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VIEW TODAY'S EXERCISES

 

 

 

   

"Making Sentences More Concise" Exercises

             Each exercise will give you specific instructions regarding the number of words which should be eliminated from the sample sentence. Using a sheet of paper, reduce the sentence according to the instructions. Then scroll down your screen to see the possible answer. Your goal is to complete ten exercises in a row, or until you feel comfortable making sentences more concise.

Exercise 1: Eliminate any redundancies

Eliminate any redundancies in the following sentence.

Redundant: John was employed and now works for the company Levis Strauss.

Revised: John now works for the company Levis Strauss. ("Now works for" implies that he was hired.)

Redundant: Helen is a smart and intelligent woman.

Revised: Helen is a smart woman. ("Smart" and "intelligent" have the same meaning.)

Knowing how to conduct an effective job interview, Hiroko is a cunning and clever woman. (Reduce from 15 to 13 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: Knowing how to conduct an effective job interview, Hiroko is a cunning woman.

 

 

Exercise 2: Avoid unnecessary repetition of words

Eliminate any unnecessary repetition of words in the following sentence:

Repetitious: Our student is a physically ill student today.

Revised: Our student is physically ill today.

The job tasks given to me is to perform the task of cleaning the kitchen, mopping the bathroom floor and straightening the living room. (Reduce from 24 to 19 words)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: The job given to me is to clean the kitchen, mop the bathroom floor and straighten the living room.

Exercise 3: Get rid of empty or inflated phrases

Eliminate empty or inflated phrases in the following sentence. As appropriate, substitute a more concise word for the inflated phrase in the sentence.

Empty phrase: It is my opinion that abortion should be outlawed.

Revised: Abortion should be outlawed.

Inflated phrase: In the event that there is an earthquake, you should hide underneath your desk until the shaking stops.

Revised: If there is an earthquake, you should hide underneath your desk until the shaking stops.

I will complete my research paper in a period of a week. (Reduce from 12 to 9 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: I will complete my research paper in a week.

Exercise 4: Reduce clauses to phrases and phrases to single words

Reduce the following sentence from a clause to a phrase or from a phrase to a word. Change word order as necessary.

Wordy: We visited Washington D.C., which is the capital of the United States.

Concise: We visited Washington D.C., the capital of the United States. (Adjective clause has been reduced to an appositive phrase.)

Wordy: John’s stylish boots, made of crocodile skin, cost him an arm and a leg.

Concise: John’s stylish crocodile skin boots cost him an arm and a leg. (Participle phrase has been reduced to two words.)

William Jefferson Clinton, who was formerly the President of the United States, now has a job with a private company. (Reduce from 20 to 18 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: William Jefferson Clinton, formerly the President of the United States, now has a job with a private company.

 

Exercise 5: Using active verbs

Eliminate the "be" verb in this sentence to more descriptively state the action of the subject.

Wordy: Not listening to my father’s pleas to attend class, I was rebellious.

Concise: Not listening to my father’s pleas to attend class, I rebelled.

The doctor was examining the patient for symptoms of a rare form of liver cancer. (Reduce from 15 to 14 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: The doctor examined the patient for symptoms of a rare form of liver cancer.

 

 

Exercise 6: Eliminate any redundancies

Eliminate any redundancies in the following sentence.

Redundant: John was employed and now works for the company Levis Strauss.

Revised: John now works for the company Levis Strauss. ("Now works for" implies that he was hired.)

Redundant: Helen is a smart and intelligent woman.

Revised: Helen is a smart woman. ("Smart" and "intelligent" have the same meaning.)

Susan is the teacher who teaches Chemistry at her High School. (Reduce from 11 to7 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: Susan is a high school Chemistry teacher.

 

 

Exercise 7: Avoid unnecessary repetition of words

Eliminate any unnecessary repetition of words in the following sentence:

Repetitious: Our student is a physically ill student today.

Revised: Our student is physically ill today.

The student is writing a writing assignment for his English Composition class. (Reduce from 12 to 7 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: The student completes an English Composition assignment.

 

Exercise 8: Get rid of empty or inflated phrases

Eliminate empty or inflated phrases in the following sentence. As appropriate, substitute a more concise word for the inflated phrase in the sentence.

Empty phrase: It is my opinion that abortion should be outlawed.

Revised: Abortion should be outlawed.

Inflated phrase: In the event that there is an earthquake, you should hide underneath your desk until the shaking stops.

Revised: If there is an earthquake, you should hide underneath your desk until the shaking stops.

To succeed it is important to be along the lines of your friend. In other words, you should be a hard worker. (Reduce from 22 to 19 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: To succeed it is important to be like your friend. In other words, you should be a hard worker.

 

Exercise 9: Reduce clauses to phrases and phrases to single words

Reduce the following sentence from a clause to a phrase or from a phrase to a word. Change word order as necessary.

Wordy: We visited Washington D.C., which is the capital of the United States.

Concise: We visited Washington D.C., the capital of the United States. (Adjective clause has been reduced to an appositive phrase.)

Wordy: John’s stylish boots, made of crocodile skin, cost him an arm and a leg.

Concise: John’s stylish crocodile skin boots cost him an arm and a leg. (Participle phrase has been reduced to two words.)

The book which is located on the table is a Grammar book. (Reduce from 12 to 9 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: The book on the table is a Grammar book.

 

Exercise 10: Using active verbs

Eliminate the "be" verb in this sentence to more descriptively state the action of the subject.

Wordy: Not listening to my father’s pleas to attend class, I was rebellious.

Concise: Not listening to my father’s pleas to attend class, I rebelled.

When Ozzie Osborne got on stage, the audience became excited by his performance. (Reduce from 13 to 7 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: The performer, Ozzie Osborne, excited the audience.

 

 

 

Exercise 11: Eliminate any redundancies

Eliminate any redundancies in the following sentence.

Redundant: John was employed and now works for the company Levis Strauss.

Revised: John now works for the company Levis Strauss. ("Now works for" implies that he was hired.)

Redundant: Helen is a smart and intelligent woman.

Revised: Helen is a smart woman. ("Smart" and "intelligent" have the same meaning.)

She was in deep thought and contemplation about what happened. (Reduce from 10 to 4 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: She contemplated what happened.

 

 

 

Exercise 12: Avoid unnecessary repetition of words

Eliminate any unnecessary repetition of words in the following sentence:

Repetitious: Our student is a physically ill student today.

Revised: Our student is physically ill today.

Julius ran with the other runners in the 10,000 meter track event and finished third overall. (Reduce from 16 to 9 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: Julius finished third in the 10,000 meter track event.

Exercise 13: Get rid of empty or inflated phrases

Eliminate empty or inflated phrases in the following sentence. As appropriate, substitute a more concise word for the inflated phrase in the sentence.

Empty phrase: It is my opinion that abortion should be outlawed.

Revised: Abortion should be outlawed.

Inflated phrase: In the event that there is an earthquake, you should hide underneath your desk until the shaking stops.

Revised: If there is an earthquake, you should hide underneath your desk until the shaking stops.

In my opinion, I think that he should have been sentenced to death. (Reduce from 13 to 7 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: He should have been sentenced to death.

 

Exercise 14: Reduce clauses to phrases and phrases to single words

Reduce the following sentence from a clause to a phrase or from a phrase to a word. Change word order as necessary.

Wordy: We visited Washington D.C., which is the capital of the United States.

Concise: We visited Washington D.C., the capital of the United States. (Adjective clause has been reduced to an appositive phrase.)

Wordy: John’s stylish boots, made of crocodile skin, cost him an arm and a leg.

Concise: John’s stylish crocodile skin boots cost him an arm and a leg. (Participle phrase has been reduced to two words.)

Her purse, which was manufactured in Italy, was stolen yesterday. (Reduce from 10 to 6 words)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: Her Italian purse was stolen yesterday.

 

Exercise 15: Using active verbs

Eliminate the "be" verb in this sentence to more descriptively state the action of the subject.

Wordy: Not listening to my father’s pleas to attend class, I was rebellious.

Concise: Not listening to my father’s pleas to attend class, I rebelled.

Angela was exercising on the treadmill today. (Reduce from 7 to 6 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: Angela exercised on the treadmill today.

 

 

 

 

 

Exercise 16: Eliminate any redundancies

Eliminate any redundancies in the following sentence.

Redundant: John was employed and now works for the company Levis Strauss.

Revised: John now works for the company Levis Strauss. ("Now works for" implies that he was hired.)

Redundant: Helen is a smart and intelligent woman.

Revised: Helen is a smart woman. ("Smart" and "intelligent" have the same meaning.)

It will be a bright and sunny day at the beach. (Reduce from11 to 7 words.)

Possible answer: It will be sunny at the beach.

 

Exercise 17: Avoid unnecessary repetition of words

Eliminate any unnecessary repetition of words in the following sentence:

Repetitious: Our student is a physically ill student today.

Revised: Our student is physically ill today.

Regretting what happened, she is deeply sorry for what happened. (Reduce from 10 to 6 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: She is sorry for what happened.

Exercise 18: Get rid of empty or inflated phrases

Eliminate empty or inflated phrases in the following sentence. As appropriate, substitute a more concise word for the inflated phrase in the sentence.

Empty phrase: It is my opinion that abortion should be outlawed.

Revised: Abortion should be outlawed.

Inflated phrase: In the event that there is an earthquake, you should hide underneath your desk until the shaking stops.

Revised: If there is an earthquake, you should hide underneath your desk until the shaking stops.

Until such time that our professor gets released from the hospital, we will not have class. (Reduce from 16 to 13 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: Until our professor gets released from the hospital, we will not have class.

 

Exercise 19: Reduce clauses to phrases and phrases to single words

Reduce the following sentence from a clause to a phrase or from a phrase to a word. Change word order as necessary.

Wordy: We visited Washington D.C., which is the capital of the United States.

Concise: We visited Washington D.C., the capital of the United States. (Adjective clause has been reduced to an appositive phrase.)

Wordy: John’s stylish boots, made of crocodile skin, cost him an arm and a leg.

Concise: John’s stylish crocodile skin boots cost him an arm and a leg. (Participle phrase has been reduced to two words.)

Frankie Jones, who is the student who is taking Psychology 100, is a senior in college. (Reduce from 16 to 11 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: Frankie Jones, the student taking Psychology 100, is a college senior.

 

 

Exercise 20: Using active verbs

Eliminate the "be" verb in this sentence to more descriptively state the action of the subject.

Wordy: Not listening to my father’s pleas to attend class, I was rebellious.

Concise: Not listening to my father’s pleas to attend class, I rebelled.

Steve was given a warning by the police officer. (Reduce from 9 to 5 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: The police officer warned Steve.

 

 

Exercise 21: Eliminate any redundancies

Eliminate any redundancies in the following sentence.

Redundant: John was employed and now works for the company Levis Strauss.

Revised: John now works for the company Levis Strauss. ("Now works for" implies that he was hired.)

Redundant: Helen is a smart and intelligent woman.

Revised: Helen is a smart woman. ("Smart" and "intelligent" have the same meaning.)

He works hard completing his job assignments. (Reduce from 7 to 6 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: He works hard at his job.

 

 

 

Exercise 22: Avoid unnecessary repetition of words

Eliminate any unnecessary repetition of words in the following sentence:

Repetitious: Our student is a physically ill student today.

Revised: Our student is physically ill today.

A student needs to have perseverance, endurance and a desire to see things through. (Reduce from 14 to 4 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: A student should persevere.

 

Exercise 23: Get rid of empty or inflated phrases

Eliminate empty or inflated phrases in the following sentence. As appropriate, substitute a more concise word for the inflated phrase in the sentence.

Empty phrase: It is my opinion that abortion should be outlawed.

Revised: Abortion should be outlawed.

Inflated phrase: In the event that there is an earthquake, you should hide underneath your desk until the shaking stops.

Revised: If there is an earthquake, you should hide underneath your desk until the shaking stops.

It is inappropriate for men to flirt with persons of the female gender if they are married. (Reduce from 17 to 7 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: Married men should not flirt with women.

 

Exercise 24: Reduce clauses to phrases and phrases to single words

Reduce the following sentence from a clause to a phrase or from a phrase to a word. Change word order as necessary.

Wordy: We visited Washington D.C., which is the capital of the United States.

Concise: We visited Washington D.C., the capital of the United States. (Adjective clause has been reduced to an appositive phrase.)

Wordy: John’s stylish boots, made of crocodile skin, cost him an arm and a leg.

Concise: John’s stylish crocodile skin boots cost him an arm and a leg. (Participle phrase has been reduced to two words.)

While I was at the department store, I bought a jacket made of leather. (Reduce from 14 to 9 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: At the department store, I bought a leather jacket.

 

Exercise 25: Using active verbs

Eliminate the "be" verb in this sentence to more descriptively state the action of the subject.

Wordy: Not listening to my father’s pleas to attend class, I was rebellious.

Concise: Not listening to my father’s pleas to attend class, I rebelled.

The students were listening to the professor’s lecture. (Reduce from 8 to 7 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: The students listened to the professor’s lecture.

 

 

Exercise 26: Eliminate any redundancies

Eliminate any redundancies in the following sentence.

Redundant: John was employed and now works for the company Levis Strauss.

Revised: John now works for the company Levis Strauss. ("Now works for" implies that he was hired.)

Redundant: Helen is a smart and intelligent woman.

Revised: Helen is a smart woman. ("Smart" and "intelligent" have the same meaning.)

I want you to straighten and clean the room so that everything is clean. (Reduce from 14 to 4 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: Please clean the room.

 

 

 

Exercise 27: Avoid unnecessary repetition of words

Eliminate any unnecessary repetition of words in the following sentence:

Repetitious: Our student is a physically ill student today.

Revised: Our student is physically ill today.

It is a very hot day today outside. (Reduce from 8 to 4 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: It is hot today.

 

 

 

Exercise 28: Get rid of empty or inflated phrases

Eliminate empty or inflated phrases in the following sentence. As appropriate, substitute a more concise word for the inflated phrase in the sentence.

Empty phrase: It is my opinion that abortion should be outlawed.

Revised: Abortion should be outlawed.

Inflated phrase: In the event that there is an earthquake, you should hide underneath your desk until the shaking stops.

Revised: If there is an earthquake, you should hide underneath your desk until the shaking stops.

Finally, the negotiators arrived at an agreement with the terrorists. (Reduce from 10 to 7.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: Finally, the negotiators and the terrorists agreed.

Exercise 29: Reduce clauses to phrases and phrases to single words

 

Reduce the following sentence from a clause to a phrase or from a phrase to a word. Change word order as necessary.

Wordy: We visited Washington D.C., which is the capital of the United States.

Concise: We visited Washington D.C., the capital of the United States. (Adjective clause has been reduced to an appositive phrase.)

Wordy: John’s stylish boots, made of crocodile skin, cost him an arm and a leg.

Concise: John’s stylish crocodile skin boots cost him an arm and a leg. (Participle phrase has been reduced to two words.)

The homeowners who live on Jackson Street will have to park on a different street while their street is resurfaced. (Reduce from 20 to 15 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: The Jackson Street homeowners will park on a different street while their street is resurfaced.

 

 

Exercise 30: Using active verbs

Eliminate the "be" verb in this sentence to more descriptively state the action of the subject.

Wordy: Not listening to my father’s pleas to attend class, I was rebellious.

Concise: Not listening to my father’s pleas to attend class, I rebelled.

Carol was ice-skating on a frozen lake. (Reduce from 7 to 6 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: Carol ice-skated on a frozen lake.

 

 

Exercise 31: Eliminate any redundancies

Eliminate any redundancies in the following sentence.

Redundant: John was employed and now works for the company Levis Strauss.

Revised: John now works for the company Levis Strauss. ("Now works for" implies that he was hired.)

Redundant: Helen is a smart and intelligent woman.

Revised: Helen is a smart woman. ("Smart" and "intelligent" have the same meaning.)

The skin of a turtle is durable and long-lasting. (Reduce from 9 to 4 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: Turtle skin is durable.

 

 

Exercise 32: Avoid unnecessary repetition of words

Eliminate any unnecessary repetition of words in the following sentence:

Repetitious: Our student is a physically ill student today.

Revised: Our student is physically ill today.

The soldiers fired and shot artillery at the enemy. (Reduce from 9 to 7.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: The soldiers shot artillery at the enemy.

Exercise 33: Get rid of empty or inflated phrases

Eliminate empty or inflated phrases in the following sentence. As appropriate, substitute a more concise word for the inflated phrase in the sentence.

Empty phrase: It is my opinion that abortion should be outlawed.

Revised: Abortion should be outlawed.

Inflated phrase: In the event that there is an earthquake, you should hide underneath your desk until the shaking stops.

Revised: If there is an earthquake, you should hide underneath your desk until the shaking stops.

I think that the government taxes its citizens too much. (Reduce from 10 to 6 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: The government taxes its citizens excessively.

 

Exercise 34: Reduce clauses to phrases and phrases to single words

Reduce the following sentence from a clause to a phrase or from a phrase to a word. Change word order as necessary.

Wordy: We visited Washington D.C., which is the capital of the United States.

Concise: We visited Washington D.C., the capital of the United States. (Adjective clause has been reduced to an appositive phrase.)

Wordy: John’s stylish boots, made of crocodile skin, cost him an arm and a leg.

Concise: John’s stylish crocodile skin boots cost him an arm and a leg. (Participle phrase has been reduced to two words.)

The man who was talking to the professor will not be able to take the quiz next week. (Reduce from 18 to 12 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: The man talking to the professor will not take next week’s quiz.

Exercise 35: Using active verbs

Eliminate the "be" verb in this sentence to more descriptively state the action of the subject.

Wordy: Not listening to my father’s pleas to attend class, I was rebellious.

Concise: Not listening to my father’s pleas to attend class, I rebelled.

The patient was being examined by the doctor. (Reduce from 8 to 5 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: The doctor examined the patient.

 

 

 

 

Exercise 36: Eliminate any redundancies

Eliminate any redundancies in the following sentence.

Redundant: John was employed and now works for the company Levis Strauss.

Revised: John now works for the company Levis Strauss. ("Now works for" implies that he was hired.)

Redundant: Helen is a smart and intelligent woman.

Revised: Helen is a smart woman. ("Smart" and "intelligent" have the same meaning.)

The teacher found an answer to the math problem by writing it up on the blackboard. (Reduce from 16 to 9 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: The teacher solved the math problem on the blackboard.

 

Exercise 37: Avoid unnecessary repetition of words

Eliminate any unnecessary repetition of words in the following sentence:

Repetitious: Our student is a physically ill student today.

Revised: Our student is physically ill today.

The supervisor has made a demand of insisting that all employees work one hour of overtime each week. (Reduce from 18 to 11 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: The supervisor requires employees to work one hour of overtime weekly.

 

Exercise 38: Get rid of empty or inflated phrases

Eliminate empty or inflated phrases in the following sentence. As appropriate, substitute a more concise word for the inflated phrase in the sentence.

Empty phrase: It is my opinion that abortion should be outlawed.

Revised: Abortion should be outlawed.

Inflated phrase: In the event that there is an earthquake, you should hide underneath your desk until the shaking stops.

Revised: If there is an earthquake, you should hide underneath your desk until the shaking stops.

I am of the opinion that attending class by students should be optional. (Reduce from 13 to 5 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: Class attendance should be optional.

 

 

 

Exercise 39: Reduce clauses to phrases and phrases to single words

Reduce the following sentence from a clause to a phrase or from a phrase to a word. Change word order as necessary.

Wordy: We visited Washington D.C., which is the capital of the United States.

Concise: We visited Washington D.C., the capital of the United States. (Adjective clause has been reduced to an appositive phrase.)

Wordy: John’s stylish boots, made of crocodile skin, cost him an arm and a leg.

Concise: John’s stylish crocodile skin boots cost him an arm and a leg. (Participle phrase has been reduced to two words.)

The silk blouse that Mary bought was imported from Italy. (Reduce from 10 to 7 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: Mary bought an imported silk Italian blouse.

 

 

Exercise 40: Using active verbs

Eliminate the "be" verb in this sentence to more descriptively state the action of the subject.

Wordy: Not listening to my father’s pleas to attend class, I was rebellious.

Concise: Not listening to my father’s pleas to attend class, I rebelled.

The Boy Scouts were soliciting donations in the neighborhood. (Reduce from 9 to 8 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: The Boy Scouts solicited donations in the neighborhood.

 

 

Exercise 41: Eliminate any redundancies

Eliminate any redundancies in the following sentence.

Redundant: John was employed and now works for the company Levis Strauss.

Revised: John now works for the company Levis Strauss. ("Now works for" implies that he was hired.)

Redundant: Helen is a smart and intelligent woman.

Revised: Helen is a smart woman. ("Smart" and "intelligent" have the same meaning.)

Professor Wong adamantly insisted that all students complete the research paper by next class. (Reduce from 14 to 12 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: Professor Wong insisted that students complete the research paper by next class.

 

Exercise 42: Avoid unnecessary repetition of words

Eliminate any unnecessary repetition of words in the following sentence:

Repetitious: Our student is a physically ill student today.

Revised: Our student is physically ill today.

She drove her car to school. (Reduce from 6 to 4 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: She drove to school.

Exercise 43: Get rid of empty or inflated phrases

Eliminate empty or inflated phrases in the following sentence. As appropriate, substitute a more concise word for the inflated phrase in the sentence.

Empty phrase: It is my opinion that abortion should be outlawed.

Revised: Abortion should be outlawed.

Inflated phrase: In the event that there is an earthquake, you should hide underneath your desk until the shaking stops.

Revised: If there is an earthquake, you should hide underneath your desk until the shaking stops.

As you are already aware, Steven will have to resign from our company. (Reduce from 13 to 8 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: As you know, Steven will have to resign.

Exercise 44: Reduce clauses to phrases and phrases to single words

 

Reduce the following sentence from a clause to a phrase or from a phrase to a word. Change word order as necessary.

Wordy: We visited Washington D.C., which is the capital of the United States.

Concise: We visited Washington D.C., the capital of the United States. (Adjective clause has been reduced to an appositive phrase.)

Wordy: John’s stylish boots, made of crocodile skin, cost him an arm and a leg.

Concise: John’s stylish crocodile skin boots cost him an arm and a leg. (Participle phrase has been reduced to two words.)

The house made of red brick was sold for a price of $150,000. (Reduce from 13 to 7 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: The red brick house sold for $150,000.

Exercise 45: Using active verbs

Eliminate the "be" verb in this sentence to more descriptively state the action of the subject.

Wordy: Not listening to my father’s pleas to attend class, I was rebellious.

Concise: Not listening to my father’s pleas to attend class, I rebelled.

The runners were quickly running down the street. (Reduce from 8 to 6 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: The runners sprinted down the street.

 

Exercise 46: Eliminate any redundancies

Eliminate any redundancies in the following sentence.

Redundant: John was employed and now works for the company Levis Strauss.

Revised: John now works for the company Levis Strauss. ("Now works for" implies that he was hired.)

Redundant: Helen is a smart and intelligent woman.

Revised: Helen is a smart woman. ("Smart" and "intelligent" have the same meaning.)

Teresa earned a lot of money at her job with Johnson and Johnson. (Reduce from 13 to 9 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: Teresa had a lucrative job with Johnson and Johnson.

 

 

Exercise 47: Avoid unnecessary repetition of words

Eliminate any unnecessary repetition of words in the following sentence:

Repetitious: Our student is a physically ill student today.

Revised: Our student is physically ill today.

John, who was in an intense argument with his mother, yelled and screamed loudly at the top of his voice. (Reduce from 20 to 5 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: John yelled at his mother.

 

Exercise 48: Get rid of empty or inflated phrases

Eliminate empty or inflated phrases in the following sentence. As appropriate, substitute a more concise word for the inflated phrase in the sentence.

Empty phrase: It is my opinion that abortion should be outlawed.

Revised: Abortion should be outlawed.

Inflated phrase: In the event that there is an earthquake, you should hide underneath your desk until the shaking stops.

Revised: If there is an earthquake, you should hide underneath your desk until the shaking stops.

You should do your homework on a daily basis. (Reduce from 9 to 6 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: You should do your homework daily.

 

Exercise 49: Reduce clauses to phrases and phrases to single words

 

Reduce the following sentence from a clause to a phrase or from a phrase to a word. Change word order as necessary.

Wordy: We visited Washington D.C., which is the capital of the United States.

Concise: We visited Washington D.C., the capital of the United States. (Adjective clause has been reduced to an appositive phrase.)

Wordy: John’s stylish boots, made of crocodile skin, cost him an arm and a leg.

Concise: John’s stylish crocodile skin boots cost him an arm and a leg. (Participle phrase has been reduced to two words.)

The television in the living room will need to be repaired. (Reduce from 11 to 6 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: The living room television needs repair.

 

Exercise 50: Using active verbs

Eliminate the "be" verb in this sentence to more descriptively state the action of the subject.

Wordy: Not listening to my father’s pleas to attend class, I was rebellious.

Concise: Not listening to my father’s pleas to attend class, I rebelled.

The neighbors were deafened by the low flying jet. (Reduce from 9 to 7 words.)

Possible answer: The low flying jet deafened the neighbors.

 

 

Exercise 51: Eliminate any redundancies

Eliminate any redundancies in the following sentence.

Redundant: John was employed and now works for the company Levis Strauss.

Revised: John now works for the company Levis Strauss. ("Now works for" implies that he was hired.)

Redundant: Helen is a smart and intelligent woman.

Revised: Helen is a smart woman. ("Smart" and "intelligent" have the same meaning.)

You should really think about the reason why you decided to drop your Math class last week. (Reduce from 17 to 9 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: Why did you drop your Math class last week?

 

 

Exercise 52: Avoid unnecessary repetition of words

Eliminate any unnecessary repetition of words in the following sentence:

Repetitious: Our student is a physically ill student today.

Revised: Our student is physically ill today.

John has finished working on his homework assignment from his class. (Reduce from 11 to 4 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: John finished his homework.

Exercise 53: Get rid of empty or inflated phrases

Eliminate empty or inflated phrases in the following sentence. As appropriate, substitute a more concise word for the inflated phrase in the sentence.

Empty phrase: It is my opinion that abortion should be outlawed.

Revised: Abortion should be outlawed.

Inflated phrase: In the event that there is an earthquake, you should hide underneath your desk until the shaking stops.

Revised: If there is an earthquake, you should hide underneath your desk until the shaking stops.

You should plan ahead for your future retirement. (Reduce from 8 to 5 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: You should plan your retirement.

 

 

Exercise 54: Reduce clauses to phrases and phrases to single words

Reduce the following sentence from a clause to a phrase or from a phrase to a word. Change word order as necessary.

Wordy: We visited Washington D.C., which is the capital of the United States.

Concise: We visited Washington D.C., the capital of the United States. (Adjective clause has been reduced to an appositive phrase.)

Wordy: John’s stylish boots, made of crocodile skin, cost him an arm and a leg.

Concise: John’s stylish crocodile skin boots cost him an arm and a leg. (Participle phrase has been reduced to two words.)

The Psychology book, which comprises 379 pages, is a required textbook for the course. (Reduce from 14 to 7 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: The 379 page Psychology book is required.

 

 

 

Exercise 55: Using active verbs

Eliminate the "be" verb in this sentence to more descriptively state the action of the subject.

Wordy: Not listening to my father’s pleas to attend class, I was rebellious.

Concise: Not listening to my father’s pleas to attend class, I rebelled.

The mother was watching the baseball game in which her children were playing. (Reduce from 13 to 7 words.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Possible answer: The mother watched her children’s baseball game.

 

Exercise 56: Eliminate any redundancies

Eliminate any redundancies in the following sentence.

Redundant: John was employed and now works for