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Wordy Phrase Checker

Find wordy phrases like “in order to” and replace them with shorter ones.

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0Wordy phrases
0Words you could save

    Concise is kind to readers

    Wordy phrases make readers do more work for the same meaning. Most have a one- or two-word equivalent:

    Wordy Concise
    in order to to
    due to the fact that because
    at this point in time now
    has the ability to can
    in the event that if
    a large number of many
    with regard to about
    prior to before

    The checker knows over 150 of these patterns, including redundant pairs (end result, past history, free gift, completely eliminate, merge together) and pompous single words (utilize, commence, endeavor, facilitate). Each highlight offers the shorter alternative; click it to apply, keeping your original capitalisation.

    The words you save

    The Words you could save figure adds up the difference between each wordy phrase and its suggestion. Trimming 5–10% of a draft this way is common and rarely loses anything.

    Plain-language guidelines such as the US Federal Plain Language Guidelines and the UK Government Digital Service style guide recommend exactly these substitutions.

    Worked example

    Here is what the Wordy Phrase Checker returns for its built-in example. Click Try an example in the tool above to load it, then change it as you like.

    Sample text
    In order to succeed, the report was written by the team in a timely manner. It is important to note that the results were very, very good.

Basically, at the end of the day, we really need to think outside the box and leverage our synergy. Their is a lot of work to do, and the the deadline is close.

The chairman said that you guys should of known better. Its a fact that the data was analysed carefully and the color of the charts was chosen for clarity.
    FoundTypeSuggestion
    “In order to”Wordy phraseTo
    “in a timely manner”Wordy phrasepromptly
    “It is important to note that”Wordy phraseremove

    Related tools: Filler Word Finder, Clarity Checker.

    Questions

    How do I make my writing more concise?

    Replace wordy phrases with short equivalents, cut filler words, prefer active verbs to noun phrases (“decide” instead of “make a decision”), and split long sentences.

    Is “utilize” always wrong?

    Not always (in technical contexts it can mean “make practical use of something not designed for it”). In most writing, “use” is clearer.

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