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Eliminating Wordiness |
What is wordiness might be a question that may crop up in your mind. Wordiness stems from a tendency most writers have of adding words and phrases to their sentences that do not really add to the meaning. Also, such "fillers" can detract the readers' attention from the actual thrust of the sentence. When editing and proofreading, you can fine-tune your writing by deleting extra words or finding more concise phrases for certain expressions. Eliminating wordiness helps to communicate your ideas more clearly and effectively.
Here are a few easy steps to eliminate wordiness in your writing:
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| 1. Avoid repetition of words and phrases with similar meanings: |
Often, we tend to use words that mean the same.
Example: This is a true fact, and I am eye-witness to the incident.
The words, "true" and "fact" both mean the same. You don't need to use both in a sentence.
Better: This is a fact and I am eye-witness to the incident.
Here is a table for your reference:
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| Avoid |
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Better |
| This day and age |
This day |
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| Feelings and emotions |
Emotions |
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| Fell down |
Fell |
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| Climb up |
Climb |
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| A true fact |
Fact |
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| New innovation |
Innovation |
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| Red in color |
Red |
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| Resulting effect |
Effect |
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| Free gift |
Gift |
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| Circle around |
Circle |
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| Close proximity |
Proximity |
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| 2. Replace weak verbs with verbs of conclusion: |
Avoid verbs that do not denote any specific action with stronger verbs of action.
Example:
Avoid: He came to the conclusion that he would employ Jane.
Better: He concluded he would employ Jane.
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| 3. Avoid intensifiers: |
"Intensifiers" are typically adverbs that are used for emphasis but often have the effect of making a piece of writing wordy. These can be safely omitted or, at least, used sparingly.
Avoid: I truly wish I had met you sooner.
Better: I wish I had met you sooner.
Avoid: I am somewhat confused about the procedures.
Better: I am confused about the procedures.
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| 4. Avoid filler phrases like, "it is," "there is," etc.: |
Avoid beginning sentences with expletive constructions or "filler phrases" like, "it is," "there is," "there were," etc. These often delay the sentence's main subject and verb; thus, more words are required to complete the sentence.
Example:
Avoid: There were many people who gathered for the festival.
Better: Many people gathered for the festival.
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| 5. Replace phrases and clauses with single words where possible: |
Often you can find a shorter way of saying something by choosing certain words or phrases over entire clauses.
Example:
Clause: Because Jane was feeling sad, she went to bed early.
Phrase: Feeling sad, Jane went to bed early.
Word: Sad, Jane went to bed early.
Avoid: At this point in time, I own several houses.
Better: Now, I own several houses.
Make eliminating wordiness a conscious process in your writing. This is one of the most efficient ways to improve it. A concise piece of writing carries impact, is interesting to read, and shows the writer's level of competence over the language. Using the tips above, try to edit an essay or a paragraph that you have written. How many words did you manage to delete?
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