| 1. Avoid using a phrase when
a word will do. |
| |
has the ability to |
= |
can |
| |
in this day and age
|
= |
today |
| |
is aware of the fact that |
= |
knows |
| |
due to the fact that |
= |
because |
| |
the majority of |
= |
most |
| |
on a daily basis |
= |
daily |
| |
each and every one |
= |
all |
| |
| 2. Eliminate redundant words. |
| |
the reason [why]
|
|
the [final] conclusion |
| |
[utmost] perfection |
|
enter [into] |
| |
[the month of] August |
|
[totally] oblivious |
| |
[the colour] green |
|
[past] experience |
| |
mix [together] |
|
correct [amount of] change |
| |
[viable] alternative |
|
[future] prospects |
| |
| 3. Avoid needless repetition. |
|
In trauma victims, breathing
is restored by artificial respiration. Techniques
of artificial respiration include mouth-to-mouth
respiration and mouth-to-nose respiration.
In trauma victims, breathing is restored
by artificial respiration, either by mouth-to-mouth
or mouth-to-nose. |
| |
4. Drop most "There is"
and "There are" sentence openers. |
| |
Dropping these openers places key words at the end of the sentence where they are best emphasized. |
| |
There are serious consequences
in failing to yield right of way.
Failing to yield right of way can have serious
consequences. |
| |
| 5. Avoid some "It" sentence
openers. |
| |
It gives me great pleasure
to introduce our speaker.
I am pleased to introduce our speaker. |
| |
| 6. Delete needless "to be"
constructions. |
| |
Forms of the verb "to be" (is, was, are, etc.) often add clutter without adding meaning. |
| |
I find some of his stories [to
be] amusing. |
| |
| 7. Avoid weak, wordy words. |
| |
is in conflict with
|
= |
conflicts |
| |
make an assumption |
= |
assume |
| |
come to a conclusion |
= |
conclude |
| |
take action |
= |
act |
| |
make a decision |
= |
decide |
| |
come to the realization |
= |
realize |
| |
| 8. Eliminate needless prepositions. |
| |
Some members of the
committee made these recommendations.
Some committee members made these recommendations.
A man by the name of Godot is waiting for
you.
A man named Godot is waiting for you. |
| |
| 9. Use "that" and "which"
sparingly. |
| |
This [is a] writing problem [that]
is easy to correct.
The book [, which is] about Hemingway [,] is fascinating. |
| |
| 10. Fight noun addiction. |
| |
Nouns manufactured from verbs (nominalizations) make your sentences weak and wordy. Weak verbs and needless prepositions often accompany nominalizations. |
| |
Give consideration to the possibility
of changing jobs.
Consider changing jobs. |
| |
| 11. Make negatives positive. |
| |
did not succeed |
= |
failed |
| |
does not have |
= |
lacks |
| |
did not prevent |
= |
allowed |
| |
not unless |
= |
only if |
| |
| 12. Clear out the clutter words. |
| |
Here are some of the most common: |
| very, definitely, quite,
extremely, rather, somewhat, really, actually, situation, aspect,
factor. (Use such words when they actually advance your
meaning). |
|
|
| This document was prepared by Dr. I. Streight for the Writing Centre at Queen's University and is here used with permission. |
