W2-c: Empty or inflated phrases
W2-cCut empty or inflated phrases.
An empty phrase can be cut with little or no loss of meaning. Common examples are introductory word groups that weaken the writer’s authority by apologizing or hedging: in my opinion, I think that, it seems that, one must admit that, and so on.
Readers understand without being told that they are hearing the writer’s opinion.
Inflated phrases can be reduced to a word or two without loss of meaning.
| inflated | concise |
|---|---|
| along the lines of | Like |
| as a matter of fact | in fact |
| at all times | always |
| at the present time | now, currently |
| at this point in time | now, currently |
| because of the fact that | because |
| by means of | by |
| due to the fact that | because |
| for the purpose of | for |
| have the ability to | be able to, can |
| in order to | to |
| in spite of the fact that | although, though |
| in the event that | if |
| in the final analysis | finally |