This list is evolving. Have suggestions? Leave a comment and I’ll update as we go.
Making these small changes in your copy—be it fiction or non (news writers are so guilty of so many of these)—will lead to clarity and brevity, hallmarks of excellent writers. It won’t be easy at first. We use these phrases because they’re quick and easy. Writing concisely takes time and editing. After a while, though, you’ll start to find that you pick the wordy-phrase less and less often.
Phrases and words you can cut entirely
allegedly
as a matter of fact
currently
it is noted that
in my opinion
it has been found that
it has long been known that
it is a fact that
in fact
it is evident that
it is well known that
it may be said that
really
that said
type of
very
Phrases you can trim
after (the conclusion of)
(advance) warning
(advance) planning
add (an additional)
add (up)
(added) bonus
(affirmative) yes
(aid and) abet
(all-time) record
(anonymous) stranger
(annual) anniversary
(armed) gunman
ask (a question)
by (means of)
continue (on)
current (trend)
drop (down)
depreciate (in value)
is (found to be)
fewer (in number)
for (the purpose of)
(in order) to
in (the field of)
in (terms of)
(put an) end (to)
(unknown) suspect
(very) unique
Phrases you can change
a majority of — most
a sufficient amount of — enough
according to our data — we find
accordingly — therefore, so
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, twice
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
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 the amount of — for
in the case of — for
in the event that — if
in the near future — soon
in the neighborhood of — near, about, nearly
in the vicinity of — near
in this case — here
in view of the fact that — because, since
is capable of — can
is in a position to — can
it is interesting to note that — note that
it is our opinion that — we think
it is possible that — perhaps
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
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
the reason is because — because
utilize or utilization — use
with reference to — about
with the exception that — except that
