16 More Wordy Phrases You Should Simplify in Your Writing

by Naomi L. | July 26, 2017 | Blog, Creative Writing | 2 comments

Remember that list I shared a while back of wordy phrases you should edit out of your writing? Well, there’s a lot more where those came from! The Clarity game in the Elevate – Brain Training app is full of long and passive phrases that can easily be reduced to single, clearer words. It never hurts to learn how to simplify as many as you can!

So for your reference, here are 16 more wordy phrases you should simplify when editing your writing. Enjoy!

1) Able to: indicates that someone has the ability to do something. Simplify “able to” to “can”.

2) An adequate number of: a long phrase referring to an appropriate amount of something. Simplify “an adequate number of” to “enough”.

3) An appreciable number of: indicates a large amount of something. Simplify “an appreciable number of” to “several”.

4) An estimated: indicates an approximate number of something. Simplify “an estimated” to “about”.

5) By reason: refers to why something happened. Simplify “by reason” to “because”.

6) Conduct an investigation: passive form of the verb “investigate”. Simplify “conduct an investigation” to “investigate”.

7) Extend an invitation to: passive form of the verb “invite”. Simplify “extend an invitation to” to “invite”.

8) Have an adverse effect on: passive phrase meaning to produce an undesirable outcome. Simplify “have an adverse effect on” to “set back”.

9) In addition to: passive phrase indicating something extra. Simplify “in addition to” to “besides”.

10) In anticipation of: passive phrase referring to something done prior to an event. Simplify “in anticipation of” to “before”.

11) In connection with: a longer way to say concerning. Simplify “in connection with” to “about”.

12) It is crucial that you: a long phrase indicating something that is imperative. Simplify “it is crucial that you” to “you must”.

13) Made a statement that: lengthy phrase indicating that someone conveyed information. Simplify “made a statement that” to “said”.

14) Make reference to: passive phrase that indicates something being referenced. Simplify “make reference to” to “reference”.

15) Point of view: indicates how someone interprets a situation. Simplify “point of view” to “perspective”.

16) Realize a savings of: lengthy phrase that indicates an amount saved. Simplify “realize a savings of” to “save”.

Are you guilty of using any of these phrases? What other wordy phrases would you add to this list?