Today’s EyeEdit Writing Tip: Do not use four words where one will do.

Redundant words weigh down sentences, making them seem long and boring. Good sentences are tight, with every word earning its place. Below are examples of words you can edit if you want your writing to be more economic.

Wordy More economic
at the present time now
until such time as until
in the area of about
in connection with about
in the event of if
for the purpose of to
take action act
it has come to my attention I understand
she came to a decision she decided

How would you simplify this sentence (in addition to losing the block capitals)?

NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN THIS JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED.

Here is one possible rewrite in plain English:

You should rely only on the information contained in this document or that we have referred you to. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different.

This exercise is taken from

A Plain English Handbook How to create clear SEC disclosure documents

By the Office of Investor Education and Assistance of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission

http://www.sec.gov/pdf/handbook.pdf

Quiz

Try this quiz at http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/nova/nova8.htm

Happy writing,

EyeEdit Team

Copyright 2010 Eye Edit.  All rights reserved

Unlike
  • Share/Bookmark