How to Avoid Wordiness
Wordiness doesn't add more meaning; it usually crowds what you are trying to say. Your writing will be clearer if you tighten these phrases!
Here are some wordy phrases and some substitutes:
a majority of -- most
a sufficient amount of -- enough
accordingly -- therefore, so
after the conclusion of -- after
along the lines of -- like
as is the case -- as is true
ascertain the location of -- find
at such time as -- when
at the present time -- now
at this point in time -- now
be deficient in -- lack
be in a position to -- can, be able
by a factor of two -- two times, double
by come to a conclusion -- conclude
despite the fact that -- although
due to the fact that -- because
during the time that -- while
equally as well -- as well, equally well
fewer in number -- fewer
for the purpose of -- to, for
for the reason that-- because
for this reason -- thus, therefore
give consideration to -- consider, examine
give indication of -- show, indicate, suggest
happen(s) to be -- am/is/are
has been proved to be -- is
if conditions are such that -- if
in a number of -- several, many
in all cases -- always
in case -- if
in close proximity to -- near
in excess of -- more than
in large measure -- largely
in many cases --often
in most cases -- usually
in no case -- never
in order that -- so that
in order to -- to
in some cases -- sometimes
in terms of -- in
in the amount of -- for
in the case of -- for
in the event that --if
in the field of -- in
in the near future -- soon
in the neighborhood of -- near, about, nearly
in the vicinity of -- near
in view of the fact that -- because, since
is capable of --can
is found to be -- is
is in a position to -- can
it has been found that -- (nothing--omit)
it has long been known that -- (nothing--omit)
it is a fact that -- (nothing-omit)
it is evident that -- (nothing-omit)
it is our opinion that -- we think
it is possible that -- perhaps
it is well known that -- (nothing-omit)
make inquiry regarding -- ask about, inquire about
manner in which -- how
not with standing the fact that -- although
on the basis of -- from, because, by
on the order of -- about,approximately
present in greater abundance -- more abundant
prior to -- before
provided that -- if
put an end to -- end
reach a conclusion -- conclude
serves the function of being -- is
subsequent to --after
the question as to -- whether
there can be little doubt that -- probably
utilize or utilization -- use
with reference to -- about
with the exception that -- except that
Wordiness can also result from
needless repetition of the same sense in different words. Phrases like the following are easily cut in half.
adequate enough -- adequate (or enough)
advance planning -- planning
appears to be --appears, seems
appear(s)basic essentials -- basics (or essentials)close proximity -- proximity
consensus of opinion -- consensus
cooperated together -- cooperated
definite decision -- decision
red in color --red
first priority -- priority
future predictions -- predictions
general rule -- rule
green colored -- green
increase in increments -- increase
initial prototype (model) -- prototype
major breakthrough -- breakthrough
necessary requirement -- requirement
outside periphery -- periphery
rate of speed --
speed
resemble in appearance -- resemble
true facts -- facts
twelve in number -- twelve
usual rule -- rule
very unique -- unique