Business Writing Tips from The Writing Center
Eliminate Wordiness - Step 4
June 7, 2007
Compress phrases that have unnecessary
words.
Why use a five-word phrase like
"regardless of the fact that" when a single word, "although," does the
same job?
Review the phrases with unnecessary words
listed below. Note the corresponding single-word replacements. Watch for
comparable phrases in your own writing, and compress them to one word.
Phrases with Unnecessary Words
|
a greater length of time |
- longer |
|
in view of the fact that |
- because |
|
in spite of the fact that |
- although |
|
during the time that |
- while |
|
on a regular basis |
- regularly |
|
with the exception of |
- except |
|
in most cases |
- usually |
|
at a later date |
- later |
|
in the vicinity of |
- near |
|
until such time as |
- until |
|
at the present time |
- now |
This edition was adapted from our Effective
Business Writing Program. Previous editions
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