The two previous issues of Grammatically Correct focused on ways to make your writing more concise, specifically by reducing expletive constructions and unnecessary prepositional phrases in your sentences. This issue of Grammatically Correct will focus on making your writing more concise by reducing circumlocutions.

A circumlocution occurs when someone uses indirect language consisting of several words when he/she could have said the same thing in one or two words. Let’s take a look at some examples.

Wordy Examples

At this point in time we are unable to correct the computer problem.

After seeing the shattered window, James arrived at the conclusion that someone had broken into his home.

Concise Examples

We are currently unable to correct the computer problem.

After seeing the shattered window, James concluded that someone had broken into his home.

Note how in each sentence the wordy indirect expression has been replaced with a shorter version that says exactly the same thing. Now, let’s take a look at a list of wordy and outdated phrases that can be stated more directly in fewer words.

Wordy                                                                         Concise
along the lines of                                                           like/similar to
arrived at the conclusion                                               concluded
at all times                                                                    always
at a distance of 100 feet                                                at 100 feet
at a price of $100                                                         for $100
at this point in time/at the present time                           now/currently/presently
in the event that                                                            if
in many cases                                                              often
in the meantime                                                            meanwhile
in spite of the fact that                                                  although/despite
on a daily basis                                                            daily
the reason for                                                               because/since
with regard to/in reference to                                        about

Notice that each of the wordy phrases can be condensed to one or two words. It is generally best to change wordy phrases like these to their shortened versions in your formal writing.

Next week’s issue of Grammatically Correct will continue our series on concise sentences with a discussion on using active verbs.

Along with our website, we recommend the following site: Griffith University’s “Writing Concise Sentences” at http://www.cit.gu.edu.au/~mf/wrsk/Concise.pdf. This website has a wordy phrases section that lists indirect expressions and their more concise alternatives. It also features a brief quiz on writing concise sentences.

Test your ability to write concise sentences by reducing the circumlocutions in each sentence.

1. The dogs are with their owners at all times.

2. In spite of the fact that our team practiced every day, we still lost the competition.

3. In many cases Laura arrived late.

Answers

1. The dogs are always with their owners.

2. Although our team practiced daily, we still lost the competition.

3. Often, Laura arrived late.  OR  Laura often arrived late.

Grammatically Correct is a grammar tip of the week created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas.

Comments about this newsletter should be directed to Summer Leibensperger, leibenspergers@uhv.edu.

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