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Updated by Marcia Riefer Johnston on Nov 07, 2014
Headline for 16 Words to Dump for Better, more Precise Writing
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16 Words to Dump for Better, more Precise Writing

1

weak be-verbs

weak be-verbs

is, was, were, will be, have been, am, are

2

ly words

ly words

(& other vapid adverbs)

3

very, such, so

very, such, so

And other empty intensifiers

"Write Tight(er)"-LavaCon, Oct 12, 2014

A fast, pain-free technique for creating concise, compelling, less-costly copy

5

not, no (& other negative words)

not, no (& other negative words)
6

the fact that

the fact that
7

just

just
8

begin to, try to, tend to, in order to

begin to, try to, tend to, in order to
9

period of time

period of time
10

in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general)

in light of, in spite of, in terms of (& of in general)
11

the fact that

the fact that
12

proverbial

proverbial
13

different (as in many different, 36 different)

different (as in many different, 36 different)
14

particular

particular
15

verbiage

verbiage
16

any other verbiage or unneeded words that you can pitch (for example, a bunch in this phrase)

any other verbiage or unneeded words that you can pitch (for example, a bunch in this phrase)