[글쓰기팁] Put wordy phrases on a diet

Clear,_Concise,_and_Direct_Sentences.pdf

본인은 영어를 외국인으로서 배우기 때문에, 말할 때 wordy 하게 말하는 습관이 있는게 잘 느껴지지 않는다. 그리고 실제로 더 좋게(?) 들리는 경우가 많은데...

외국인 친구들은 말늘이기로 느껴지나보다ㅋㅋ

Put wordy phrases on a diet

Make sentences concise by eliminating wordy phrases.

Wordy: In a situation in which a class is overenrolled, you may request that the instructor force-add you.

Concise: When a class is overenrolled, you may ask the instructor to force-add you.

Wordy: I will now make a few observations concerning the matter of contingency funds.

Concise: I will now make a few observations about contingency funds.

Wordy: There is a need for more careful inspection of all welds.

Concise: You must inspect all welds more carefully.
Inspect all welds more carefully.

(Williams, 1985, p. 79)

Words to use

Here are some words you can use to trim the fat off of wordy phrases:

Instead of . . .	Use . . .
the reason for for the reason that due to the fact that owing to the fact that in light of the fact that considering the fact that on the grounds that this is why	because, since, why
despite the fact that regardless of the fact that notwithstanding the fact that	although, even, though
in the event that if it should transpire/happen that under circumstances in which	if
on the occasion of in a situation in which under circumstances in which	when
as regards in reference to with regard to concerning the matter of where . . . is concerned	about
it is crucial that it is necessary that there is a need/necessity for it is important that it is incumbent upon cannot be avoided	must, should
is able to has the opportunity to is in a position to has the capacity for has the ability to	can
it is possible that there is a chance that it could happen that the possibility exists for	may, might, can, could
prior to in anticipation of subsequent to following on at the same time as simultaneously with	before, after, as