SHORTER WAYS TO SAY THINGS DR. EMILY C. GRIFFITHS

Are you trying to reduce a word or character count? Is your writing verbose? Do you want to save your readers time and effort by writing more concisely? To be good communicators we should ”Omit needless words” (Strunk and White 1959), so ”If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out” (Orwell 1946). Here is a list of more concise phrases for your technical writing, broken up into the sections used in scientific papers. 1. Introducing a topic Longer Shorter along the lines of like alternate choices/options alternatives anticipate expect as regards this X, it this X attempt try bright yellow in color bright yellow capable of can connected together connected consensus of opinion consensus constitutes is encountered met exists is exhibits has from the standpoint/point of view of to, for give an account of describe goes under the name of is called has been shown to is has proven to be is has the ability to can inasmuch as as in the past before/previously in the nature/manner of like is known to be is more specifically for example persons people with regard to [omit] 1

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2. Methods Longer attempt by means of caused damage to cognizant of commence conducted an experiment conducted feeding experiments conducted inoculation experiments during the course of during the time that employ endeavor for the purpose of if conditions were such that incombustible in accordance with in order to/that in terms of in the case of in the event that in the neighborhood of made a selection methodology necessitated our study area was situated in the so as to supplement terminate the analyses were done the treatment having been performed therapeutic treatment unfavourable conditions uniformly homogeneous utilize with a view to

Shorter try by damage aware of start tested fed inoculation during while use try for if fireproof under to in if if about selected methods required our study area was (in) to add to end we analysed after treatment treatment [specify] uniform use to

SHORTER WAYS TO SAY THINGS

3. Quantities Longer Shorter an innumerable number of innumerable an order of magnitude faster ten times faster a variety of various a majority of most an order of magnitude ten times considerable amount of much considerable number of many decreased amount of less decreased number of fewer elevated raised, higher equally as as fewer in number fewer in a considerable number of/many cases often in all cases always, invariably in excess of more than in most/the majority of cases usually it is often the case that often large numbers of many large proportion of many/most multiple several on a daily basis daily plethora many quite [omit] rather [omit] there is/there are [omit] to the extent that as much as two equal halves halves two cubic metres in volume two cubic metres

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4. Prepositions Longer at the conclusion of during the course of erstwhile following from outside in close proximity to in the context/form of in the present communication in this document join together penetrate into permeate throughout prior to subsequent to upon until such time as

Shorter after during while after into close to in here here join penetrate permeate before after, then on until

5. Reasoning Longer as a consequence of as a result due to the fact that for the reason that gave rise to given the fact that in view of the fact that on the basis/grounds of

Shorter because consequently because because caused since because because

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6. Hyperbole Longer Shorter absolutely essential essential actually [omit] basically [omit] clearly [omit] completely eliminate eliminate/remove definitely proved proved extremely [omit] highly efficient [specify how much] important [specify how] in addition also literally [omit] obviously [omit] plan in advance plan significant [omit, or specify how much] there can be little doubt that this is this is probably thorough investigation investigation totally [omit very [omit]

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7. Discussion Longer Shorter an alternative interpretation is that alternatively as to whether whether as already states [omit] at the end of the day [omit] at this present moment now at this point in time now control of X was provided by Y Y controlled X despite the fact that although for this reason so fully cognizant of the fact that aware that had occasion to be was hence so in connection with concerning in light of since in the not-too-distant future soon integral part part it is apparent that apparently it is interesting/of interest to note that [omit] it may, however, be noted that but it may be true that they They may it should be noted/remembered that [omit] likewise also my personal opinion my opinion nevertheless however performed an assessment performed pertaining to about settle on decide similar in every detail the same a serious malfunction has occurred in the system the system has failed substantiate prove take into consideration consider temporary reprieve reprieve that is to say [omit] the test in question this test the tests have not as yet the tests have not thus so to be sure/honest [omit] transpired happened undergone an admixture event mixed when and if if whether or not whether with reference to [omit] with the possible exception that except within the realm of possibility possible

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8. Bibliography Bradshaw, C.J.A. 2009. http://conservationbytes.com/2009/02/09/dont-torture-your-readers/ O’Connor, M. 1991. Writing successfully in science: Appendix II Terms to Avoid. Harper Collins, London. Orwell, G. 1946. Politics and the English Language. Horizon 76: 252-264. Strunk, W. and White, E.B. 1959. The Elements of Style: A Style Guide for Writers. Macmillan, London