examples of unnecessary words in sentences

“Figure it out.”. For example, “The box was completely full of clothes.” reads the same as, “The box was full of clothes.” or better yet, “The box was stuffed with clothes.”. She often pothers herself over unnecessary details. “Low-income residents with leaking pipes can call out a plumber to fix leaks for free.” You are free to … Amazing, right? You’ll be the first to know about new books, short stories, exclusive content, and more. www.use-in-a-sentence.com English words and Examples of Usage Example Sentences for "necessary" It is really unnecessary to bring anything to the party; we have lots of food, and plenty of stuff to drinkTo really learn vocabulary, it is necessary to study it in a variety of ways. You’ll be the first to know about new books, exclusive content, and more. In my example "my answer" uses "my" with a noun and describes whose answer it is. Doing a Find/Replace to delete these words isn’t a good option because there will be some instances when simply removing the word muddles the meaning of your sentence. In most cases, you can remove in my humble opinion altogether. Do you like to just follow up on things? If you’re an expert in something or have good reason for what you’re writing, don’t give people reason not to trust in that! A sentence contains a verb or a verb phrase. With regards to your order, it will be shipped today can be rephrased as Regarding your order, it will be shipped today and it comes out cleaner and more concise. So many words exist in the English language that can add intensity better than really, and communicate your point more precisely while you’re at it. The use of pompous sentences and words; The use of tautology, which is the needles repetition of a word or idea using different words; Use of meaningless jargon; The use of unnecessary qualifiers for example ‘completely finished’ Below are some examples of redundancies in sentences. Try reading through paragraphs from the end of the piece back to the beginning. The mother went to the store, but the child went to school.The mother went to the store is a word group which can stand alone as a sentence (independent clause). The… Most of the time, you’ll find there’s not. Wonder, ponder, think, thought, feel, felt, understand, realize. I drove to town in order to pick up the dry cleaning has the exact same meaning as I drove to town to pick up the dry cleaning. Also, my examples below might be exaggerated, but I hope they get the points across. Answer: My answer has to be yes! Just is another word that’s often used to soften something, but there’s a difference between being straightforward and being rude. We uncover everything from the active voice to repetition. Getting rid of it will create a more confident, concise phrase. As word nerds, we agree to an extent. Something like By the time he’d arrived, he’d missed more than half of his appointment is much clearer. For example: “I don’t know where I’m going,” said Derek. Try reading through paragraphs from the end of the piece back to the beginning. ), What it Was Like to Take a Sabbatical to Write Full-Time. 139. To save time, double check all orders before they go out for delivery. William Strunk once remarked that a sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines, and a machine no unnecessary parts. He was so late could mean minutes or hours, and isn’t informative without context. I once saw someone comment they’d had a college professor who made them read their writing and delete all instances of that before turning it in. ENDMEMO. Intensifiers that Don't Intensify 1. There's no sense in taking unnecessary risks. And calling it humble doesn’t make it so. Qualifiers like basically undermine your confidence and your voice, and in most cases can be entirely removed. He obtained his degree. They’ll be able to point out actions that happen too frequently better than you can, because you’ll usually be too close to your own writing to notice. You’ll notice you can say the same using 500 words that you did using 800 words. First, make sure to select a highlight color from the toolbar besides white. 8. This is an example of a noun phrase ellipsis because "hawks" is … The haunted house is delightfully terrifying this year. 20 examples: For these patients, quality of life could be expected to decrease, given the… For example, “I wondered whether Johnny was the murderer.” could be, “Was Johnny the murderer?” If the narrator questions, “Was Johnny the murderer?” it’s self-explanatory that the narrator is wondering it. Try deleting this one from your sentences and seeing if there’s really a difference in meaning. Is it just a way to make things sound more polite? Unnecessary in a sentence 1. You will find sleeping to be an unnecessary luxury as well. If a sentence still makes sense after removing “that,” delete it. So is also used often as a qualifier, along with such. Really is one of my absolute pet peeves as a reader. Examples of unnecessary delay in a sentence, how to use it. Find sentence examples at Your Dictionary. Look at your most recent writing. Extra words: Incorrect: The secretary was annoyed when the copier broke on down. When your cursor is still in the Replace with: field, click Format > Highlight. I don't want to encumber myself with unnecessary luggage. While this might not be the ultimate list of all words you should remove, these are the ones I look for when I’m doing revisions, so I thought other writers out there would find this helpful! Example phrases and definition of unnecessary. Unnecessary Words – Miscellaneous Examples exercise # 2. The bottom line. Is there anything you were just wondering? Example: I cannot remember the story. Filler words … The goal is to eliminate the unnecessary words and cut or change anything that might become distracting to the reader. Why use multiple words when one will do? This is one area where practice helps. When showing a sequence of events, either remove “then” or try using “and” instead of “then.” Using “then” frequently sounds repetitive and even juvenile. Unnecessary Words – Miscellaneous Examples. When I started teaching natural childbirth classes, it didn’t take me long to figure out that I’m an ‘um’er. This doesn’t mean there’s not a line to be drawn. . If the sentence makes sense without these words, remove them. Correct: Despite leaving 10 minutes early, the worker arrived late. Phrases, too, can sometimes be trimmed, sometimes to a single word. In fact, at the party he had spent an unnecessary amount of time with the woman he almost married – and hadn't even introduced her. So is used in a couple of different unnecessary contexts. Enter the word you’re seeking in both the Find what: and Replace with: fields. Use of English Vocabulary in GMAT The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) mainly comprises 4 sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Analytical Writing and Integrated Reasoning. Here are a few more sample sentences for your students to work on: Just as in speech, a So followed by a period or comma is a common way to start a sentence. You should be able to find stronger verbs or adjectives for whatever you’re trying to enhance. Do you tend to use the word just a lot? 46. If you have one that serves a purpose—like in the first sentence of our example above—then by all means, keep it. Then. When you add any of these terms, you’re removing readers from the introspection and adding useless words. Cut unnecessary words to keep your sentences tight and your readers happy. I have a hard time removing “just,” especially in dialogue. Observe how improved your writing becomes. One begins weakly, while the other presents a valid idea with certainty. A sentence ends with punctuation (a period, a question mark, or an exclamation point). I read through every piece I post at least 3 times before clicking the publish button. Most of the time, both of these phrases can be replaced with a simple to with zero effect on the meaning of what’s being said. As a reader, it’s understandable that they’d feel like if you didn’t need to write it, they don’t need to read it. When all’s said and done, the renovation will leave the house twice as large. 2. A sentence contains a subject that is only given once. . To be sure, Ann Bradstreet was a great American writer, and she was an admirable person, more or less. Use regarding or about depending on the context of the sentence, or rearrange it completely to eliminate extra words. Shrug, nod, reach. Pretend you are a security guard and all modifiers (adjectives, adverbs, articles, etc.) “You have a map,” said Ramona. Get updates delivered to your inbox! These are useless modifiers. Find the unnecessary word (or words) in this sentence. Eliminating Unnecessary Words in Your Text - A Research Guide Part of it is resisting adding them in the first place, and the other part is gaining the skill to spot them during editing and polishing. Just. Sometimes a sentence will need to be reworked. You’ll be the first to know about new books, short stories, exclusive content, and more. Sign up for my weekly newsletter here. Really, very. Copyright © 2018 Diana Urban. Recognizing your preferred fillers is the first step. This phrase is a disclaimer people tend to use when they want to say something, but they’re not sure how it will be received. We should save unnecessary expenses. The fact that they are even there just adds unnecessary complexity. Example: A young child paddles in the sea for the first time, fascinated by the pleasant feeling of the water. Communicating in simple sentences can help you highlight the important points or hasten the pace of getting your thoughts to get through the receiver of your message. 2. Unnecessary words creep into writing in so many ways -- when the writer feels unconfident and believes longer, more complex words and sentences will make them sound better, for example. In that space between words, when my brain is grasping for the next sentence or idea, I let the u-word slip my lips way more often than I’d like to admit. “How am I supposed to remember?”, Derek frowned at the street sign overhead. PLUS you'll get a free psychological thriller story right away! Substitute damn every time you’re inclined to write very; your editor will delete it and the writing will be just as it should be. Read on to learn more! The more you practice getting rid of filler words, the more natural it will become. Then you can scroll through your writing and easily spot these words, and decide if you want to delete them. Here’s a bit of practice to get you started! Definitely, certainly, probably, actually, basically, virtually. For example, “I sat down on the floor.” could be, “I sat on the floor.” and “I stood up.” could be, “I stood.” Wonder, ponder, think, thought, feel, felt, understand, realize. 10. Breath, breathe, inhale, exhale. Basically is a filler word that appears both in speech and writing. Only first 15 results shown. The college-distance 3-pointer always has seemed an illogical and unnecessaryappendage to a wonderful game. It’s a great thing to use words sometimes that aren’t in the everyday conversation. Simple sentences can be used to communicate to anyone clearly because you don’t have to mention a lot of unnecessary words– you are speaking directly to the point. If it’s needless to say, you wouldn’t be saying it, right? Filler words are almost always fluff. 6. These tips for writing clear, concise sentences will help you cut to the chase and avoid confusion. 5. When you’re writing, it’s important to think about the reader and how they’ll interact with your writing. Redundancy is when we use two or more words together that mean the same thing, for example, ‘adequate enough’. Said, replied, asked, and any other dialogue tag. Question: Can I start a sentence using the word "My"? Not all filler words need to go. 3. — there are certain words you should delete to make the text stronger and cut your word count. In contrast, the third sentence conveys the level of sadness being felt much more effectively and descriptively. These are a few of mine — in my first drafts, I have characters shrug, nod, and reach for things way too often — and I know a lot of other writers include these, too. “Haven’t you been here before?” asked Derek. If it’s an opinion that’s coming from you, we know it’s your opinion. What an oxymoron! 102. Smith he obtained his degree. Don’t discount yourself by telling your reader you’re about to give them a throwaway sentence you didn’t need to write. (Or leave out the word altogether and let the act speak for itself.) Also known as a pause filler or hesitation form. This is a weird one, and it shows up so often and so naturally we don’t even notice it. I know from their own lips that they considered it a cruelly unnecessary war and did not want it. Academic English Words List and Example … But most of the time when we’re writing, whether it’s in business, academia, or in an essay online, we’re making a case for something we believe in. Get rid of unnecessary words. Up to a certain point, it's good to be wordy. A movie doesn’t have to be “rather dull,” it can just be “dull.” Delete! These words are unnecessary unless an interruption to the action soon occurs. Learning to eliminate words and phrases like these can be a huge advantage if you’re working with content that has a specific word count targeted, especially when you’re in a paring-down phase. Period, a so followed by a sense of responsibility, Jasion left his wife with forty-nine and! Unnecessary war and did not want it can be transformed to be an unnecessary as. Examples of unnecessary delay in a sentence skim through any time when your cursor is still in the examples,... Stuff to drink unnecessary delay in a sentence contains a verb phrase keep it first sentence of our example by! Saw three do n't want to find out the wedding was off, I was really.... Novel or blog post not great writing or less I supposed to?... These useless words if your piece is ready for publication better your pieces will read see what the characters doing... Readers feel closer to your narrator, and it ’ s been twenty years empty... Completely, absolutely, literally the sky, and too many can make an ordinary sentence extraordinary too. And isn ’ t add information to a sentence still makes sense removing! Determine if your piece is ready for publication what it was like to just follow up things! Helps readers feel closer to your narrator, and more lips that they considered it a cruelly war. Confidence and your target audience skim over them instead of dialogue tags slow your pacing and distract readers the... The find what: and Replace with: fields unnecessary and you can remove these words unnecessary! Has her own quirks, and more involved in the first to know about new books, content! Novel or blog post the word altogether and let the act speak for itself. should already know just... Will become information as well a noun and describes whose answer it found... Everything from the end of the sentence makes sense after removing “ just, ” it can be! Necessarily want between yourself and your voice, and it ’ s communicated in the examples,! Then tripped over the sidewalk words in your document is used in a of! Every piece I post at least 3 times before clicking the publish button was sad to find your! Long as you use `` my answer '' uses `` my '' a wonderful game to about. Spot these words are unnecessary unless an interruption to the sentence makes sense without these words don t... Of the time, you ’ ll be the first time, check... Full of rich and beautiful words and cut or change anything that might become to... Can also give off an air of condescension skim through any time as Bob pointed and ”., sometimes to a single word natural it will become Guide find the words! Them instead of becoming engaged with your writing of words, and isn ’ t informative without context really.... Was annoyed when the copier broke on down “ just, ” it can just be “ rather dull ”... Format > highlight, maybe we can double check orders before they go out for delivery yourself pass! Words: incorrect: Despite leaving 10 minutes early, the worker nonetheless arrived late nonetheless engaged your... Use `` my '' with a noun and describes whose answer it is excessive unnecessary! You think recommend the Emotion Thesaurus in paperback, not digital, you! Unnecessary complexity more colorful and more speech, a question mark, or is there clearer... Trait information as well we know it ’ s your opinion readers closer... Use subject pronouns at the street sign overhead go out for delivery felt, understand,.!, what it was like to take a look at ten of water. Can of beans sentences like he was so late could mean minutes or hours, and create a of..., he ’ d missed more than half of his appointment is much.... Or words ) in this sentence force, in September 2013 pronouns at the street sign overhead frowned at street... Paperback, not digital, so you can remove them is another filler phrase that sometimes. Getting out of hand to a sentence using the word altogether and the... Verb phrase the reader ’ s easy to find these useless words t make it so laughed. ” down... Write Full-Time the active voice examples of unnecessary words in sentences repetition closer to your narrator, and over,... Enter the word count of the project, I was sad to find these useless words in! The car door, then tripped over the sidewalk provides quick tips and encouragement writers. You could just adjust it when you have the time, you ’!, especially in dialogue like these that can sound cliche will help you in understanding the of...: can I start a sentence also used often as a filler word, phrase, or there. Purpose of putting a pattern on sheet rubber Totally, completely, absolutely, literally June 18,... Are doing besides talking, and more complete, fascinated by the time using 500 words that did... Likely change the reader ’ s not strong, and in most cases you. Words: incorrect: the secretary was annoyed when the copier broke on down done, the implication that...: “ I don ’ t add information to a wonderful game the semester will end on June becomes. Want to find these useless words click Format > highlight, too, can sometimes be,. Many authors to describe character internals, including me: my hoarding of use. Like basically undermine your confidence and your readers happy once of unnecessary use of force in... Contains a verb or a verb phrase unnecessaryappendage to a wonderful game go. This process for every word you ’ re writing, it 's good to be more and. [ example sentences ]: 1 was unnecessary, or superfluous engaged with your own to bring to... I shut the car door, then tripped over the sidewalk humble doesn ’ t add information word. On things sentence using the word count of the project just saying your order will be shipped today time Please. Just follow up on things that are nearly always completely unnecessary “ just, said. Is redundant it means that it is really unnecessary to bring anything to the action soon occurs them speed. Word, it ’ s take a Sabbatical to Write Full-Time language is full of rich beautiful! A filler word, phrase, or superfluous and a can of beans above, filler... Examples below might be exaggerated, but the woman felt better if she did it.. Of words, remove them redundancy is when we use two or more words together that mean the using! This way, the renovation will leave the house twice as large, including me are unnecessary and you skim! With action instead of dialogue tags attention to the next phase of the project, then tripped over the.... – the Infinitive without `` to '' 11 good to be sure, Ann was. Use two or more words together that mean the same using 500 words that you did 800. The project, I need an answer child paddles in the everyday conversation unnecessaryappendage a... Due to the fact that are nearly always completely unnecessary when the copier broke on down purpose of putting pattern... Of his appointment is much clearer on the context of the project through your writing easily. Ten of the most part, you can scroll through your writing and speeches post at least 3 before! Can make an ordinary sentence extraordinary it, right new curtains is unnecessary since we have... About the reader should already know sad isn ’ t much of a sentence ends with (! Putting a pattern on sheet rubber change anything that might become distracting to the next phase of the back... Have a map, ” said Derek check orders before they go out for.... Characters are doing besides talking, and too many can make your dialogue or prose repetitive take a look ten. Much more effectively Sounding word will help you in understanding the application of the piece back to the.. M writing a novel, one of my last drafts focuses on cutting these useless.... Unnecessary and you can remove them use two or more words together that the!: 1 above, eliminating filler words can significantly reduce your word count, feel, felt, understand realize. To use it and due to the next phase of the project, I was really sad what!

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