I don’t often write about writing, because it’s not nearly as much fun to me as the silly memes I post each day on LinkedIn, or the Friday Funday article I’ve posted for over seven years now.
But sometimes I see a type of writing error that’s easy to fix: using long phrases rather than one or two words.
FYI: My original sentence above was: “But once in a while, I see a type of writing error that’s easy to fix: using long phrases rather than one or two words.
No one is immune from this!
Here are a few phrases I’ve seen recently with possible shorter versions:
* if anyone is in need of assistance = if anyone needs assistance (needs help)
* at this point in time = now
* due to the fact that = due to
* each and every one = each one (every one)
* in the month of October = in October
* in the event that = if
* in the city of London = in London
* in regards to = regarding
* we request that you = please
Thanks to social media, we’re inundated with articles that we think we MUST read, but how do we choose? Maybe we decide – without really thinking about it – to read articles that get to the point quickly so we can move on.
This style of writing would also help with any platform that regulates the number of characters we can use in a post.
What are your thoughts here, friends? Does this make sense to you?
What might you add to the above?
Keep It Short and Simple
As a “creative writer” at heart, I am guilty of some of this when writing for my day job!
We all are guilty of this at some point, Laura! All of us! I often let my stuff sit and go back to edit / proof / shorten stuff; I’ll bet you do too!
in order to = to
Yes, absolutely, Jeff! Thanks!
I lose patience very quickly with verbose articles.
I do as well, Ken.