While editing client documents, I often encounter superfluous phrasing. I quickly edit it to its main message, using as few words as possible to make the message as strong as possible.
When I think of it, I tweet examples to my Twitter accounts under the hashtag #shrinktip, a nod to an article I wrote with techniques for reducing wordcount.
Here is a collection of 10 shrinktips I’ve shared recently.On the left are the original phrases, as written by the client; on the right are my corrections. Keep in mind that not everything on the left is incorrect per se, but, in my opinion, the rewritten form is better for conveying the intended message.
they were capable of = they could #shrinktips #writingtips #amwriting #amediting
— Hot Pepper Communications (@hotpepper) May 8, 2018
think about = ponder#shrinktips #writingtips #amwriting #amediting
— Hot Pepper Communications (@hotpepper) May 8, 2018
come back = return#shrinktips #writingtips #amwriting #amediting
— Hot Pepper Communications (@hotpepper) May 8, 2018
Write a short summary of the project = Briefly summarize the project#shrinktips #writingtips #amwriting #amediting
— Hot Pepper Communications (@hotpepper) May 8, 2018
this is not a possibility = this is not possible#shrinktips #writingtips #amwriting #amediting
— Hot Pepper Communications (@hotpepper) May 7, 2018
a variety of = various#shrinktips #writingtips #amwriting #amediting
— Hot Pepper Communications (@hotpepper) May 7, 2018
The focus of the project was determined as = The project will focus on#shrinktips #writingtips #amwriting #amediting
— Hot Pepper Communications (@hotpepper) May 7, 2018
worked at negotiations = negotiated#shrinktips #writingtips #amwriting #amediting
— Hot Pepper Communications (@hotpepper) May 7, 2018
in high concentration = highly concentrated#shrinktips #writingtips #amwriting #amediting
— Hot Pepper Communications (@hotpepper) May 7, 2018
You are permitted to = You may#shrinktips #writingtips #amwriting
— Hot Pepper Communications (@hotpepper) May 1, 2018
Do you have other exams Les of wordiness you see all the time? Let me know in the comments.