CompFAQ/Wordiness

📝 English Composition Writing FAQ	1101 • 1102 • 📖

Avoid Wordiness

Wordiness is the use of more words than necessary to convey a message or idea, leading to unnecessarily long or convoluted sentences. It can make writing appear unclear, confusing, and lacking in concision. Here are some examples of wordiness and ways to correct them:

Wordy: Due to the fact that the car was not maintained regularly, the engine failed.
Concise: Because the car was not maintained regularly, the engine failed.

Wordy: In order to provide a better understanding of the concept, it is necessary to explain the various components in detail.
Concise: To better understand the concept, explain the various components in detail.

Wordy: There is no doubt that the use of social media has become more prevalent in recent years.
Concise: The use of social media has become more prevalent in recent years.

Wordy: At this point in time, we do not have any further information.
Concise: At this time, we do not have any further information.

Wordy: The reason why I am late is that I missed my train.
Concise: I am late because I missed my train.

Consider the following guidelines to reduce wordiness in your writing:

Use active voice: Using active voice instead of passive voice can help make your writing more concise and direct.
Cut unnecessary adjectives and adverbs: Look for adjectives and adverbs that do not add value to the sentence and remove them.
Avoid repetition: Repeating words, phrases, or ideas can make your writing sound redundant and bloated.
Use simpler words: Using simpler and more straightforward language can make your writing more concise and easy to read.
Break up long sentences: Long, complex sentences can be difficult to follow and can lead to wordiness. Breaking up long sentences into shorter, more manageable sentences can make your writing more concise.
Remove filler words and phrases: Words and phrases such as “in order to,” “due to the fact that,” and “at this point in time” can make your writing wordy and should be avoided.

Here are some more wordy phrases and easy fixes for them:

“In order to” - can be replaced with “to”
“Due to the fact that” - can be replaced with “because”
“At this point in time” - can be replaced with “now”
“In the event that” - can be replaced with “if”
“In spite of the fact that” - can be replaced with “although”
“For the purpose of” - can be replaced with “for”
“In a manner of speaking” - can be replaced with “so to speak”
“On account of the fact that” - can be replaced with “since”
“In the near future” - can be replaced with “soon”
“By means of” - can be replaced with “by”

Quiz Yourself: Wordiness

Instructions: Read the following sentences and identify the wordy phrases. Rewrite each sentence, removing the wordy phrases and making the sentence more concise. Then check your answers.

In my personal opinion, I think that we should be allowed to use our phones in class.

Answer

In my opinion, we should be allowed to use our phones in class. (In addition, “in my opinion” is rarely necessary in your writing, since it is your writing, the idea that it’s your opinion is implied.)

At the present moment in time, I am currently in the process of writing my essay.

Answer

I am currently writing my essay.

Due to the fact that I overslept this morning, I was late for my first class.

Answer

I was late for my first class because I overslept.

It is important to note that the majority of students prefer online classes to in-person classes.

Answer

Most students prefer online classes to in-person classes.

In the event that you need help, please do not hesitate to ask your professor.

Answer

If you need help, please ask your professor.

The reason why I am writing this essay is that it is a requirement for my class.

Answer

I am writing this essay because it is a requirement for my class.

At this point in time, I am unable to attend the meeting due to a prior engagement.

Answer

I cannot attend the meeting due to a prior engagement.

In spite of the fact that the exam was difficult, I managed to get a passing grade.

Answer

Although the exam was difficult, I passed.

It is my personal belief that everyone should have access to healthcare.

Answer

Everyone should have access to healthcare.

In order to prepare for the presentation, we will need to practice our speaking skills.

Answer

To prepare for the presentation, we need to practice speaking.

Written: 2002, 2022; Revised: 05-1-2023; Version: Beta 0.7		💬