Extra Words
Extra words often appear in technical writing. These add nothing to the meaning of the text and slow down the reader. These are closely related to the complex words issue.
If you find the words or phrases from the left-hand column in your text, consider the alternatives in the right-hand column.
Avoid this | Consider this |
---|---|
a certain number of | some |
a considerable amount of | much |
a considerable number of | many |
a decreased amount of | less |
a decreased number of | fewer |
a number of | some, many |
accounted for by the fact that | because |
already exist | exist |
alternative choices | choices |
an adequate amount of | enough |
an example of this is the fact that | for example |
annual basis | annually, every year |
any and all | (pick one) |
as a consequence | so |
as a result of | because |
as is well known | (delete) |
as well as | and |
as yet | yet |
at or about | (pick one) |
at the present time | now |
attached herewith is | here is |
based on the fact that | because |
bring to a conclusion | end, close, conclude |
by the use of | with |
come to an agreement | agree |
compared with | than |
comply with | meet, obey |
conduct an evaluation | evaluate |
conduct an investigation | study, investigate |
considering the fact that | because |
contributing factor | factor |
despite the fact that | despite |
do an inspection of | inspect |
due to the fact that | because |
duly authorized | authorized |
during such time | while |
during the course of | during |
each and every | (pick one) |
end result | result |
excessive number | too many |
for a period of | for |
for all intents and purposes | virtually |
for the purpose of | to |
for the reason that | because |
from the time that | since |
furnish a solution | solve |
future plans | plans |
give rise to | cause |
group together | group |
has been shown to be | is |
has been widely acknowledged as | is |
has the ability | can |
have an effect on | affect, influence |
in a westward direction | west |
in consequence | so |
in consequence of this fact | therefore |
in height | high, tall |
in light of the fact that | because |
in only a small number of cases | rarely |
in order to | to |
in regard to | about |
in the amount of | for |
in the ballpark | about, around |
in the event of | if |
in the near future | soon |
in the neighbourhood of | near, about |
in the vicinity of | near, close to |
in view of the fact that | because |
in whole or in part | (delete) |
is authorized to | may |
is of the opinion | believes |
it appears that | apparently |
it has long been known that | (delete) |
it is important to note that | (delete) |
it is requested | please |
it may, however, be noted that | but |
lacks the ability to | cannot |
located in immediate vicinity of | near |
majority of | most |
make an assumption that | assume |
may, in its sole discretion | may |
mutual agreement | agreement |
mutually agree | agree |
new development | development |
not correct | incorrect |
not in a position to | unable to, cannot |
notwithstanding the fact that | although |
of an indefinite nature | indefinite |
on a weekly basis | weekly |
on condition that | if |
on most occasions | usually |
on the grounds that | because |
one and only | only |
owing to the fact that | because |
per annum | yearly, per year, a year |
per diem | daily, daily allowance |
perform an assessment of | assess |
period of n days | n days |
point in time | time |
potentially dangerous/hazardous | unsafe, dangerous |
previous to | before |
prior experience | experience |
prior to | before |
prior to the occasion when | before |
provide a description of | describe |
provided that | if |
pursuant to | under, about, following, by |
saving and excepting | except |
set out | explain, describe |
should it prove to be the case that | if |
significant portion | most |
so as to be able to | to |
spell out | explain, describe |
standards and criteria | standards |
start off | start |
subsequent to | after |
such time as | when |
sufficient number | enough |
take into consideration | consider |
terms and conditions | terms, conditions |
the question as to whether | whether |
the vast majority of | most |
to all appearances | apparently |
true facts | facts |
undertake an analysis | analyze |
was found to be | was |
while at the same time | while |
within a comparatively short period | soon |
within the realm of possibility | possible |
worst-case scenario | at worst |
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