Background
The client, an assistant professor in Biomedical Engineering from East Asia, had strong research findings supported by extensive experimental data. However, the manuscript had been returned by reviewers multiple times citing language issues, despite its technical accuracy.
Challenges Identified
The editor identified the following major issues:
- Grammatical errors and inconsistent verb tenses.
- Misuse of technical terms and prepositions common among ESL authors.
- Overly long sentences that affected clarity and readability.
- Awkward phrasing and literal translations from the author’s native language.
Editing Intervention
The manuscript underwent comprehensive **ESL and copyediting**, focusing on improving clarity and ensuring adherence to academic tone and journal formatting guidelines. The editing process included:
- Correcting grammatical, punctuation, and sentence structure errors.
- Refining technical terminology for accuracy and consistency.
- Simplifying overly complex sentences for better readability.
- Ensuring appropriate use of academic language and tone throughout the paper.
Outcome
Following ESL editing, the author resubmitted the manuscript to the same Scopus-indexed journal. The reviewers’ feedback was highly positive, noting that the revised version was significantly clearer and easier to read. The paper was accepted with only minor formatting corrections.
The client later reported increased confidence in writing future manuscripts in English, having learned from the editor’s tracked changes and comments.
Key Takeaway
For non-native English researchers, professional ESL editing can make a critical difference in how reviewers perceive the quality of a paper. Improved clarity, tone, and grammar ensure that strong research receives the attention it deserves.