5 Ways to Make Your Writing Less Wordy (or, how to write concisely)

Falling short of a required word count? Trying to sound more formal? I’m sure we’ve all committed the crime of wordiness at some stage. But what does it actually do for our writing?

Wordy writing uses more words than necessary to make a point and can damage the quality of your text. Using too many words can hinder the reader’s understanding of the text. It can be irritating. It can be distracting. It can sound unsure.

Concise writing, on the other hand, delivers the message clearly and directly. Precision eliminates confusion, getting to the point is considerate of your reader’s time, and shorter clauses can pack more of a punch. Using fewer words can sound more confident.

Want to know how to make your writing less wordy?

1. Avoid meaningless modifiers

added bonus — a bonus is something that is more than what was expected true/actual fact — a fact is something that is true free gift — a gift isn’t paid for by the person receiving it, so it’s free safe haven — a haven is a place of protection past history — history is past events advanced planning — planning is the act of making a plan close proximity — proximity is the state of being near carefully scrutinise — to scrutinise is to examine something carefully unexpected surprise — a surprise is unexpected combine together — to combine is to bring together advanced warning — a warning is something that tells of possible danger or trouble

2. Reduce phrases

because of the fact that/ due to the fact that — because brought up — raised find out — determine, investigate give a definition — define give consideration to/ take into account — consider grow in size — grow in reference to — about, regarding in the event of/that — if make a contribution – contribute made a decision – decided make contact with — contact on a daily basis — daily put up with — tolerate united as one — united with regards to — regarding, concerning

3. Prefer active voice over passive voice

All the puppies were fed by you — You fed all the puppies Even if you don’t know who fed all the puppies: All the puppies were fed — Someone fed all the puppies

4. Remove words like very and extremely and find a better word

The dog ran very quickly across the oval — The dog sprinted across the oval Your dog is extremely cute! — Your dog is adorable!

5. Watch out for phrases like: that is, there is/are, because of the fact that, to be, in order to, it is

Many people prefer a dog that is brown — Many people prefer a brown dog There are lots of people who like brown dogs — Lots of people like brown dogs She found the dog to be friendly — She found the dog friendly In order to feed her dog, she needed to buy dog biscuits — To feed her dog, she needed to buy dog biscuits It is obvious that Louise likes dogs — Louise obviously likes dogs

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