As a writer, brevity holds the key to clarity. The shorter your sentences, the easier they are to read and comprehend. Here are 20 tips to help you write concise English sentences:
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Use active voice instead of passive voice: The cat chased the mouse (active); The mouse was chased by the cat (passive).
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Eliminate unnecessary words: Instead of "It is my sincere belief" use "I believe".
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Remove redundant phrases: Instead of "New innovation" use "Innovation".
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Use simpler words: Use "begin" instead of "commence".
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Write in short, simple sentences: Use punctuation to break up long sentences.
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Avoid using adverbs: Instead of "He spoke loudly" use "He shouted".
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Use contractions: Use "don’t" instead of "do not".
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Use pronouns: Instead of "John went to the store and John bought groceries" use "John went to the store and he bought groceries".
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Use parallel structure: "She likes skiing, swimming, and hiking" instead of "She likes to ski, swim, and hiking".
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Omit needless words: "In spite of the fact that" can be shortened to "Although".
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Avoid using clichés: Use descriptive language instead of old sayings.
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Use strong verbs instead of adjectives: "The car raced down the street" instead of "The car was fast".
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Avoid using nominalizations: Use "crush" instead of "the act of crushing".
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Avoid using vague language: Be specific when describing something.
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Use direct quotes: Instead of "He said that he will be late" use "He said, ‘I will be late’".
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Use active verbs: Instead of "There is a possibility that he will come" use "He may come".
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Use subheadings to break up longer paragraphs: Make your writing easy to scan for readers.
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Use short paragraphs: Keep each paragraph to no more than three sentences.
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Use bullet points: Use this format to list three or more items.
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Read your writing aloud: You’ll notice flaws in your writing more easily this way.
In conclusion, effective communication is all about clarity, and conciseness is key to that. By using the tips outlined above, your writing will become clearer and more concise, enabling you to convey your message effectively.