First drafts are usually not pretty. One of the major causes is wordiness.
Though not always easy, omitting “needless words” is a crucial service to readers. The following list highlights a particular type of wordiness to avoid: redundant words and phrases in your writing.
1. At the present time
The present implies time; you can just say “At present” or “presently”.
2. Join together
Things that are joined are together, so together is redundant. Just write join.
3. Direct confrontation
To confront is to meet an opposing party directly, face to face. I’m not sure there is such a thing as indirect confrontation. I’ve seen the term used, but I think they mean indirect communication.
4. End result
A result happens at the end. End should be omitted
5. Few in number
Few refers to a number, so the added phrase in number is superfluous.
6. Final outcome
An outcome is a result, which implies finality. Final isn’t necessary.
7. Repeat again (as in, Can you repeat that again, please?)
To repeat is to say again, so this is like saying, “Can you say that again again?”
8. Unexpected surprise
A surprise is unexpected; otherwise it’s not a surprise.
9. The reason why
I’m not sure why why is there. It can be dropped without changing the meaning.
10. Very unique
Unique means one of a kind; the intensifier very doesn’t make anything more one of a kind.
11. Exact same
Same means identical
12. Emergency situation
An emergency is a type of situation. Most wouldn’t say, “We have a situation that is an emergency,” so why use emergency situation? Better: We have an emergency.
13. During the course of
During, by itself, does sufficient work. I don’t see any meaning lost by cutting out the course of —at least none that justifies the extra words.
14. Close proximity
Proximity means near or close, so the phrase above is akin to saying close closeness. Proximity alone will suffice.
15. Established convention (As in, My writing style breaks with established convention)
As used above, convention means rules, methods, or practices established by usage or custom. In other words, a convention is something that has, by definition, been established. Better: My writing style breaks with convention.
A quick thought about this list
This list is not meant to be exhaustive. It is meant to help you adopt a certain attitude toward trimming fat from your writing. Writing concisely does not mean consulting a list of go-to phrases. It means adopting a mindset and making a commitment to readers to not waste their time and energy—to present your ideas with the clarity your readers deserve.