SUPERFLUOUS WORDS
Avoid awkward phrases as a man of the name of. A man named is not only better style but shorter. Do not write at the corner of State and Griswold streets, but simply at State and Griswold streets. In place of so that use either so or that. In the phrases that follow, observe that the italicized words are not needed.
- throughout the whole of the state
- throughout the entire state
- in order to
- a hill resembling in its form a hat
- the problem is a difficult one
- he addressed the different schools
- As yet no clue has been found
- he works equally as hard
- most are of a large size
- the color of the hat was green
Don't say invited guest. It is supposed that a guest is invited.
Don't say They both went. Omit they.
Write equally well, or as well, not equally as well.
Don't write new beginner or new recruit.
Don't write general consensus of opinion. Omit the general. Consensus means a general agreement.
Don't say entirely completed. Completed means finished in entirety.
Don't say partly completed; that phrase involves a contradiction.