Cohesion and Clarity
12- 36
Wordy Phrases to Avoid
The following is a transcribed list of words, expressions, and jargon to avoid in scientific and technical writing and was taken from Robert A. Day’s outstanding boo ks on technical writing:
Day, Robert A. How to Write and Publish a Scientific Paper. Philadelphia, ISI Press, 1979. Day, Robert A. Scientific English: A Guide for Scientists and Other Professionals. Phoenix, Oryx Press, 1992.
Avoid
Use instead
Avoid
Use instead
a considerable amount of
much many
be advised that
(omit)
a considerable
by means of
by, with
numberof a great number of
capability
ability cause
often
causal factor
times a majority of a number of
caveat
warning
most some a few
completely full consensus of opinion considerable
full
consensus
a small number of
absolutely
essential
much
essential accounted for by
amount of
because
deem
think
the fact that
definitely proved despite the fact
proved
adjacent to
near
although
afford an
let
that due to the fact
opportunity along the lines of an example of this
because
like
that during the course of during the time
for example
during, while
fact is that
an order of
10 times faster
while
magnitude faster
that echelons elucidate
levels
apparent
clear agree
explain
are of the same opinion as a consequence of as a matter of fact
employ
use
enclosed herewith
enclosed
because
encounter end result endeavor
meet
result
in fact (or omit)
try
as a means of as is the case as of this date
to
entirely eliminate
eliminate
as happens
equivalent eventuate evidenced fabricate
equal
today
happen showed
as to
about (or omit)
as to whether at a rapid rate
whether rapidly
make death fewer
fatal outcome fewer in number
at an early date at an earlier date at some future time at the conclusion of at the present time at this point in time based on the fact
soon
previously
finalize
end first after
later
first of all following
after
for a period of
for for
for the purpose of for the reason that from the point of
now now
since, because
for
view future plans
because
plans
that
give an account of
describe
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