A couple of weeks ago, I shared a list taken from the Elevate – Brain Training app of common phrases that are unnecessarily wordy and should be edited out of most writers’ first drafts. Continuing on that theme, today I’d like to share another list of phrases from a similar Elevate game, Brevity, this time of redundant phrases that should be simplified for conciseness. Redundancy is another common plague of first drafts, so you can never know too many tips for making your writing as clear and concise as possible!
So for your reference, here are 16 redundant phrases you should simplify while editing your writing. Enjoy!
1) Empty space: Space, by definition, is an unoccupied area, so the word “empty” is redundant. Simplify “empty space” to “space”.
2) Evil fiend/villain: The word “fiend” or “villain” already implies said person is evil. Simplify “evil fiend” to “fiend” or “evil villain” to “villain”.
3) First and foremost: An unnecessarily long phrase to indicate something that is most important. Simplify “first and foremost” to “first”.
4) Follow after: To follow already means to go or come after someone or something. Simplify “follow after” to “follow”.
5) HIV virus: HIV stands for “human immunodeficiency virus”, so the word “virus” is redundant. Simplify “HIV virus” to “HIV”.
6) In order to: A longer and less direct way of saying “to”. Simplify “in order to” to “to”.
7) Join together: To join means to connect two things to each other, making the word “together” redundant. Simplify “join together” to “join”.
8) None at all: None, by definition, means not any, so the phrase “at all” is unnecessary. Simplify “none at all” to “none”.
9) LCD display: LCD stands for “liquid crystal display”, so the word “display” is redundant. Simplify “LCD display” to “LCD”.
10) Might possibly: Both “might” and “possibly” indicate uncertainty of an event taking place. Simplify “might possibly” to “might”.
11) Past experience: Experience already indicates knowledge gained in the past. Simplify “past experience” to “experience”.
12) Please RSVP: RSVP stands for the French expression “répondez s’il vous plaît”, or “please reply” in English, making the word “please” redundant. Simplify “please RSVP” to “RSVP”.
13) PIN number: PIN stands for “personal identification number”, so the word “number” is redundant. Simplify “PIN number” to “PIN”.
14) Terrible disaster: A disaster is an event that causes great damage, making the adjective “terrible” unnecessary. Simplify “terrible disaster” to “disaster”.
15) Totally destroyed: To be destroyed is to be completely ruined, so the adverb “totally” is unneeded. Simplify “totally destroyed” to “destroyed”.
16) Unsolved mystery: A mystery is already an unexplained or unsolved event. Simplify “unsolved mystery” to “mystery”.
Are you guilty of using any of these phrases in your writing? What other redundant phrases would you add to this list?
useful info. thanks.
You’re welcome! Glad you found it useful! Thanks for reading! 🙂
Love it, JC. I have to admit that I am guilty of using more than one of these. Haha Mathair and I continue to strive for a simpler way of writing. Not really to dumb things down, but to say as much as we can with using as little words as possible. This is exactly what we needed. Thanks. 🙂
Hello, ladies! So nice to see you again! Glad you enjoyed my post! Haha, I’m guilty of using some of these too! I agree; it’s only natural as writers (and by extension, self-editors) to want to make our writing clear in as few words as possible. I did pick up a few more phrases, so if you found this list useful, look forward to another one soon! Thanks for reading! 🙂
NBC used to air a show called Unsolved Mysteries. They should’ve just called it Mysteries. 😀
I remember that show! Probably wouldn’t have been as catchy a title, haha. Thanks for reading! 🙂