Writing Clear, Concise Sentences

Follow the principles below to write sentences that are clear, to the point, and easier to read. Download this handout

1. Use the active voice
2. Put the action in the verb
3. Put wordy phrases on a diet
4. Reduce wordy verbs
5. Reduce prepositional phrases
6. Reduce expletive constructions
7. Avoid using vague nouns
8. Avoid unneccessarily inflated words
9. Avoid noun strings