Wordiness Part 2

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Wordiness 2: Foggy Words

The following list shows frequently used complex words that make writing foggy, and words that make writing seem phony or insincere. Beside them you’ll see shorter words that are better choices. They make the meaning clearer and more sincere to the reader. They don’t seem phony, so the reader trusts the writer.

Foggy Clear Foggy Clear Foggy Clear
abbreviate shorten implemented began presume think
accomplish do imply mean prevalent common
accordingly so inaccurate wrong previous earlier
acquiesce agree inaugurate begin primarily mainly
adequate enough incentive drive principally mostly
admonition warning inconsiderate unkind prioritize rank
advantageous good incorporate include proceed go on
aggregate total indefinite vague procure get
alleviate ease indicate show proficiency skill
altercation dispute inferior poor profound deep
amicable friendly infinite endless project job, plan
anticipate expect inform tell purchase buy
anxiety fear initial first purport claim
apparent clear, plain initiate start pursue follow
apprehension fear inquire ask purview scope
appropriate proper insignificant slight qualified able, fit
approximately about institute start realize understand
approximation estimate instrumental helpful receive get
assimilate absorb intentional meant reduce cut
assistance help intermission break regulation rule
attributable due interrogate ask reiterate repeat
augmentation support interval gap relate tell
beverage drink inundate flood reluctant unwilling
category class investigate study remedy cure
circumspect careful irrelevant pointless remuneration pay
cognizant aware jeopardize risk reply answer
commendation praise laboratory lab reproduction copy
compatibility fit, match lengthy long require need
compensation pay linkage link reside live
complimentary kind locality town, city response answer
concerning about, on locate find restrict limit
conclusion end magnitude size retain keep
configuration form major big, large reveal show
conjecture guess majority most scrutinize check
connection link, tie manage run secure get
consequently so mandatory must seek look for
consider think manufacture make segment part
considerable large materialize work out select pick
contribute give, add maximum most separate split
conversation talk methodology method significance point

And more foggy words . . .

Foggy Clear Foggy Clear Foggy Clear
criterion standard modification change signify mean
decrease cut, drop myself I, me submit offer
deficiency lack necessitate require subsequently then
deficient poor necessity need substantially largely
designation label, name negligible little substantiate prove
elevate lift, raise nominal small substantive large
eliminate cut, drop numerous many substitute replace
endeavor try objective aim, goal sufficient enough
enhance add to obligate bind superfluous extra
erroneous wrong observe see supposition belief
essence gist obtain get susceptible open to
establish set, fix occupation job sustain take
examination exam, test occur happen symptom sign
examine check omit cut tentative trial
exceedingly highly operate run terminate end, stop
excessive too much opportune handy termination end
execute do, make optimal best thereupon then
exhaustive full optimism hope thwart stop
exhibit show originate start transaction deal
experiment test paramount chief transfer send
experimental trial participate take part transformation change
extinguish put out pecuniary money transitional changing
fabricate make pending initial transmit send
facilitate help perceive see transparent clear
fatuous silly permit let transpire happen
favorable good personnel staff transport move, send
finalize finish portion part uncertainty doubt
forwarding sending positively quite uncompromising firm
frequently often possibility chance underprivileged needy
fundamental basic postpone put off unequivocal clear
gymnasium gym practically nearly unmistakable plain
heinous ugly, cruel predicament trouble utilization use
identical same predominantly chiefly utilize use
identify recognize prejudice bias variation change
imminent near preponderant main virtually almost
impart tell, teach preponderantly nearly visitation visit
implement begin, use presently now visualize see
implementation use preserve keep voluminous large

6. Fuzzy phrases

Some people, when they write, use strings of words that make what follows them vague or meaningless. These trite expressions fog up communication. Some examples follow, with a preferred simple word or two beside each or a note to delete the phrase.

Trite, meaningless phrase Preferred word, use
  • According to
  • by, under (or delete)
  • All of
  • all
  • Along the lines of
  • like, as
  • As a matter of fact
  • (delete)
  • As such
  • (delete)
  • Attached is (or, please find)
  • here’s
  • Bona fide
  • genuine, real (avoid foreign phrases)
  • Communicate in person
  • talk to
  • Communicate in writing
  • write
  • Converse by telephone
  • call, phone
  • Don’t hesitate to call us
  • call us if
  • Enclosed please find
  • here’s
  • Evidence points to
  • (delete)
  • Exercise care
  • watch out
  • For the purpose of
  • for
  • For the reason that
  • because
  • For your information
  • (unnecessary, delete)
  • From the point of view of
  • (delete, start with direct subject)
  • If and when
  • if
  • In order to
  • to
  • In reference to
  • on, about (or delete)
  • In the neighborhood of
  • about, nearly
  • Inclement weather
  • rain, snow
  • Interesting situation
  • (delete)
  • It goes without saying
  • (then don’t say it, delete)
  • It is believed that
  • (by whom specific, or delete)
  • It is often the case that
  • often (or delete)
  • It is possible that
  • maybe (or delete)
  • It is said that
  • (delete)
  • Make the acquaintance of
  • meet
  • Many feel
  • (be specific, or delete)
  • More specifically
  • for instance, for example
  • Needless to say
  • (then don’t, delete)
  • Of course
  • (delete)
  • Of whether
  • whether
  • Preparatory to
  • before
  • Prevail upon
  • urge
  • Providing that
  • if
  • Pursuant to
  • by, under
  • Relative to
  • on, about, of, for
  • Subsequent to
  • after
  • Substantial majority
  • most or majority
  • Take place
  • happen
  • According to
  • by, under (or delete)
  • All of
  • all
  • Along the lines of
  • like, as
  • As a matter of fact
  • (delete)
  • As such
  • (delete)
  • Attached is (or, please find)
  • here’s
  • Bona fide
  • genuine, real (avoid foreign phrases)
  • Communicate in person
  • talk to
  • Communicate in writing
  • write
  • Converse by telephone
  • call, phone
  • Don’t hesitate to call us
  • call us if
  • Enclosed please find
  • here’s
  • Evidence points to
  • (delete)
  • Exercise care
  • watch out
  • For the purpose of
  • for
  • For the reason that
  • because
  • For your information
  • (unnecessary, delete)
  • From the point of view of
  • (delete, start with direct subject)
  • If and when
  • if
  • In order to
  • to
  • In reference to
  • on, about (or delete)
  • In the neighborhood of
  • about, nearly
  • Inclement weather
  • rain, snow
  • Interesting situation
  • (delete)
  • It goes without saying
  • (then don’t say it, delete)
  • It is believed that
  • (by whom specific, or delete)
  • It is often the case that
  • often (or delete)
  • It is possible that
  • maybe (or delete)
  • It is said that
  • (delete)
  • Make the acquaintance of
  • meet
  • Many feel
  • (be specific, or delete)
  • More specifically
  • for instance, for example
  • Needless to say
  • (then don’t, delete)
  • Of course
  • (delete)
  • Of whether
  • whether
  • Preparatory to
  • before
  • Prevail upon
  • urge
  • Providing that
  • if
  • Pursuant to
  • by, under
  • Relative to
  • on, about, of, for
  • Subsequent to
  • after
  • Substantial majority
  • most or majority
  • Take place
  • happen

 

 

 

More fuzzy phrases . . .

Trite, meaningless phrase Preferred word, use
  • Thanking you in advance
  • There are a number of
  • many, or specific number (i.e., 10, dozen)
  • There are, there is
  • There is reason to believe that
  • They say
  • To be sure
  • Under separate cover
  • Under the circumstances
  • Wish to state
  • Without regard to
  • regardless of
  • (delete)
  • many, or specific number (i.e., 10, dozen)
  • (delete – use subject and active verb)
  • (delete)
  • (specific, who says, or delete)
  • (delete)
  • (delete)
  • as it was (or delete)
  • (delete – say it)
  • regardless of

 

 

 

Last updated 9/18/06