1. 10 Tips For Killing Wordy Writing
By Olivia Roat, Published May 11, 2013

2. #1
 Let’s start with two redundant phrases: “the reason why” and
“the reason is because.” You can easily tighten sentences with
these phrases. Here’s how:
 I’m trying to determine the reason why everyone is obsessed
with cats.
 I’m trying to determine why everyone is obsessed with cats.
 You don’t need “the reason why.” A simple “why” suffices.
 And “the reason is because” is redundant too. You can replace it
with “the reason is that,” like so:
 The reason is because people like furry creatures.
 The reason is that people like furry creatures.
 (“People like furry creatures” would also get the point across. I’d
opt for this sentence.)

3. #2
 The phrase “due to the fact” is not only wordy but also
unnecessary. The word “because” says the exact same thing.
 I had to move out due to the fact that my roommate bought a
cat.
 I had to move out because my roommate bought a cat.
 Due to the fact that her cat is criminally adorable, I changed
my mind.
 Because her cat is criminally adorable, I changed my mind.

4. #3
 You pretty much never need the word “currently.” Take this
sentence:
 My sister is currently in search of a new cat.
 This sentence has the verb “is.” This verb is present tense,
so it’s already implied that at this very moment, my sister is in
search of a new cat. There’s no need for “currently.” Another
example:
 My cat currently has a bad cough.
 Again, the verb in this sentence is in the present tense. It’s
already implied that at the present time, my cat has a bad
cough.

5. #4
 There’s also no need for “revert back.” “Revert” means “to
return to a former condition, period, or subject.” Ditch the
“back” and replace it with “to.”
 I reverted to my original stance on felines.
 My cat is kind when I have people over, but as soon as they
leave, she reverts to her evil ways.

6. #5
 Like “revert back,” “reply back” is redundant. Get rid of the
“back.”
 People say cats can’t talk, but I swear my cat Theodore
replied to me.

7. #6 “Shared something in common” is redundant. You can replace it
with “shared” or with “had something in common.”

8. #7
 “Most well-known” can be replaced with “best known.”

9. #8
 There’s no need for “unexpected surprise.” A surprise is by
definition unexpected.

10. #9
 “Makes reference to” can be replaced with “refers to.”

11. #10
 “Pay money” can be swapped for “pay.”
 Wordy phrases are everywhere, and I’ve only touched on this
subject. I’d love to hear which ones you want to put on the
chopping block or kill with a red pen.

12. Thank you for your attention
Olivia Roat is an inbound marketer in Buffalo, N.Y. Olivia is part of the
marketing department at Mainstreethost, a digital marketing and business
development company specializing in SEO, paid search, social media and
content marketing, and web development....