Avoiding Wordiness: What to Use Instead
Struggling with wordy writing? Learn how to simplify your sentences with 10 examples of wordy phrases and what to say instead. Clearer writing starts here!
Clear, concise writing isn’t just nice to read—it’s powerful. Wordy sentences can confuse your message, bore your audience, and make your writing seem less professional. The good news? You can cut the clutter without cutting meaning.
Here’s a practical guide to avoiding wordiness, with wordy phrases and their concise alternatives.
📝 Why Wordiness Hurts Your Writing
Wordiness often stems from trying to sound more formal or academic—but it usually has the opposite effect. Too many unnecessary words slow down the reader, obscure your main point, and weaken the impact of your writing.
✂️ Examples: Wordy vs. Concise
Let’s look at a few examples before diving into the full list:
| Wordy Phrase | Better Alternative |
|---|---|
| In order to | To |
| Due to the fact that | Because |
| At this point in time | Now |
| Has the ability to | Can |
| In the event that | If |
| With regard to | About |
| A large number of | Many |
| Despite the fact that | Although |
| Is able to | Can |
| For the purpose of | To |
And there are hundreds more like these!
✅ Final Tip: Use Word Counters
A great way to stay concise is by using a word and character counter while you write. Tools like fastwordount.com help you stay within limits while keeping your writing tight and impactful.
