The 5 common culprits of wordiness

My writing teacher in college once had us write a 500-word assignment. I don’t remember the topic, but I remember how difficult it was to limit it to just 500 words.

After my classmates and I had each finished the assignment, she gave us our next one: cut the writing in half.

That’s right, I had to take a document I thought was already too short and find a way to make it shorter. It was a frustrating experience, but one I am now grateful for. The lessons I learned in that assignment follow me today.

Editing hundreds of documents during the 20 years since that experience has helped me recognize 5 common culprits that creep into our writing. And share them with you below:

1. Using redundant wording

Once you’re on a roll, it can be easy for extra words to sneak into your writing. Sometimes another word in the sentence already says the same thing. Other times, the structure of the sentence already implies the redundant word; this is especially true when writing in the present tense.

Examples:

1. Currently, we live downtown. vs. We live downtown.
2. Absolutely necessary vs. Necessary
3. Every single one of them vs. Each of them
4. Period of time vs. Period

2. Using extra prepositions

Especially “of”. We love to make things sound smarter by including too many prepositions. Cut back the unnecessary ones.

1. The location of the business is next to the street with a lot of traffic vs. The business is next to the busy street.
2. The shirt of the boy was worn with pride. vs. The boy pridefully wore his shirt.
3. A number of oranges vs. Several oranges
4. He handed the cheque to me. vs. He handed me the cheque.

3. Using phrases instead of single words

Sometimes what we think we need several words for can actually be described in a single word.

Examples:

1. Find out vs. Discover
2. Come up with vs. Provide
3. Put up with vs. Endure
4. Look in on vs. Visit
   

4. Using passive voice instead of active voice

I see the use of passive voice so frequently, especially in academia. It’s a cop out and discourages the writer from taking responsibility for what’s happening in the writing. It has its place occasionally, but most of the time, the active voice does just fine.

Examples:

1. The research will be finalized and presented. vs. I will finalize and present the research.
2. The apple was eaten by the girl. vs. The girl ate the apple.
3. Winter was hated by everyone known by me. vs. Everyone I know hated winter.
4. The lawn used to be mowed by my neighbour. vs. My neighbour used to mow my lawn.

5. Using “very” or “really”

We often use these words for emphasis, but sometimes single words exist that mean the same thing.

Examples:

1. Very hungry vs. Famished
2. Really tall vs. Towering
3. Very tired vs. Exhausted
4. Really happy vs. Elated

Use these 5 techniques to find and eliminate wordiness in your own writing. Soon, you’ll be writing text that’s faster and easier to read.

Which of the above 5 culprits of wordiness do you have trouble overcoming? Let me know in the comments.