Fat phrases

Sometimes we overfeed our sentences and they become bloated.

But good writing is lean.

No more or no fewer words than those needed to carry the meaning and the soul. Single words can replace fat phrases of four or five. Here are some examples of where you can put your copy on a diet.

• With the possible exception of = Except
• Totally lacked the ability to = Couldn't
• With the minimum of delay = Quickly
• As a consequence of = Because
• Due to the fact that = Because
• Afford an opportunity to = Let
• Costs the sum of = Costs
• Is of the opinion = Thinks
• Until such time as = Until
• For the purpose of = For
• In order to = To
  
  

These clusters can sneak into first drafts. Under examination though, they’re empty calories, void of nutrition. They lie about like unwanted ornaments filling space, gathering dust, and cluttering the place.

There's no easy formula for picking them out apart from consciously questioning every word, asking yourself, is this the most familiar, and therefore usually the shortest, way to say it?

If you put every word on trial, you’ll find them lurking and guilty.

Send ‘em down.