backJust say the word
Some of us made padding out our writing an art form when handing in school or university assignments with a specified work count. But in business writing, padding doesn’t pay.
Every unnecessary word makes the job harder for your colleagues and managers, and dilutes your message. It also contributes to the avalanche of words your readers have to wade through each day.
One way of cutting down the padding is look for typical phrases you use when one word would do the job. We all have our ‘padding pets’. Hunt out yours out and just say the word!
Here is a selection of my padding peeves. These three, four and fivesomes need to go solo.
|
Threesomes |
Going solo |
Example |
|
by means of |
by |
We will reduce waste by means of recycling. |
|
in accordance with |
under, by |
In accordance with [Under] the new law |
|
with regard to |
about |
I am writing with regard to [about] a new offer. |
|
in order to |
to |
Switch it off in order to reduce noise. |
|
an absence of |
no, none |
There is an absence of [no] reliable data. |
|
at this time |
now |
The training is [now] fully booked. at this time |
|
Four or fivesomes |
|
|
|
until such time as |
until |
Remain onsite until such time as the work is complete. |
|
through the use of |
by |
The water is sterilised through the use of [by] boiling. |
|
due to the fact that |
because |
The meeting was late due the fact that [because] members were stuck in traffic. |
|
a sufficient number of |
enough |
There are [enough] a sufficient number of chairs. |
|
in a careful manner |
carefully |
She worked in a careful manner [carefully]. |
|
please do not hesitate to |
please |
Please do not hesitate to contact me. |
What are your pet padding peeves?