Avoid Redundancy and Unnecessary Phrases

The words in parentheses can be deleted.

Unnecessary Phrases

(already) existing

introduced (a new)

as a matter of fact

it should be pointed out that

(alternative) choices

mix (together)

I might add that

the course of

at (the) present (time)

never (before)

it is noteworthy that

the fact that

(basic) fundamentals

none (at all)

it is significant that

the presence of

(completely) eliminate

now (at this time)

as a matter of fact

it should be pointed out that

(continue to) remain

period (of time)

(currently) being

start (out)

Use Only the Necessary Words

Use Strong Verbs

Excessive words

Reduced to ..

Weak Verb Phrase

Strong Verb

at this point in time

now

made the arrangements for

arranged

at this point in time

then

made the decision

decided

has the ability to

can

made the measurement of

measured

has the potential to

can

performed the development of

developed

in light of the fact that

because

is beginning

begins

in the event that

if

is following

follows

in the vicinity of

near

is used to detect

detects

owing to the fact that

because

the question as to whether

whether

there is no doubt but that

no doubt

Vary Sentence Openers

Subject Verb

Mount St. Helens erupted on May 18, 1980.

Prepositional Phrase

Within minutes, the cloud devastated more than 500 square kilometers
of forests and lakes.

Transition Words

Recently, debate has arisen over the source of steam.

Introductory Clause

Although the effects of the eruption were well documented, the origin is
not well understood.

Infinitive Phrase

To understand the source of steam in volcanic eruptions, we have to

determine how much water the magma contains.

Verb (question)

Is it ground water heated by magma or water originally dissolved in the

magma itself?

Use Precise and Informative Language

Instead of "large", "long", and "near", give exact measurements, weights, dimensions, and ingredients.
Specify location and spatial relationships: "above", "behind", "adjacent", "overlappnig".
Specify position: "horizontal", "vertical", "parallel"
Avoid judgmental words such as "impressive", "poor", "beautiful" unless your judgment is
supported by facts

Source: The Craft of Scientific Writing, Michael Alley