Avoiding Wordiness

Huron Writing Skills Centre

Avoid redundant phrases

These are phrases that repeat what has already been said, or what is obvious from the text. Look at these examples and see if you can see why they are redundant:

as necessary dead body as a usual rule last but not least we are pleased to advise we wish to state in my opinion I believe here and now if and when as a matter of fact in the foreseeable future in point of fact rich and wealthy completely finished basic essentials yellow in color circular in shape return back

Avoid the passive tense

Avoid the passive tense. The passive, as we have said before, is wordy and often makes the sentence difficult to understand.

It is believed that...... This sentiment is expressed by..... It is stated that...... Film is viewed as ........ It has been proven that ...... It has been said that .......

Avoid cliches

for your information in short supply as per needless to say in the matter of as you will have

noted regarding the matter of please feel free to

Don’t use a long phrase where one or two words will do

• in the event that...................................................if • at this point in time..............................................now • for the reason that................................................because • in a great many instances.....................................often • situated in the vicinity of ....................................near • during the same time that....................................while • in the not too distant future.................................soon • prior to the time that...........................................before • in such a manner as to.........................................to • for a period of ....................................................for • connect up together.............................................join • bitter-tasting........................................................bitter

Practice!

As per your letter of May 14th , it is our opinion that it is entirely conceivable that the damage that was done to your car was the direct result of unusual driving activity which occurred while you were in control of the vehicle.

Practice!

It was stated, by several witnesses, that the Toyota left the roadway and proceeded to progress up Elm Street using the sidewalk instead of the roadway. Cars that are used in this manner exhibit a tendency to be damaged along the underside and in terms of the wheel alignment. As a matter of fact, that is the specific type of damage which was reported as being characteristic of your vehicle.

Practice!

The damage you reported has a cost in the neighborhood of $5,000. For the reasons listed above, it is with great regret that we must inform you that we will be unable at this time to reimburse you for these costs. I hope this letter brings to an end any queries you might have about your insurance coverage. Please feel free to write to us at any time if you have further queries that you wish us to answer.