Wordiness

Wordiness means using more words than necessary within a sentence, especially short, vague words that do not add much meaning.

Wordy sentences are often indirect; their subject and verb do not express the main focus of the sentence. Avoid wordiness in your essays whenever possible, since it makes your ideas difficult to follow. Eliminating wordiness will make your sentences more concise (to-the-point) while retaining the original meaning. The following are examples of wordy sentences, along with more concise ones:

wordy

Shirley Chisolm is somebody who campaigned to be the American president in 1972.

concise

Shirley Chisolm campaigned to be the American president in 1972.

wordy

It would seem to be the case that the bacterial colony has doubled in size.

concise

The bacterial colony seems to have doubled in size.

wordy

School is cancelled due to the fact that there will be faculty training.

concise

School is cancelled due to faculty training.

wordy

Many people have a tendency to become hostile when questioned about their beliefs.

concise

Many people become hostile when questioned about their beliefs.