 |
Follow the principles below to write sentences that are clear,
to the point, and easier to read.
|
Put wordy phrases on a diet
 |
Make sentences concise
by eliminating wordy phrases.
| Wordy
sentence |
Concise
sentence |
| In a situation
in which a class is overenrolled, you may request that the
instructor force-add you. |
When
a class is overenrolled, you may ask the instructor to force-add
you. |
| I will now
make a few observations concerning the matter of contingency
funds. |
I will now
make a few observations about contingency funds. |
| There is
a need for more careful inspection of all welds. |
You must
inspect all welds more carefully.
Inspect all welds more carefully. |
(Williams, 1985, p. 79) |
|
| Words to use |
Here are some words you can use to
trim the fat off of wordy phrases:
| Instead
of . . . |
Use
. . . |
| |
because,
since, why |
| |
although,
even, though |
| |
if |
- on
the occasion of
- in
a situation in which
- under
circumstances in which
|
when |
- as
regards
- in
reference to
- with
regard to
- concerning
the matter of
- where
. . . is concerned
|
about |
- it
is crucial that
- it
is necessary that
- there
is a need/necessity for
- it
is important that
- it
is incumbent upon
- cannot
be avoided
|
must,
should |
- is
able to
- has
the opportunity to
- is
in a position to
- has
the capacity for
- has
the ability to
|
can |
- it
is possible that
- there
is a chance that
- it
could happen that
- the
possibility exists for
|
may,
might, can, could |
- prior
to
- in
anticipation of
- subsequent
to
- following
on
- at
the same time as
- simultaneously
with
|
before,
after, as |
|
|
