Yes, even long-standing expressions, the darlings of speech, can be substituted for simpler discourse. If two words (“no difference”) can replace 10 (“six of one …”), then why not take the plunge? Here is our latest list of words you can often do without to tighten your writing:
Reduce:
At some time in the future
Divert away from
A red-coloured dress
Dates back from
Reduce to one word:
Awkward predicament
Short tweet
Added bonus
Face mask
A number of examples
Private industry
Acres of land
Substitute:
a certain measure of some
a lot of many
an adequate number of enough
arrive at a decision decide
by means of through
has a preference for prefers
in a timely fashion soon
not always the case sometimes
six of one and half a dozen of the other no difference
in certain situations occasionally
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