Most first drafts contain 20% to 30% more words than necessary. These extra words are not always obvious. They hide in familiar phrases we have used so often that we no longer notice them. But readers notice. They feel the drag of unnecessary words the way a car feels a dragging brake.
The good news is that cutting words is a skill you can learn. Once you know what to look for, you can trim your writing significantly without losing any meaning, nuance, or voice.
Common Wordy Phrases and Their Concise Alternatives
| Wordy Phrase | Concise Alternative | Words Saved |
|---|---|---|
| Due to the fact that | Because | 3 |
| In the event that | If | 3 |
| At this point in time | Now | 4 |
| In order to | To | 2 |
| In the near future | Soon | 3 |
| On a [weekly/daily/monthly] basis | [Weekly/Daily/Monthly] | 3 |
| Regardless of the fact that | Although | 4 |
| Has the ability to | Can | 3 |
| Is able to | Can | 2 |
| In the amount of | For | 3 |
| With the exception of | Except | 3 |
| Until such time as | Until | 3 |
| Is responsible for | Handles | 2 |
| In reference to | About | 2 |
| It is important to note that | (Delete entirely) | 5 |
| It should be noted that | (Delete entirely) | 4 |
Remove Redundancies
Redundancies are phrases where two words say the same thing. They are everywhere once you start looking. Here are some common examples:
| Redundant Phrase | Concise Version |
|---|---|
| Past history | History |
| Advance planning | Planning |
| End result | Result |
| Each and every | Each |
| First and foremost | First |
| Free gift | Gift |
| General public | Public |
| New innovation | Innovation |
| Null and void | Void |
| Repeat again | Repeat |
| True facts | Facts |
| Unexpected surprise | Surprise |
Cut Hedge Words and Qualifiers
Hedge words are modifiers that reduce the force of your statement. They include: “very,” “really,” “quite,” “rather,” “somewhat,” “fairly,” “pretty,” “kind of,” “sort of,” “a bit,” “slightly,” and “in some ways.”
These words drain confidence from your writing. They suggest you are not fully committed to what you are saying. Most of the time, deleting them improves the sentence.
Before: We are quite confident that the project will be somewhat successful.
After: We are confident that the project will succeed.
Words saved: 2. Confidence gained: significant.
Before and After: A Full Paragraph Rewrite
Before (95 words)
Due to the fact that we have received a large number of inquiries from customers in regard to our new product line, we have decided at this point in time to host a series of informational webinars in order to address the most common questions that are being asked by the majority of our customer base. It should be noted that these webinars will be free of charge and will take place on a weekly basis throughout the duration of the month of March.
After (55 words)
Because we have received many customer inquiries about our new product line, we will host a series of informational webinars to address common questions. These webinars are free and will take place weekly throughout March.
That is a 42% word reduction. The meaning is identical. The second version is actually clearer because the key information is not buried under wordy phrases.
Another Example: A Business Email Excerpt
Before (68 words)
I am writing to let you know that in regard to the proposal that we submitted on the 15th of January, we have not yet received any feedback from your team at this point in time. In the event that you have any questions or concerns in relation to the proposal, please do not hesitate to reach out to me.
After (35 words)
I am following up on the proposal we submitted on January 15th. We have not yet received feedback. If you have questions about the proposal, please let me know.
Nearly 50% shorter. The tone is more direct and confident. No meaning is lost.
Three Techniques for Tightening Your Writing
1. The “Find and Delete” Method
Search for these common culprits in your document and delete them: “very,” “really,” “that,” “just,” “actually,” “basically,” “in order to,” “due to the fact that,” “it is important to note that.” You will be surprised how many of these you find.
2. The “Read Aloud” Method
Read your draft aloud. When you stumble over a phrase, that is a sign it can be shorter. When you hear a word that adds no meaning, cut it. Your ear catches what your eyes skip.
3. The “25% Reduction” Challenge
Set a specific goal: reduce your word count by 25%. This forces you to look critically at every sentence and ask, “Does this word earn its place?” The discipline of hitting a word target trains your instinct for concision over time.
The Bottom Line
Tight writing is not about stripping your voice away. It is about removing the noise so your voice can be heard. Every word that does not add meaning subtracts from the reader’s experience. Cut ruthlessly, and your readers will reward you with their attention.