Do’s
- Use shorter words. Fancy terms like “contingent” or “yield” have simpler alternatives.
- Focus on the subject. For example, “writing is an important part of content.” Why is “part” in there? Better would be “writing is important for content.”
- Use nouns as adjectives. English lets us do this. Instead of “prices are rising on the delivery of packages,” you can write “package delivery prices are rising.” Clues words include “of,” “for the,” “on the,” and “that is/are.”
- Use the active voice. Passive voice is “to be + past participle.” For example, “was built” or “is determined.” Figure out who did it, and use them instead. “The construction company built,” “researchers determined.”
- Use shorter synonyms. For example, “are able to” → can, “that comes” → “”, “when it comes to” → “at,” “need to” → “must,” “In storage” → “stored”
- Use contractions. Words like “wasn’t,” “can’t,” and “you’ve” add a nice level of casual tone.
- Use powerful verbs. Often, we use weak verbs like “have” or “is” or “get” plus an adjective, instead of a powerful verb.
- This mushroom is fluorescent at night. → This mushroom glows at night.
- This product line has rapid growth. → This product line is growing fast.
- Let’s get more sales. → Let’s increase sales.
Don’ts
- Use adverbs. Words that end in -ly, like unbelievably, sarcastically, happily.
- Use filler words. Words include really, mostly, very, definitely, pretty, actually, absolutely, and the like. (These are often adverbs, see above.)
- Repeat the same word. For example, repeating the same word can be repetitive. It’s best not to repeat words.
- Use redundant terms. “End result,” “armed gunman,” and the like. This includes phrases like “A selection where you can choose.”
- Filler framing phrases. Where there is no difference without the term.
- “It’s clear that”
- “In general”
- “In fact”
- “As a matter of fact”
- “As it turns out”
- “Truth be told”
- Use hesitant phrases. For example, “could” instead of “will.”
- Use inclusive terms. Many are obvious, like “spokesperson” instead of “spokesman.” But sometimes you can even use other words, like “artisan” instead of “craftsman.”
