The use of many words when fewer would do, especially in an attempt to be vague or evasive.
(Oxford Dictionaries)
(Source)
I don't know about you, but there are times when long, drawn-out phrases seem appropriate. At other times I prefer my writing to be short, sweet and to the point. Here are a few phrases I come across on a regular basis which can be replaced with just one word:
Instead of: Try:
with the exception of except
with reference to about
until such time until
under the provisions of under
provides guidance for provides
pertaining to about
no later than by
in the near future shortly, soon
in the event if
in the amount of for
afford an opportunity allow, let
as a means to to
at this point in time now
due to the fact that because
during the period during
has a requirement for needs
in a timely manner promptly, quickly
in accordance with by, following, per
in advance of before
in regard to about, concerning
This is a great blog! Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome!
DeleteHow about: mutual exchange of personal views: conversation. Alternatively, hostile exchange of mutual views: row or argument...
ReplyDeleteA nice addition to the list.
DeleteA friend was struggling to get his dissertation to fit the 24000 limit. We used find and replace to change his uses of "in order to" to "to". That purged about 300 words immediately.
ReplyDeleteThat's great!
DeleteIn the 'old days' speech and writing dragged with phraseology and people thought that the more words a person used, the more reason to listen to or read. It is not that we have lost anything by shortening our word usage it is called the evolution of communication.
ReplyDeleteHello Piper:
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting this useful list for writers and editors. I would like to add by sharing the circumlocution list in my FREE eBook: Write Like A Pro. The chart on page 50 presents 48 one-word replacements that complement your list. (smile)
Wishing you continue success. Happy Holidays!!
Thank you, Marcia for sharing this information! Happy Holidays! =)
DeleteHappy Holidays Piper - this is a great list. But I have to say I particularly enjoyed the image: the bed as a "horizontal tranquility terminal" - I guess every language has this kind of problem - certainly so in French and Italian. Those Italian women in the 19th century who were very prude called an ass, the "fondeschiena ove sedersi" which roughly translates as the "end of the spine where you may sit". And I've worked at the United Nations for 25 years, and I can tell you that circumlocutions were so prevalent in all our reports that we'd even come to describe the English language in which we wrote as "UN-ese"...So, yes, you're right, there's nothing like "good and short"!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Claude for your very entertaining and insightful comment! Happy Holidays! =)
DeleteThanks for the list of phrases. It can also be used in the opposite direction, for example to make an essay longer.;)
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Angela! You make a good point...I haven't thought about that one. =)
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