ExamplesofPoorWriting.doc

Examples of Poor Writing
The following is a list of the most wanted culprits.

The "deadwood" is in bold; use the suggested term instead.

a majority of -- most

a sufficient amount of -- enough

according to our data -- we find

accordingly -- therefore, so

after the conclusion of -- after

along the lines of -- like

as is the case -- as is true

ascertain the location of -- find

at such time as -- when

at the present time -- now

at this point in time -- now

be deficient in -- lack

be in a position to -- can, be able

by a factor of two -- two times, double, twice

by means of -- by

come to a conclusion -- conclude

despite the fact that -- although

due to the fact that -- because

during the time that -- while

equally as well -- as well, equally well

fewer in number -- fewer

for the purpose of -- to, for

for the reason that -- because

for this reason -- thus, therefore

give consideration to -- consider, examine

give indication of -- show, indicate, suggest

happen(s) to be -- am/is/are

has been proved to be -- is

if conditions are such that -- if

in a number of -- several, many

in all cases -- always

in case -- if

in close proximity to -- near

in excess of -- more than

in large measure -- largely

in many cases -- often

in most cases -- usually

in no case -- never

in order that -- so that

in order to -- to

in some cases -- sometimes

in terms of -- in

in the amount of -- for

in the case of -- for

in the event that -- if

in the field of -- in

in the near future -- soon

in the neighborhood of -- near, about, nearly

in the vicinity of -- near

in this case -- here

in view of the fact that -- because, since

is capable of -- can

is found to be -- is

is in a position to -- can

it has been found that -- (nothing)

it has long been known that -- (nothing)

it is a fact that -- (nothing)

it is evident that -- (nothing)

it is interesting to note that -- note that

it is noted that -- (nothing)

it is our opinion that -- we think

it is possible that -- perhaps

it is well known that -- (nothing)

it may be said that -- (nothing)

make inquiry regarding -- ask about, inquire about

manner in which -- how

not with standing the fact that -- although

on the basis of -- from, because, by

on the order of -- about, approximately

present in greater abundance -- more abundant

prior to -- before

provided that -- if

put an end to -- end

reach a conclusion -- conclude

serves the function of being -- is

subsequent to -- after

the question as to -- whether

there can be little doubt that -- probably

utilize or utilization -- use

with reference to -- about

with the exception that -- except that

Deadwood is also found in excessively wordy writing. In other words, where writers use two or three words when one will suffice.