Unnecessary Words
Re-read your work with a critical eye to eliminate wordy sentence construction. If a word is not adding to the sentence, omit it. Here are some tips:
Examine specific words vs. phrases
- Don't use a phrase if a single word works ("in the vicinity of" vs. "near").
- Avoid redundant words
- advance warning = warning
- period of three weeks = three weeks
- specific example = example
- Avoid verbal padding
| absolutely |
| a bit |
| actual, actually |
| advance |
| all of |
| all things equal |
| and then |
| as a matter of fact |
| aspect |
| as to whether |
| attempt (try) |
| basically |
| began, begin, begun |
| being |
| both |
| certainly |
| completely |
| currently |
| definitely |
| etc. |
| extremely |
| for the most part |
| in order (to) |
| in the process of |
| just |
| like |
| literally |
| made/make |
| notably |
| now |
| perhaps |
| point in time |
| possibly |
| pretty |
| probably |
| quite |
| rather |
| really |
| simply |
| so |
| somewhat |
| somehow |
| start |
| rather |
| really |
| there is/there are "______" |
| things |
| totally |
| truly |
| utilize (use) |
| very |
| yet |