WordsCHOOSE A BETTER WORD OR PHRASEOR DROP THE WORD OR PHRASE

WRITING FOR COMMUNICATION PROFESSIONS

JEFF GILBERT

CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY

Words Completely obscure

◦ cover

My sympathies are entirely with him.◦ My sympathies are with him.

Totally destroyed◦ destroyed

This carelessness can take any number of different forms.◦ This carelessness can take any number of forms.◦ This carelessness can take different forms.

Words The connection is perfectly clear.

◦ The connection is clear.

Faced with such a variety of obstacles, …◦ Faced with obstacles, …

Thinking clearly is an entirely conscious act.◦ Thinking clearly is a conscious act.

Good writing doesn’t just come naturally.◦ Good writing doesn’t come naturally.

at this point in time◦ now

Words He is a personal friend of mine.

◦ He is a friend of mine.

Currently◦ now

At the present time◦ now

Presently◦ soon

Are you experiencing any pain?◦ Does it hurt?

Words The Air Force missile impacted with the ground prematurely.

◦ The Air Force missile crashed.

Assistance◦ help

Numerous◦ many

Individual◦ man or woman or person

Words Remainder

◦ rest

Initial◦ first

Implement◦ do

Sufficient◦ enough

To purchase◦ buy

Words To attempt

◦ try

Referred to as◦ called

I dialogued with my boss◦ talked

With the possible exception of◦ except

Due to the fact that◦ because

Words He totally lacked the ability to

◦ he couldn’t

Until such time as◦ until

For the purpose of◦ for

Smile happily◦ smile

Tall skyscraper◦ skyscraper

Words Small village

◦ village

She was looking for a bit of happiness.◦ She was looking for happiness.

His new job was pretty much the type he couldn’t turn down.◦ His new job was the type he couldn’t turn down.

They are getting married this weekend.◦ They are getting married Saturday.

He missed the deadline by a couple days.◦ He missed the deadline by two days.

Words Muscular bodybuilder

◦ bodybuilder

He got an A for the first time ever.◦ He got an A for the first time.◦ He got his first A