Verbs aren't the only parts of sentences we mangle into obscurity.
In order to "sound smart," many writers add all sorts of bloated
phrasing, hoping to add sophistication but instead just adding more
words.
Remember: your readers are busy people. Don't make them read more words
than they need to.
The tables below provide concise alternatives for many common inflations.
|
Instead of
|
Use*
|
| |
Because, since, why
|
| The reason for |
| For the reason that |
| Due to the fact that |
| Owing to the fact that |
| In light of the fact that |
| Considering the fact that |
| On the grounds that |
| This is why |
| |
| Despite the fact that |
Although, even though |
| Regardless of the fact that |
| Notwithstanding the fact that |
| |
| In the event that |
if |
| If it should transpire/happen that |
| Under circumstances in which |
| |
| On the occasion of |
when |
| In a situation in which |
| Under the circumstances |
| |
| As regards |
about
|
| In reference to |
| With regard to |
| Concerning the matter of |
| Where. . . is concerned |
| It is crucial that |
Must, should
|
| It is necessary that |
| There is a need/necessity for |
| It is important that |
| It is incumbent upon |
| Cannot be avoided |
| Is able to |
|
| Has the opportunity to |
can |
| Is in a position to |
| Hs the capacity for |
| Has the ability to |
| It is possible that |
May, might
Can, could
|
| There is a chance that |
| It could happen that |
| The possibility that |
| Prior to |
Before, after, as
|
| In anticipation of |
| Subsequent to |
| Following on |
| At the same time as |
| Simultaneously with |
| Cognizant of |
Aware of, know |
| facilitate |
Help |
| Impact on |
Affect |
| Implement |
Start, create, carry out, begin |
| Subsequent to |
After |
| Utilize |
use |
|
Instead of
|
Use**
|
| As a consequence of |
because of |
| By means of |
by, with, using |
| By virtue of |
by, under |
| For the purpose of |
to |
| For the reason that |
because |
| In accordance with |
by, under |
| In addition to |
besides |
| Inasmuch as |
since |
| In association with |
with |
| In case of |
if |
| In excess of |
more than, over |
| In favor of |
for |
| In order to |
to |
| In the absence of |
without |
| In the course of |
during |
| In the event of |
if |
| In the nature of |
like |
| In the neighborhood of |
about |
| In the vicinity of |
near |
| In view of |
because of |
| On the grounds of |
because of |
| On the part of |
by, among |
| Prior to |
Before |
| Subsequent to |
After |
| With a view to |
To |
| With the exception of |
except |
* From Style by Joseph Williams (123-5)
** From The Complete Plain Words, by Sir Ernest Gowers (55).
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