Skip to content
RMIT University Library - Learning Lab

Use clear and concise language

 

Use simple, clear and direct language. Use strong verbs (doing/action words) rather than noun phrases.

Compare:

Sentence 1

We undertook a comparison of computers.

Sentence 2

We compared computers.

Both sentences have the same meaning. Using the verb 'compared' rather than the noun phrase 'undertook a comparison' makes the second sentence clear and direct.

Activity: clear and concise language

Replace these ‘wordy’ phrases with a more concise alternative. Drag the concise words to their original correct places. Only correct answers will be accepted.

1. At this point in time =

2. Due to the fact that =

3. As a matter of fact =

4. At all times =

5. At the present time =

6. By means of =

7. For the purpose of =

8. In spite of the fact that =

9. In the event that =

10. In the final analysis =

11. A sufficient number =

12. Have the ability to =

13. Until such time as =

14. In the nature of =

because
in fact
finally
enough
for
now
although
if
able to
always
currently
by
until
like

Activity: clear and concise language

Replace these ‘wordy’ phrases with a more concise alternative.

1. At this point in time = _

2. Due to the fact that = _

3. As a matter of fact = _

4. At all times = _

5. At the present time = _

6. By means of = _

7. For the purpose of = _

8. In spite of the fact that = _

9. In the event that = _

10. In the final analysis = _

11. A sufficient number = _

12. Have the ability to = _

13. Until such time as = _

14. In the nature of = _

Answers

1. At this point in time = now

2. Due to the fact that = because

3. As a matter of fact = in fact

4. At all times = always

5. At the present time = currently

6. By means of = by

7. For the purpose of = for

8. In spite of the fact that = although

9. In the event that = if

10. In the final analysis = finally

11. A sufficient number = enough

12. Have the ability to = able to

13. Until such time as = until

14. In the nature of = like