The world has only so much space. When you write, your job is to use that space carefully. I can offer some quick tips: find the right word and use it; when in doubt, cut it out; edit your work like it was written by someone you don’t like. But in the end, the general principle is simple: if you’ve heard a phrase more than a couple of times, and it isn’t key wording, essential in carrying meaning, or a definitive phrase, try to get rid of it.
While you work on that one, you can get a good start by avoiding “there is/are/was/were,” “it is/was,” “that is/are/were,” and “which is/are.” You can also try to dump what I call “wazzle” (waffling and fuzzy) words, like “actually,” “aspects,” “basically,” “definitely,” “quite,” “really,” “situation,” “truly,” “ultimately,” and “very. ” Actually, these are basically fruity habits, and they can truly go in most situations. “Could,” “should,” and “would” are also famous wazzlers (in case you missed it, these strike-outs illustrate words that can be deleted from the sentence without reducing the meaning: “these fruity habits can go”).
Let me try an analogy. Think of your writing in the same way you think about all the stuff you own. Now think of having a yard sale. What you put into your yard sale is the useless junk that has been hanging around for a long time. At first you feel a little remorse in seeing it all go, but then, with your new, uncluttered world, you feel light, clean, and fresh, just like they say in the soap commercials. Apply this to your writing. Keep the good stuff, and get rid of the useless clutter that’s been cluttering your writing.
aforementioned = DELETE
a considerable amount of = DELETE OR BE SPECIFIC
a lot of = many, much
a majority of = most, much of, many
added bonus = bonus
advance warning = warning
advance planning = planning
after all is said and done = DELETE
all across = across
all of a sudden = suddenly
all of these = these
almost never = seldom
along the lines of = like
are such that = DELETE
are/was/were able to = can OR DELETE
as a matter of fact = in fact OR DELETE
as a means to = to
as a whole = DELETE
as a way to = to
as being a = as OR DELETE
as it truly is = DELETE
as of the moment = DELETE
as the case may be = DELETE
at the conclusion of = after
at all times = always OR DELETE
at first glance = DELETE
at the present time = currently, now
at the same time that = while
at this point in time = now OR DELETE
based in large part on = based on
basic necessity = necessity
basic fundamentals = basics OR fundamentals
because of the fact of = because of
being = DELETE
being that = because
both of these/them/the = both
brings to mind = recalls/suggests
but yet = but OR yet
by and large = DELETE
by definition = DELETE
by leaps and bounds = DELETE
by means of = by
by the use of = using
by virtue of [the fact that] = by
came to a realization = realized/recognized
came to an abrupt end = end[ed] abruptly
can be seen as = is OR DELETE
clearly articulate = articulate
close scrutiny = scrutiny
common similarities = similarities
compare and contrast = compare
complete stranger = stranger
completely eliminate = eliminate
concerning the matter of = about/regarding
connect[ed] together = connect[ed]
continue into the future = continue
core essence = DELETE
correctional facility = jail
despite the fact that = although
did not succeed = failed
due to the effects = because
due to the fact that = because
during the course of = during
each and every one = each, every
each individual = DELETE OR everyone
each of = each
early on in the = early in the
economically deprived = poor
enter into = enter OR DELETE
erode away = erode
every single one = each one, all, each
fair amount = DELETE [or be specific]
final demise/destination/outcome = DELETE final
first priority = priority
first and foremost = first
for all intents and purposes = DELETE
for that which is = for the
for the manner in which = the way
for the purpose of = to, for
foreseeable future = [when exactly?]
free gift = gift
future plans/prospects = plans OR prospects
gain entry into = enter
general consensus = consensus
general public = public
give an indication of = indicate
grave crisis = crisis
hand-in-hand = together
has/had/have a tendency to = often OR DELETE
has/had/have been found to be = is/was/are
has/had/have the ability to/capacity for = can/could
has/had/have the effect of = DELETE
has/had/have the opportunity to = can/could
hear the sound of = hear the
I myself = I
[in a] clear and concise way = [concisely] concise
in a situation in which = in
in a very real sense = DELETE
in actuality = DELETE
in all likelihood/probability = likely/probably
in close proximity = near
in connection with = about
in essence = DELETE
in excess of = more than
in light of the fact that = because
in keeping with = AVOID
in itself = DELETE
in nature = DELETE
in order to = to
in reality = DELETE
in reference to = about/regarding
in the neighborhood of = about
in the vicinity of = near
in spite of = despite
in spite of the fact that = although
in such a way = in a way
in terms of = DELETE
in the area of = in
in the course of = during, while
in the event that = if
in the final analysis = finally OR DELETE
in the light of = considering OR DELETE
in the majority of instances = usually
in the midst of = during, amid
in the nature of = DELETE
in the near future = soon OR DELETE
in the not too distant future = soon OR DELETE
in their own right = DELETE
in this day and age = currently, now, today
in today’s society = today
in view of the fact that = because
in which = DELETE
inner feelings = feelings
interestingly enough = DELETE
intertwine[d] together = intertwine[d]
irregardless = DELETE
is able to = can OR DELETE
is an important factor in = DELETE OR in
is aware of the fact that = knows
is described as being = is OR is described as
is found to be = is
is going to = will
is helpful in understanding = clarifies
is in conflict with = conflicts with/is against
is in contrast to = contrasts with
is of significant importance = is significant OR is important
is scared of = fears
is seen as = is
is something that is = is
is well aware that = understands
is when = is OR DELETE
is where = DELETE
is/was more or less = is/was
it appears/seems as though = it appears OR DELETE
it can be seen that = DELETE
it could happen that = could/may/might
it goes to show that = DELETE
it is clear/evident/apparent that = DELETE
it is crucial/important that = must/should OR DELETE
it is interesting/important to note that = DELETE
it is necessary that = must/should
it is possible that = DELETE
itself = DELETE
join/gather together = join/gather
kind of = DELETE
last but not least = finally
later on = later
mainly focuses on = focuses on
make a decision = decide
make an assumption = assume
make contact with = contact
make reference to = refer to
manner in which = way
mental attitude = attitude
mix together = mix
more or less = DELETE [OR be specific]
more preferable = preferable
mutual agreement = agreement
natural instinct = instinct
necessary prerequisite = prerequisite
new record = record [as in SET A NEW RECORD]
not the least of them being = AVOID
of great importance = DELETE OR is important
off of = off OR from
on a daily basis = daily
on account of the fact that = because
on the basis of = because, based on
on the grounds that = because
on the occasion of = on
on the situation of = about
on the subject of = about OR DELETE
on the surface level = on the surface
on the whole = DELETE
on top of all this = moreover OR DELETE
one of the more = DELETE
one of the most interesting = DELETE
only serves to = DELETE
over and over again = repeatedly
overall goal = goal
overall structure = structure
owing to the fact that = because
particular type of = DELETE
past experience = experience
past history = history
past memories = memories
period of time = period, time
plan ahead = plan
play[s] an important role = DELETE [be specific]
previous/prior to = before
providing that = provided
put to use = use
quite clearly = DELETE
readily apparent = apparent
real truth/life = truth/life
reconsider again = reconsider
regardless of the fact that = although
repeat[ed] over and over again = repeat[ed]
respective/respectively = DELETE
right up to the = up to the OR to the
says exactly the same thing = repeats
scrutinize carefully = scrutinize
seems to infer = infers
serve the purpose of = DELETE
serves to explain/show = explain/show
shout loudly = shout
some kind of = DELETE
somewhere in the neighborhood of = about
sort of = DELETE
state of affairs = DELETE [vague]
still has yet = has yet
study in depth = study
subsequent to = after
symbolically represents = represents OR symbolizes
take action = act
take into account = consider
take the time = DELETE
terrible/horrible tragedy = tragedy
that/this being said = DELETE
that exists = DELETE
that exists between/with/among = between/with/among
that is/are = DELETE when possible
that is to say = DELETE
the colour green = green
the complete opposite of = the opposite of
the end OR final result = the result
the human race = humans OR humanity OR people
the fact that = that OR DELETE
the fact remains = DELETE
the final conclusion = the conclusion
the majority of = most/many
the month of September = September
The nature of the [NOUN] = The [NOUN]
the overall plan = the plan
the possibility exists for = may/might/could
the reason is because = the reason/because
the reason why = the reason, why, because
the type OR use of = DELETE
the way [manner] in which = the way OR DELETE
the whole [any noun] = DELETE “whole”
the world we live in = the world/life OR DELETE
there is a chance that = may/might/could
there is a need = DELETE
This is a [NOUN] that would = This [NOUN] would
time period = period
to a further extent = further
throughout the course of = throughout the
through the use of = through
total abstinence = abstinence
total annihilation = annihilation
totally obvious = obvious
true facts = facts
compare and contrast = compare
complete stranger = stranger
completely eliminate = eliminate
concerning the matter of = about/regarding
connect[ed] together = connect[ed]
core essence = DELETE
correctional facility = jail
despite the fact that = although
did not succeed = failed
due to the effects = because
due to the fact that = because
during the course of = during
each and every one = each, every
each individual = DELETE OR everyone
each of = each
early on in the = early in the
economically deprived = poor
enter into = enter OR DELETE
erode away = erode
every single one = each one, all, each
fair amount = DELETE [or be specific]
final demise/destination/outcome = DELETE final
first priority = priority
first and foremost = first
focus specifically on = focus on
for all intents and purposes = DELETE
for that which is = for the
for the manner in which = the way
for the purpose of = to, for
foreseeable future = [when exactly?]
foreshadow things to come = forshadow
free gift = gift
future plans/prospects = plans OR prospects
gain entry into = enter
general consensus = consensus
general public = public
gentley caressed = caressed
give an indication of = indicate
grave crisis = crisis
hand-in-hand = together
has/had/have a tendency to = often OR DELETE
has/had/have been found to be = is/was/are
has/had/have the ability to/capacity for = can/could
has/had/have the effect of = DELETE
has/had/have the opportunity to = can/could
hear the sound of = hear the
I myself = I
[in a] clear and concise way = [concisely] concise
in a situation in which = in
in a very real sense = DELETE
in actuality = DELETE
in all likelihood/probability = likely/probably
in close proximity = near
in connection with = about
in essence = DELETE
in excess of = more than
in light of the fact that = because
in keeping with = AVOID
in itself = DELETE
in nature = DELETE
in order to = to
in reality = DELETE
in reference to = about/regarding
in the neighborhood of = about
in the vicinity of = near
in spite of = despite
in spite of the fact that = although
in such a way = in a way
in terms of = DELETE
in the area of = in
in the course of = during, while
in the event that = if
in the final analysis = finally OR DELETE
in the light of = considering OR DELETE
in the majority of instances = usually
in the midst of = during, amid
in the nature of = DELETE
in the near future = soon OR DELETE
in the not too distant future = soon OR DELETE
in their own right = DELETE
in this day and age = currently, now, today
in today’s society = today
in view of the fact that = because
in which = DELETE
inner feelings = feelings
interestingly enough = DELETE
intertwine[d] together = intertwine[d]
irregardless = DELETE
is able to = can OR DELETE
is an important factor in = DELETE OR in
is aware of the fact that = knows
is described as being = is OR is described as
is found to be = is
is going to = will
is helpful in understanding = clarifies
is interesting to note = is interesting OR is noteworthy
is in conflict with = conflicts with/is against
is in contrast to = contrasts with
is of significant importance = is significant OR is important
is scared of = fears
is seen as = is
is something much more = is more
is something that is = is
is well aware that = understands
is when = is OR DELETE
is where = DELETE
is/was more or less = is/was
it appears/seems as though = it appears OR DELETE
it can be seen that = DELETE
it could happen that = could/may/might
it goes to show that = DELETE
it is clear/evident/apparent that = DELETE
it is crucial/important that = must/should OR DELETE
it is interesting/important to note that = DELETE
it is necessary that = must/should
it is possible that = DELETE
itself = DELETE
join/gather together = join/gather
kind of = DELETE
last but not least = finally
later on = later
major breakthrough = breakthrough
mainly focuses on = focuses on
make a decision = decide
make an assumption = assume
make contact with = contact
make reference to = refer to
manner in which = way
mental attitude = attitude
mix together = mix
more or less = DELETE [OR be specific]
more preferable = preferable
mutual agreement = agreement
natural instinct = instinct
necessary prerequisite = prerequisite
new record = record [as in SET A NEW RECORD]
not the least of them being = AVOID
of great importance = DELETE OR is important
off of = off OR from
on a daily basis = daily
on account of the fact that = because
on the basis of = because, based on
on the grounds that = because
on the occasion of = on
on the situation of = about
on the whole = DELETE
on top of all this = moreover OR DELETE
one of the more = DELETE
one of the most interesting = DELETE
one time = once
only serves to = DELETE
over and over again = repeatedly
overall goal = goal
overall structure = structure
owing to the fact that = because
particular type of = DELETE
past experience = experience
past history = history
past memories = memories
period of time = period, time
plan ahead = plan
play[s] an important role = DELETE [be specific]
previous/prior to = before
providing that = provided
put to use = use
quite clearly = DELETE
readily apparent = apparent
real truth/life = truth/life
reconsider again = reconsider
regardless of the fact that = although
respective/respectively = DELETE
right up to the = up to the OR to the
says exactly the same thing = repeats
scrutinize carefully = scrutinize
seems to infer = infers
serious danger = danger
serve the purpose of = DELETE
serves to explain/show = explain/show
share in common = share
shout loudly = shout
some kind of = DELETE
somewhere in the neighborhood of = about
sort of = DELETE
state of affairs = DELETE [vague]
still has yet = has yet
study in depth = study
subsequent to = after
symbolically represents = represents OR symbolizes
take action = act
take into account = consider
take the time = DELETE
terrible/horrible tragedy = tragedy
that/this being said = DELETE
that exists = DELETE
that exists between/with/among = between/with/among
that is/are = DELETE when possible
that is to say = DELETE
the colour green = green
the complete opposite of = the opposite of
the end OR final result = the result
the fact that = that OR DELETE
the fact remains = DELETE
the final conclusion = the conclusion
the majority of = most/many
the month of September = September
The nature of the [NOUN] = The [NOUN]
the overall plan = the plan
the possibility exists for = may/might/could
the reason is because = the reason/because
the reason why = the reason, why, because
the type OR use of = DELETE
the way [manner] in which = the way OR DELETE
the whole [any noun] = DELETE “whole”
the world we live in = the world/life OR DELETE
there is a chance that = may/might/could
there is a need = DELETE
This is a [NOUN] that would = This [NOUN] would
time period = period
to a further extent = further
to a certain extent = DELETE [be specific]
throughout the course of = throughout the
throughout the entirety = throughout
through the use of = through
total abstinence = abstinence
total annihilation = annihilation
totally obvious = obvious
true facts = facts
true meaning = meaning
two times = twice
type of = DELETE
united as one = united
until such time as = until
ultimate fate = fate
ultimate objective OR goal = objective OR goal
utmost perfection = perfection
valuable asset = asset
various different = various
very unique = unique
violent explosion = explosion
we are of the opinion that = we believe
we as a society = we OR society
well aware of = aware
what is important is = DELETE
when all is said and done = DELETE
whether or not = whether/if OR DELETE
which have been found to be = are OR DELETE
which is = DELETE [when possible]
will come in the future = will come
will have an effect on = will effect
who are/was/were = DELETE
why it functions the way it does = how it functions
with regard to = about/regarding
with the exception of = except for
witnessed first hand = witnessed
Kim Blank’s “Wordiness, Wordiness, Wordiness List”
G. K. Blank, English Dept., University of Victoria
©1998, rev. 2001-2009
European History 