1 : using or containing many and usually too many words. 2 : of or relating to words : verbal.

What does wordiness mean in writing?

Wordy sentences use too many useless words that clutter writing. Good writing is simple and direct; it uses the simplest word possible that conveys the same meaning. ... If you can remove a word while keeping the sentence's meaning, the sentence is wordy.

What is wordiness with example?

A redundant expression says the same thing twice, and doublespeak avoids getting directly to the point. Both are examples of wordy expressions. Other such expressions use more than one word when one word is simpler and more direct—for example, using the phrase in the vicinity of instead of near.

How do you describe wordy?

1. Wordy, prolix, redundant, pleonastic all mean using more words than necessary to convey a desired meaning. Wordy, the broadest and least specific of these terms, may, in addition to indicating an excess of words, suggest a garrulousness or loquaciousness: a wordy, gossipy account of a simple incident.

How do you identify wordiness?

1. Eliminate redundant pairs. ...
2. Delete unnecessary qualifiers. ...
3. Identify and reduce prepositional phrases. ...
4. Locate and delete unnecessary modifiers. ...
5. Replace a phrase with a word. ...
6. Identify negatives and change them to affirmatives. ...
7. Think about your argument. ...
8. Think about your audience.

Lesson 16: Wordy Sentences

What is the difference between redundancy and wordiness?

As nouns the difference between wordiness and redundancy

is that wordiness is the excessive, often unnecessary, use of words in a sentence while redundancy is the state of being redundant; a superfluity; something redundant or excessive; a needless repetition in language; excessive wordiness.

What are the 4 types of wordiness?

• Complex Sentences. When writing, you might catch a flow. ...
• Overusing Complex Words. ...
• Bulky Paragraphs. ...
• Blurred Picture.

What are causes of wordiness?

Excessive use of the passive voice, excessive nominalization, unnecessary repetition, and unnecessary words and phrases are some common causes of wordy writing.

How do I get rid of wordiness?

1. Use the Key Noun. ...
2. Use Active Voice rather than Passive Voice Verbs. ...
3. Avoid Unnecessary Language. ...
4. Use Nouns rather than Vague Pronouns as Subjects. ...
5. Use Verbs rather than Nouns to Express Action. ...
6. Avoid a String of Prepositional Phrases.

What is a word for using too many words?

Pleonasm. noun 1 : the use of more words than those necessary to denote mere sense (as in "the man he said") : redundancy 2 : an instance or example of pleonasm.

What is general wordiness?

The use of more words than necessary to effectively convey meaning in speech or writing: verbosity. Adjective: wordy. Contrast with conciseness, directness, and clarity.

Why is wordiness a problem in essay writing?

Eliminating Wordiness Improves Clarity

Wordiness can sneak into your paper without you even realizing it. When we draft, we often write how we think or speak. These extra words, however, need to be eliminated in academic writing in order to improve clarity.

What is a synonym for wordiness?

In this page you can discover 59 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for wordiness, like: verbosity, verbiage, repetition, turgidity, prolixity, diffusion, redundancy, diffuseness, circumlocution, tautology and indirectness.

How do you use wordy in a sentence?

Wordy: Due to the fact that class is cancelled, we will postpone the quiz. Better: Because class is cancelled, we will postpone the quiz. Wordy: In spite of the fact that I am failing, I have enjoyed the class. Better: Although I am failing, I have enjoyed the class.

What does it mean to eliminate wordiness in your writing?

Eliminate filler words

One easy way to avoid wordiness is to limit or eliminate the use of "filler words." Filler words sneak between relevant words, and though they may sound good, they are essentially useless. ... Leaving this word out would not change the meaning and would actually improve the sentence.

How do you say someone is wordy?

1. lengthy.
2. long-winded.
3. rambling.
4. turgid.
5. bombastic.
6. chatty.
7. diffuse.
8. discursive.

How do you remove wordiness and redundancy?

1. Delete “dummy subjects.” Don't start sentences with “there are” or “it is.” Instead, get to the real subject of the sentence. Compare: ...
2. Use active voice. ...
3. Eliminate redundancy. ...
4. Replace prepositional phrases with one word modifiers. ...
5. Combine short sentences.

What are two 2 ways of avoiding wordiness in writing?

• Eliminate redundancy. ...
• Strike out excess adjectives. ...
• Strike out redundant adverbs. ...
• Compress adverb clauses into participial phrases. ...
• Compress relative clauses to participial phrases. ...
• Change verb phrases to single active verbs. ...
• Get rid of intensifiers.

What is the paramedic method for editing sentences?

Developed by Richard Lanham, the paramedic method is a set of clear steps for analyzing and revising wordy sentences. Writers use the paramedic method to improve clarity and readability so that they communicate concisely and effectively. Basically, the paramedic method helps make confusing syntax comprehensible.

Which words or phrases can cause unnecessary wordiness in writing?

Eliminate Redundant Words and Phrases

Introductory words such as “basically” or “truly.” These don't really add anything to your writing and thus get cut. Qualifiers such as “very”, “really,” and “quite.” These don't add anything either. They're too vague and easily replaced by better words.

What should be your average sentence length?

Appropriate Sentence Length

Try to keep the average sentence length of your document around 20–25 words. This is a good rule of thumb to convey your meaning in a balanced way and avoiding a marathon or choppy sentences.

How do you use unclear in a sentence?

1. Whether he will physically transition is still unclear. ...
2. It was unclear last night when they can return. ...
3. The cause of the alarm remains unclear. ...
4. It remains unclear why you acted so badly. ...
5. It remains unclear whether he will be fit to bat at all.

What might be a clue that your sentences are wordy?

Wordiness 101 A sentence is wordy when its sound exceeds its meaning. As you edit, cut or restate anything that does not help the reader focus on your point.

What is an empty Opener?

For some writers, empty openers are a habitual way of beginning a sentence, functioning like the ums and ahs that sometimes punctuate speech.