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The correct use of "as discussed in the next section"

Question
What is the correct use of "as discussed in the next section" and similar constructions?  —  Ali , Iran
Answer

What is the correct use of the three constructions below for signaling that a topic will be discussed later in a text?

   a) . . . as discussed in the next section

   b) . . . as it is discussed in the next section

   c) . . . as it will be discussed in the next section

 

Option a is used to tell the reader that discussion of a topic is coming later in the text:

  • The controversy over nuclear power continues , as discussed in the next section.

Options b and c, with “it is” or “it will be” should not be used in this way. In these constructions as is a synonym for because, and the sentences do not make sense:

  • The controversy over nuclear power continues , as it is discussed in the next section.
  • The controversy over nuclear power continues , as it will be discussed in the next section.

The correct use of options b and c is to explain to the reader why the discussion of a topic is being delayed until later:

  • The controversy over nuclear power will not be described here, as it is discussed in the next section. (=because it is discussed in the next section)
  • The controversy over nuclear power will not be described here, as it will be discussed in the next section. (=because it will be discussed in the next section)

 

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