The ideal average sentence length depends on the audience. In general, the broader the audience, the shorter the sentences should be: an average of 15 words per sentence for publications for a general audience and no more than 25 words per sentence for more technical publications. Good writing varies the sentence length to keep the flow of language interesting and dynamic.
Remove unnecessary words
Sentences are stronger and easier to understand when wordiness is eliminated. Try to identify which words add meaning to your writing and which just take up space.
Waffle words
Waffle words do not add content. They disrupt the flow of the sentence and make it less readable:
Generally speaking, writers can basically rely in the main on certain fundamental techniques to structure their text.
becomes
Writers can rely on fundamental techniques to structure their text.
There is or There are at the beginning of a sentence can often be deleted to make a firmer start:
There are several host plants in Australia that are susceptible to European canker.
becomes
Several host plants in Australia are susceptible to European canker.
Repeated meanings
Think about whether you are saying the same thing twice. Repeated meanings are an unnecessary form of wordiness. Paired words can also be a hazard:
The end result was shorter in length than we had hoped, but we plan to increase the text in the future.
becomes
The result was shorter than we had hoped, but we plan to increase the text.
Our writing methods and techniques enabled us to achieve our aims and objectives.
becomes
Our writing methods enabled us to achieve our aims.
In an attempt to compare the effects of the policy in the beef and dairy industries …
becomes
To compare the effects of the policy in the beef and dairy industries …
Non-essential information
Avoid phrases when the information is obvious, implied or irrelevant:
My story for the competition reached the magazine through the post 1 day late, so when she scored it the judge took 10 points off from my assessment.
becomes
My story reached the magazine 1 day late, so the judge deducted 10 points.
Caginess
Lack of confidence in your argument can lead to wordiness (although qualifying phrases can have their place in academic or report writing):
It is possible that this book is for the most part a potential bestseller.
becomes
This book is a potential bestseller.
Outside references
Try cutting references to other people’s thinking or reactions (if necessary, convey the source through specific citations):
Finally, it has been noted that reading, according to most measures, is usually thought of as essential to modern life; as we have seen, this means that good reading classes are vital in early education.
becomes
Reading is essential to modern life; this means that good reading classes are vital in early education.
Phrases that can be shortened
Keep an eye out for common wordy constructions in your writing and see whether you can replace them with more concise words or phrases, as long as you do not change the meaning.
Each of the following alternatives is not only shorter but has a more precise meaning:
We have a number of options.
could become
We have a few options.
We have many options.
We have 4 options. [If you know how many, why not say so?]
In some cases, the extra words can be omitted completely (as long as the meaning is preserved):
We have options.
Shorter substitutes for some common wordy phrases are given in the following table:
| Common wordy phrase | Shorter substitute |
|---|---|
| the reason for | because, since, why |
| for the reason that | |
| due to the fact that | |
| owing to the fact that | |
| in light of the fact that | |
| considering the fact that | |
| on the grounds that | |
| despite the fact that | although, even though |
| regardless of the fact that | |
| in the event that | if |
| if it should happen that | |
| under circumstances in which | |
| on the occasion of | when |
| in a situation in which | |
| under circumstances in which | |
| as regards | about, regarding |
| in reference to | |
| with regard to | |
| concerning the matter of | |
| it is crucial that | must, should |
| it is necessary that | |
| there is a need/necessity for | |
| it is important that | |
| is able to | can |
| is in a position to | |
| has the opportunity to | |
| has the capacity for | |
| has the ability to | |
| it is possible that | may, might, can, could |
| there is a chance that | |
| it could happen that | |
| the possibility exists for | |
| in order to | to |
| a number of | a few, several, some, many |
| a higher level of | more |
| in excess of | more than |
| in the absence of | without |
| at the same time as | as, when |
| by the time | |
| simultaneously with | |
| during the course of | during, while |
| in the process of | |
in anticipation of prior to | before |
| subsequent to | after |
| following on from | |
| not different | similar |
| not many | few |
| not have | lack |
| not include | omit |
| not consider | ignore |
| not the same | different |
| not often | rarely |
| not allow | prevent |
| not admit | deny |
| not accept | reject |
| and also | and |
| outside of | outside |
| within | in |
Convert clauses to sentences
Sentences with more than 1 clause are reasonably easy to split into separate sentences:
Making your curry the day before you want to eat it gives the flavours a chance to develop and is an easy way to improve the taste without extra effort.
becomes
Making your curry the day before you want to eat it gives the flavours a chance to develop. This is an easy way to improve the taste without extra effort.
There is considerable difficulty associated with measuring the risk associated with exposure to radiation; notably, that cancers may appear decades after exposure and cannot be differentiated from cancers of spontaneous origin.
becomes
Measuring the risk associated with exposure to radiation is difficult. Cancers may appear decades after exposure and cannot be differentiated from cancers of spontaneous origin.
Change lists to bullet points
Lists within sentences are often more readable in bullet points; however, do not simply reduce a document to a set of lists. Readers’ eyes are drawn to bullet lists, so use lists to emphasise the text in the list or to clarify the text (e.g. for a set of instructions):
Training should include periodic feedback from a supervisor, detailed study of relevant technical manuals and attendance at external courses, if available.
becomes
Training should include:
- periodic feedback from a supervisor
- detailed study of relevant technical manuals
- attendance at external courses, if available.
The program is based on an identified problem or threat, and an understanding of the causes, based on good science and information; recognition of diversity among land managers; and clearly defined objectives and outcomes, including those linked to regional natural resource management plans.
becomes
The program is based on:
- an identified problem or threat
- an understanding of the causes, based on good science and information
- recognition of diversity among land managers
- clearly defined objectives and outcomes, including those linked to regional natural resource management plans.