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Wordy Phrases—11 Examples and Alternatives

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A wordy phrase—an unnecessarily long expression—can distract or confuse your readers. Below you’ll find 11 wordy phrases and shorter substitutes you can use instead.

Replacement phrases for wordy phrases.
It’s best to avoid wordy phrases unless you’re writing in a creative setting and it serves a purpose.

A wordy phrase is a phrase that is unnecessarily long or uses too many words to get the message across.

I am of the opinion that dogs are the best.

I believe that dogs are the best.


What Is Wordiness?

Wordiness is when a sentence contains words that make it longer than it needs to be. It can weaken your writing, so we’re going to give you 11 wordy phrases and shorter alternatives you can use. Plus, we will give you one bonus tip that’ll help you remove wordy phrases from all your texts.


Correcting Wordy Phrases

Long and winding expressions can confuse your readers. To avoid this, it’s best to use shorter alternatives instead.

1) A number of

A number of teammates were on the same page.

Several teammates were on the same page.

2) Came to a realization

I came to a realization that I was getting old.

I realized that I was getting old.

3) At this point in time

Johanna will be presenting at this point in time.

Johanna will be presenting now.

4) In spite of

They stayed friends in spite of their big fight.

They stayed friends despite their big fight.

5) Close proximity

Right when we entered the zoo, we were in close proximity to wild animals.

Right when we entered the zoo, we were in proximity to wild animals.

6) In regard to

I am writing to you in regard to the job listing.

I am writing to you regarding the job listing.

7) In the absence of

If you’re in the absence of a guide, please contact the main office.

If you’re without a guide, please contact the main office.

8) In the event that

In the event that we’re late, please begin without us.

If we’re late, please begin without us.

9) In spite of the fact that

In spite of the fact that they were on the same team, they kept bickering.

Although they were on the same team, they kept bickering.

10) I am of the opinion

I am of the opinion that dogs are the best.

I believe that dogs are the best.

11) On the grounds that

He was hired on the grounds that he could start today.

He was hired because he could start today.

Wordy Sentences Checker

There are hundreds and hundreds of wordy phrases that have shorter alternatives. How can you remember them all? Luckily, you don’t have to. LanguageTool can detect wordy phrases like the ones listed above and will suggest more concise options. Additionally, this multilingual writing assistant can also correct spelling and grammar mistakes in more than 20 languages.


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