1. Use the active voice
-NOT USED The decision was met with disapproval by the campaigners 9 WORDS
-USED The campaigners disapproved of the decision 6 WORDS
2. Avoid the use of "there is" and "there are" at the start of sentences
-NOT USED There are 28 countries that belong to the EU 9 WORDS
-USED 28 countries belong to the EU 6 WORDS
3. Use models
-May, might, could, should, must
-NOT USED It is possible that the project will be funded 9 WORDS
-USED The project may be funded 5 WORDS
4. Use verbs instead of nouns
-NOT USED The test is a demonstration of osmosis 7 WORDS
-USED The test demonstrates osmosis 4 WORDS
5. Use lists
-NOT USED Students can study a range of subjects at the university. These include History, Engineering, Medicine and Management 17 WORDS
-USED Students can study a range of subjects at the university: History, Engineering, Medicine and Management 15 WORDS
6. Exchange words/phrases for more concise versions
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Wordy
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Concise
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A majority of
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Many
|
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A number of
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Some
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At this point in time
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Now
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Basic essentials
|
Essentials
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Cancel out
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Cancel
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Come to the conclusion that
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Conclude
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Completely eliminate
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Eliminate
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Due to the fact that
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Because
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End result
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Result
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Enter into
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Enter
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For the purpose of
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To
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Give a summary of
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Summarise
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Has the ability to
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Can
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Have the capability to
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Can
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Higher in comparison with
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Higher Than
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In order to
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To
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In the absence of
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Without
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In the event that
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If
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Make a decision
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Decide
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Make a proposal about
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Propose
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Make an assumption about
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Assume
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May be the mechanism responsible for
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May be why
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So as to
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To
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Subsequent to
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After
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Take action
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Act
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There can be little doubt
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Definitely, certainly
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With regard to
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About
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Marsen, S. (2013), Professional writing. (3rd Edition). Basingstoke, UK: Palgrave Macmillian.
