A to Z Writing: Unnecessary Add-Ons Upset Understanding

Wordiness is wicked in web writing, and it’s also practically poisonous in print.

Editors have likely used more blue pencils and red ink to scratch out superfluous phrasings in copy.

Check out these 10 examples of wordiness in writing. These sentences simply stand stronger without the excess expressions, indicated in bold.

1. The grocer raised his prices, saying he had little choice in the matter.
2. Katy looked in closet and complained she had nothing at all to wear to the dance.
3. Obviously, the spring term ends in May.
4. At this time, job hiring levels seem to be rising now.
5. The grey wolf has, by all intents and purposes, been removed from the endangered species list.
6. That chocolate cream pie was really, really tasty.
7. I’d like to know, just for the heck of it, why writers add superfluous phrases.
8. Salary reviews will continue on an ongoing basis throughout the third quarter.
9. The moving van is scheduled to arrive at 9 a.m. in the morning.
10. Mayberry’s top mayoral candidate received a total of 821 votes in the election.

Maybe it’s time to trim the proverbial fat. Removing redundancies almost always results in better writing.

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• Techniques for Writing Blog Headlines and Subheads: My Top Ten
• Writing Workshop: What is an Oxymoron?

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Colored Pencil Shavings by Jorge Royan

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