{"id":14598,"date":"2015-12-07T14:12:25","date_gmt":"2015-12-07T13:12:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scribbr.com\/?p=14598"},"modified":"2023-07-23T15:12:07","modified_gmt":"2023-07-23T13:12:07","slug":"write-concisely","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scribbr.com\/academic-writing\/write-concisely\/","title":{"rendered":"How to write more concisely"},"content":{"rendered":"

Concise writing presents ideas clearly and does not use more words than are truly necessary. Conciseness is an important characteristic of academic writing<\/a>, especially given how complex the subject matter frequently is.<\/p>\n

Two of the biggest enemies of concise writing are inflated phrases<\/strong> and redundancies<\/strong>. It\u2019s easy to think that using more complicated-sounding phrases will give your text a more academic feel, but mostly it just makes it harder to follow.<\/p>\n

Using the below strategies will make your writing not only tighter, but also more effective.<\/p>\n

Avoid inflated phrases<\/h2>\n

One of the simplest ways to make your writing more concise is to avoid \u201cinflated\u201d phrases that use several words where just one or two would be sufficient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Examples of inflated sentences in theses that you can write more concise<\/caption>\n
Inflated phrase<\/strong><\/th>\nExample<\/strong><\/th>\nMore concise alternative<\/strong><\/th>\nExample<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
A majority of<\/td>\nA majority of<\/em> respondents were single parents.<\/td>\nMost<\/td>\nMost<\/em> respondents were single parents.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
A sufficient amount\/number of<\/td>\nA sufficient number of cases were selected.<\/em><\/td>\n\u00a0Enough<\/td>\n\u00a0Enough\u00a0<\/em>cases were selected<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
As a result of<\/td>\nThe interview was cancelled as a result of<\/em> illness.<\/td>\n\u00a0Because of, due to<\/td>\n\u00a0The interview was cancelled due to<\/em> illness.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
At all times<\/td>\nThe laptop was kept in a locked office at all times<\/em>.<\/td>\n\u00a0Always<\/td>\n\u00a0The laptop was always<\/em> kept in a locked office.*<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
At the present time, at this point in time<\/td>\nThe IT sector is expanding at the present time<\/em>.<\/td>\n\u00a0Now, currently<\/td>\n\u00a0The IT sector is currently<\/em> expanding.*<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
By means of<\/td>\nThe surveys were distributed by means of <\/em>email.<\/td>\n\u00a0By<\/td>\n\u00a0The surveys were distributed by<\/em> email.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Draw attention to<\/td>\nArticles often draw attention to<\/em> the most problematic cases.<\/td>\n\u00a0Point out, point to<\/td>\n\u00a0Articles often point to<\/em> the most problematic cases.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Due to the fact that, in light of the fact that<\/td>\nThis definition cannot be used due to the fact that <\/em>it is too limiting.<\/td>\n\u00a0Because<\/td>\n\u00a0This definition cannot be used because<\/em> it is too limiting.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
For the purpose of<\/td>\nA spreadsheet was used for the purpose of <\/em>recording the data.<\/td>\n\u00a0For<\/td>\n\u00a0A spreadsheet was used for<\/em> recording the data.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
For the reason that<\/td>\nConsultants were excluded for the reason that<\/em> they are not regular staff.<\/td>\n\u00a0Because<\/td>\n\u00a0Consultants were excluded because<\/em> they are not regular staff.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Have a tendency to<\/td>\nEconomists have a tendency to <\/em>favor policy reform.<\/td>\n\u00a0Tend to<\/td>\n\u00a0Economists tend to <\/em>favor policy reform.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Have an impact on<\/td>\nAge appears to have an impact on<\/em> confidence.<\/td>\n\u00a0Affect<\/td>\n\u00a0Age appears to affect<\/em> confidence.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Have the ability to<\/td>\nThe scale has the ability to <\/em>measure to the microgram.<\/td>\n\u00a0Be able to, can<\/td>\n\u00a0The scale can<\/em> measure to the microgram.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
In comparison to<\/td>\nThe data showed that CEOs earn more in comparison to <\/em>CFOs.<\/td>\n\u00a0Than<\/td>\n\u00a0The results showed that CEOs earn more than<\/em> CFOs.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
In light of the fact that<\/td>\nSaad\u2019s theory is chosen in light of the fact that<\/em> it is most relevant.<\/td>\n\u00a0Because<\/td>\n\u00a0Saad\u2019s theory is chosen because<\/em> it is most relevant.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
In order to<\/td>\nMore research is needed in order to <\/em>fill this gap.<\/td>\n\u00a0To<\/td>\n\u00a0More research is needed to<\/em> fill this gap.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
In spite of the fact that, despite the fact that<\/td>\nIn spite of the fact that <\/em>the sample size was limited, \u2026<\/td>\n\u00a0Although<\/td>\n\u00a0Although<\/em> the sample size was limited, \u2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
In the event that<\/td>\nIn the event that<\/em> a question was left blank, \u2026<\/td>\n\u00a0If<\/td>\n\u00a0If<\/em> a question was left blank, \u2026<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
In the neighborhood of<\/td>\nThe factory produces in the neighborhood <\/em>of 5,000 cars a week.<\/td>\n\u00a0About<\/td>\n\u00a0The factory produces about<\/em> 5,000 cars a week.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
In the year YYYY<\/td>\nSales peaked in the year <\/em>2001.<\/td>\n\u00a0YYYY<\/td>\n\u00a0Sales peaked in 2001.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Is of the opinion<\/td>\nWang (2009) is of the opinion <\/em>that the model must be expanded.<\/td>\n\u00a0Thinks, believes<\/td>\n\u00a0Wang (2009) believes<\/em> that the model must be expanded.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Make a calculation of<\/td>\nWe made a calculation of<\/em> the average IQ.<\/td>\n\u00a0Calculate<\/td>\n\u00a0We calculated<\/em> the average IQ.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Make decisions about<\/td>\nMarketers must make decisions about<\/em> their target audience.<\/td>\n\u00a0Decide on<\/td>\n\u00a0Marketers must decide on <\/em>their target audience.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
On two occasions<\/td>\nThe patients were tested on two occasions.<\/em><\/td>\n\u00a0Twice<\/td>\n\u00a0The patients were tested twice<\/em>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Small in size<\/td>\nThe control group is relatively small in size<\/em>.<\/td>\n\u00a0Small<\/td>\n\u00a0The control group is relatively small<\/em>.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The people who are located in<\/td>\nThe people who are located in<\/em> rural areas had fewer symptoms.<\/td>\n\u00a0The people in<\/td>\n\u00a0The people in<\/em> rural areas had fewer symptoms.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
The reason why<\/td>\nThe<\/em> reason why <\/em>the population decreased is unknown.<\/td>\n\u00a0The reason<\/td>\n\u00a0The reason<\/em> the population decreased is unknown.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Until such time as<\/td>\nSmartphones will be used until such time as <\/em>a new technology is developed.<\/td>\n\u00a0Until<\/td>\n\u00a0Smartphones will be used until<\/em> a new technology is developed.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Whether or not<\/td>\nThe goal was to identify whether or not<\/em> gender made a difference.<\/td>\n\u00a0Whether<\/td>\n\u00a0The goal was to identify whether<\/em> gender made a difference.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

* If you replace a prepositional phrase with an adverb<\/a>, that adverb may need to shift to another part of the sentence<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Avoid redundancies<\/h2>\n

Another easy way to make your writing more concise is to avoid redundancies, which occur when the same idea is being expressed twice. In most cases, the meaning of one word is clearly implied in another (for example, isn\u2019t a summary by nature brief? Could collaboration be done in any other way but together? Isn\u2019t an import by definition foreign?).<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Examples of avoiding redundancies in theses<\/caption>\n
Redundant phrase<\/strong><\/th>\nImprovement<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
\u00a0Advance planning<\/td>\n\u00a0Planning<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Alternative choice<\/td>\n\u00a0Alternative<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0And etcetera<\/td>\n\u00a0Etcetera<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Ask the question<\/td>\n\u00a0Ask<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Assemble together<\/td>\n\u00a0Assemble<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Basic fundamentals<\/td>\n\u00a0Fundamentals<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Biography\/autobiography of her life<\/td>\n\u00a0Biography\/autobiography<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Brief moment<\/td>\n\u00a0Moment<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Brief summary<\/td>\n\u00a0Summary<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Careful scrutiny<\/td>\n\u00a0Scrutiny<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Cash money<\/td>\n\u00a0Cash<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Classify into groups<\/td>\n\u00a0Classify<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Collaborate together<\/td>\n\u00a0Collaborate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Combine together<\/td>\n\u00a0Combine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Compete with each other<\/td>\n\u00a0Compete<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Completely filled<\/td>\n\u00a0Filled<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Cooperate together<\/td>\n\u00a0Cooperate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Could possibly<\/td>\n\u00a0Could<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Crisis situation<\/td>\n\u00a0Crisis<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Current incumbent<\/td>\n\u00a0Incumbent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Current trend<\/td>\n\u00a0Trend<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Depreciate in value<\/td>\n\u00a0Depreciate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Different kinds<\/td>\n\u00a0Kinds<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Disappear from sight<\/td>\n\u00a0Disappear<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0During the course of<\/td>\n\u00a0During<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Each and every<\/td>\n\u00a0Each<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Earlier in time<\/td>\n\u00a0Earlier<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Empty space<\/td>\n\u00a0Space<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Equal to each other<\/td>\n\u00a0Equal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Estimated at about<\/td>\n\u00a0Estimate at<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Favorable approval<\/td>\n\u00a0Approval<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Fellow colleague<\/td>\n\u00a0Colleague<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Few in number<\/td>\n\u00a0Few<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Final conclusion<\/td>\n\u00a0Conclusion<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Final end<\/td>\n\u00a0End<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0First and foremost<\/td>\n\u00a0Foremost<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0First of all<\/td>\n\u00a0First<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Follow after<\/td>\n\u00a0Follow<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Foreign imports<\/td>\n\u00a0Imports<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Former graduate<\/td>\n\u00a0Graduate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Free gift<\/td>\n\u00a0Gift<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Future plans<\/td>\n\u00a0Plans<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0General public<\/td>\n\u00a0Public<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Grow in size<\/td>\n\u00a0Grow<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Had done previously<\/td>\n\u00a0Had done<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0HIV virus<\/td>\n\u00a0HIV<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Input into<\/td>\n\u00a0Input<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Interdependent on each other<\/td>\n\u00a0Interdependent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Introduced for the first time<\/td>\n\u00a0Introduced<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Joint collaboration<\/td>\n\u00a0Collaboration<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Knowledgeable experts<\/td>\n\u00a0Experts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Later time<\/td>\n\u00a0Later<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Little baby<\/td>\n\u00a0Baby<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Live audience<\/td>\n\u00a0Audience<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0May possibly<\/td>\n\u00a0May<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Meet together<\/td>\n\u00a0Meet<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Might possibly<\/td>\n\u00a0Might<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Mix together<\/td>\n\u00a0Mix<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Mutually interdependent<\/td>\n\u00a0Interdependent<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Mutual respect for each other<\/td>\n\u00a0Mutual respect<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0New innovation<\/td>\n\u00a0Innovation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0New invention<\/td>\n\u00a0Invention<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0None at all<\/td>\n\u00a0None<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Oral conversation<\/td>\n\u00a0Conversation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Over exaggerate<\/td>\n\u00a0Exaggerate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Passing fad<\/td>\n\u00a0Fad<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Past history<\/td>\n\u00a0History<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Past memories<\/td>\n\u00a0Memories<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Present time<\/td>\n\u00a0Present<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Previously listed above<\/td>\n\u00a0Previously listed<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Protest against<\/td>\n\u00a0Protest<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Recur again<\/td>\n\u00a0Recur<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Re-elect for another term<\/td>\n\u00a0Re-elect<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Regular routine<\/td>\n\u00a0Routine<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Reply back<\/td>\n\u00a0Reply<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Safe haven<\/td>\n\u00a0Haven<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Spell out in detail<\/td>\n\u00a0Spell out<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Splice together<\/td>\n\u00a0Splice<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Still persists<\/td>\n\u00a0Persists<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Sum total<\/td>\n\u00a0Total<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Surrounded on all sides<\/td>\n\u00a0Surrounded<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Tall in height<\/td>\n\u00a0Tall<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Two\/2:00 pm in the afternoon<\/td>\n\u00a0Two\/2:00 pm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Two equal halves<\/td>\n\u00a0Halves<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0True facts<\/td>\n\u00a0Facts<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Unexpected surprise<\/td>\n\u00a0Surprise<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Unintentional mistake<\/td>\n\u00a0Mistake<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Very unique<\/td>\n\u00a0Unique<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Visible to the eye<\/td>\n\u00a0Visible<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0Warn in advance<\/td>\n\u00a0Warn<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

More about repetition and redundancy<\/a><\/p>\n

Other interesting articles<\/strong><\/h2>\n

If you want to know more about AI for academic writing, AI tools, or fallacies make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples or go directly to our tools!<\/p>\n

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<\/em>Fallacies<\/strong><\/p>\n