We’ve all read those mission statements or fundraising appeals that seem to have smart ideas, but when you take a closer look you realize they just have a lot of words.
Shorter is nearly always better. Replace these wordy phrases with their concise alternatives.
- a majority of = most
- a sufficient amount of = enough
- according to our data = we find
- after the conclusion of = after
- along the lines of = like
- are in receipt of = have
- ascertain the location of = find
- at such time as = when
- at the present time = now
- at this point in time = now
- be deficient in = lack
- be in a position to = can, be able
- by a factor of two = doubled, twice
- by means of = by
- despite the fact that = although
- due to the fact that = because
- during the time that = while
- for the purpose of = to, for
- for the reason that = because
- for this reason = thus, therefore
- happens to be = is
- has been proved to be = is
- have to have = need
- if and when = use either if or when
- if conditions are such that = if
- in a number of = several, many
- in all cases = always
- in close proximity to = near
- in excess of = more than
- in many cases = often
- in most cases = usually
- in no case = never
- in order that = so that
- in order to = to
- in some cases = sometimes
- in terms of = in
- in the amount of = for
- in the neighborhood of = near, about, or nearly
- in view of the fact that = because or since
- in the case of = for
- in the event that = if
- in the near future = soon
- in the vicinity of = near
- is found to be = is
- is in a position to = can
- it is our opinion that = we think
- it is possible that = perhaps
- manner in which = how
- not withstanding the fact that = although
- on the basis of = from, because, or by
- on the order of = about
- provided that = if
- serves the function of being = is
- the question as to = whether
- there can be little doubt that = probably
- unless or until = use either unless or until
- utilize or utilization = use
- with reference to = about
