T). In our model, the graph G (respectively, table T) has 10 nodes (respectively, cells). Our data shows that the size of graph G (respectively, table T) is moderate."Is the above sentence true?Thank you.

Mister Micawber · Accepted Answer

Hello, Jin Choi—and welcome to English Forums. Thank you for registering as a member.

Jin ChoiIs the above sentence true?

We know nothing of its truth, since we are not privy to your report or its data. However, it is not correct. You should delete all of your 'respectively's. They are wrong there. Also, 'data' should be considered plural there.

Jin Choi · Answer

Thank you for your answer.
The original sentences I intend to write are as follows:

" Let p represent a graph G or a table T. In our model, the graph G (respectively, table T) has 10 nodes (respectively, cells). Our data show that the size of graph G (respectively, table T) is moderate."

Is the above sentence grammatically correct?

Mister Micawber · Answer

Jin ChoiIs the above sentence grammatically correct?

No. As I have already said, 'respectively' is wrong. Delete all of them..

Dave_anon · Answer

Hi

The word 'respectively' is only really needed if you are talking about a number of things that are of the same kind and it means 'in the same order' ...

- In the following equation, a, v and d represent acceleration, velocity and distance, respectively

I disagree, respectfully, with Mr M about data. It is a Latin plural but I don't think I've ever heard a UK speaker use it in the plural

- Our data is good and it gives an accurate picture of the situation

Dave

Mister Micawber · Answer

dave_anonI disagree, respectfully, with Mr M about data. It is a Latin plural but I don't think I've ever heard a UK speaker use it in the plural

I'm easy (as an AmE, who use both), but I chose the plural here because of the '10 nodes' just mentioned.

Jin Choi · Answer

Thank you for your reply.

I found the following sentence using google search ("Algorithm Theory" written by Fedor V. Fomin, et al. ).

"Next, for a set of lines L (resp. a set of line segments S), let V (A(L)) (resp. V(A(S))) denote the set of vertices of the arrangement A(L) (resp. A(S)) formed by the ..."

The intention of writing "respectively" here is to avoid the duplicated sentences.

It seems like the following sentence has the same structure with the above.

" In our model, the graph G (respectively, table T) has 10 nodes (respectively, cells). Our data show that the size of graph G (respectively, table T) is moderate."

I do not understand why the following sentence is wrong. Could anyone correct the following sentence with the same meaning without duplication?

"Let p represent a graph G or a table T. In our model, the graph G (respectively, table T) has 10 nodes (respectively, cells). Our data show that the size of graph G (respectively, table T) is moderate."

Mister Micawber · Answer

Jin ChoiI found the following sentence using google search ("Algorithm Theory" written by Fedor V. Fomin, et al. )."Next, for a set of lines L (resp. a set of line segments S), let V (A(L)) (resp. V(A(S))) denote the set of vertices of the arrangement A(L) (resp. A(S)) formed by the ..."

I see no reason for 'resp' there, either.

Jin Choi Could anyone correct the following sentence with the same meaning without duplication?"Let p represent a graph G or a table T. In our model, the graph G (respectively, table T) has 10 nodes (respectively, cells). Our data show that the size of graph G (respectively, table T) is moderate."

Sure:

Let p represent a graph G or a table T. In our model, the graph G (table T) has 10 nodes (cells). Our data show that the size of graph G (table T) is moderate.

Fivejedjon · Answer

Jin Choi"Next, for a set of lines L (resp. a set of line segments S), let V (A(L)) (resp. V(A(S))) denote the set of vertices of the arrangement A(L) (resp. A(S)) formed by the ..."

That, and your next example, do not appear to make sense to me

I wonder if this is related to a problem German learners of English have. They often translate the German word 'beziehungsweise' as 'respectively' when native speakers would use 'and/or'.

In your example, I would consider a a rephrasing such as In our model,, graph G and table T have nodes and cells respectively or In our model, graph G has nodes and table T cells

The use of "respectively"

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