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)
