There are many reasons that we write using cluttered phrases and general wordiness. Most practically, when you have a minimum word count, it helps you to reach that word count. It also makes us feel as though our writing sounds smarter. The truth is, though, that readers much prefer less clutter and wordiness and more clarity. Below are some examples of frequently used "clutter" phrases, along with their more succinct, effective counterparts. As you read through your essay during the editing phase, it's always a good idea to look for these wordy phrases and try to replace them with more straightforward words or phrases.
| Clutter | More succinct wording |
|---|---|
| a great number of times | often, frequently |
| a little less than | almost |
| a small number of | few |
| a large number of | many |
| a period of several weeks | several weeks |
| a sufficient number of | enough |
| absolute guarantee | guarantee |
| absolutely essential | essential |
| adding together | adding |
| advance planning | planning |
| any and all | all |
| as a general rule | as a rule |
| at regular intervals of time | regularly |
| at some future date | sometime, later |
| at the conclusion of | after |
| balance against one another | balance |
| called attention to the fact | reminded |
| came to a stop | stopped |
| cancel out | cancel |
| cannot be possible | cannot be |
| close proximity | close |
| close scrutiny | scrutiny |
| commute back and forth | commute |
| consensus of opinion | consensus |
| continue on | continue |
| current status | status |
| current trend | trend |
| despite the fact that | although |
| detailed information | details |
| different kinds | kinds |
| due to the fact that | because, since |
| during that time | then, while, as |
| end result | result |
| ended his talk | concluded |
| entered a bid of | bid |
| equally as well | equally |
| established precedent | precedent |
| estimated at about | estimated at |
| estimated roughly at | estimated at |
| expressed the belief | said |
| few in number | few |
| final outcome | outcome |
| first and foremost | first |
| first priority | priority |
| for a period of 10 days | for 10 days |
| for a short space of time | for a short time |
| for the purpose of advancing | to advance |
| future plans | plans |
| general conclusion | conclusion |
| general public | public |
| goals and objectives | goals |
| guest speaker | speaker |
| hidden pitfall | pitfall |
| honest truth | truth |
| hot water heater | water heater |
| if that were the case | if so |
| in addition to | and, besides, also |
| in case of | of, concerning |
| in excess of | more |
| in the absence of | without |
| in the near future | soon |
| in the not too distant future | eventually |
| in the event that | if |
| in view of the fact that | considering |
| introduced a new | introduced |
| introduced for the first time | introduced |
| invited guests | guests |
| is of the opinion that | believes |
| is opposed to | opposes |
| joined together | joined |
| lift up | lift |
| major portion of | most of |
| merged together | merged |
| midway between | between |
| new innovation | innovation |
| off of | off |
| official business | business |
| on account of | because |
| on behalf of | for |
| one and the same | the same |
| on two different occasions | twice |
| once n a great while | sekdinm rarely |
| past experience | experience |
| past experience | experience |
| past history | history |
| personal opinion | opinion |
| placed its seal of approval on | approved |
| point in time | time |
| prior to | before |
| probed into | probed |
| refer back to | refer to |
| regular weekly meeting | meeting |
| repeat again | repeat |
| rise up | rise |
| since the time when | subce |
| tendered his resignation | resigned |
| this particular instance | this instance |
| there is no doubt | doubtless |
| true facts | facts |
| total operating costs | operating costs |
| unsolved problem | problem |
| went on to say | continued, added |
| when and if | if |
| whether or not | whether |
| with the exception of | except |
Zinsser, William. On Writing Well: An Informal Guide to Writing Nonfiction. New York, Harper & Row, 1980.
Jennifer H Rowan • (865) 354-3000 ext. 4329 • Click name for email address
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