Conciseness means avoiding unnecessary words in your writing. Reducing the number of words you use can make your writing stronger. Often it helps the reader focus on the message you are trying to convey. The following chart shows some strategies for avoiding wordiness in your writing. Click the blue links in the left-hand column to display examples.

Strategies for Avoiding Wordiness

Avoid redundant expressions	These are word groupings that state the same thing twice. Although they may be commonly used, they are incorrect and should never be used.
Avoid wordy phrases	These are phrases that have become common but should not be used. A single word can usually convey the same information more effectively.
Don't overuse the verb "to be"	The verb to be often requires other structure words. By replacing to be with a stronger verb, you can make some sentences both shorter and more effective.
Don't repeat the same word unnecessarily	Often you can combine sentences and use pronouns to avoid this repetition.
Don't use "there is" or "there are" when not necessary	This subject-verb combination provides little information to a reader. Strengthen and shorten sentences by using more informative subjects and verbs.
Avoid flowery or pretentious language	Sometimes writers are tempted to use such language to make the writing sound more mature or sophisticated. However, often such language just makes the writing longer and less effective.
Avoid apologetic, tentative expressions	Such expressions can weaken your main idea and supporting information and make the sentences unnecessarily long.

Directions: Read the following sentence or sentences and then answer the question or questions that follow.

Samantha will step up to the podium at this point in time.

  

Which word-related issue does this sentence contain?

 It overuses the verb to be.

It repeats the same word unnecessarily.

It uses the wordy phrase at this point in time.

What is the best replacement for the sentence?

The podium will be stepped up to now by Samantha.

At this point in time, Samantha will step up to the podium.

Samantha will step up to the podium now.

I own a pocket watch. The pocket watch belonged to my great-grandfather. He wore the pocket watch when he came to this country in 1922.

Which word-related issue do these sentences contain?

It uses flowery or pretentious language.

It repeats the words pocket watch too many times.

It overuses the verb to be.

What is the best replacement for these sentences?

I own a pocket watch that belonged to my great-grandfather. He wore it when he came to this country in 1922.

A pocket watch is owned by me. The pocket watch belonged to my great-grandfather. The pocket watch was worn by him when he came to this country in 1922.

Karla is interested in Asian cooking.

What is the best way to rewrite the previous sentence so that it avoids using the verb to be?

Karla isn't bored by Asian cooking.

Karla is interested in the Asian style of cooking.

Asian cooking interests Karla.

Directions: Complete the following sentences so that they are as concise and effective as possible. Select the correct answer from the dropdown menus.

Gaining membership to the scientific society is difficult because . However, Dr. Keene's findings the selection committee. has a good chance of receiving a near-unanimous vote.