ClearTips: Edit yourself
Superfluous verbs
There are two classes of superfluous verb. One is an array
of pretenders—idle, common verbs that supplant a working verb, which becomes
a noun: such verbs as do, have, is, make,
provide, and serve.
do a study of the effects |
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study the effects |
have a tendency to
|
CHANGE TO
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tend to |
is indicative of |
CHANGE TO
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indicates |
make changes in
|
CHANGE TO
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change |
make decisions about |
CHANGE TO
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decide on |
make progress toward |
CHANGE TO
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progress toward |
provide a summary of
|
CHANGE TO
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summarize |
serve to make reductions |
CHANGE TO
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reduce |
This formula changes the objective noun to
a verb and displaces the pretender. Take care, however, not to be too
zealous in applying this formula, or you will end up with such artificial
verbs as prioritize, concretize, or incentivize.
The second class of superfluous verb is found
in clauses that modify nouns. Such verbs, along with the pronouns and
helping verbs that precede them, can often be deleted.
the ice that is contained in |
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the ice in |
the people who are concerned are |
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the people are |
the argument that is included in |
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the argument in |
the tasks that are involved in |
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the tasks in |
the people who are located in |
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the people in |
the numbers shown in |
CHANGE TO
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the numbers in |
the estimates presented in |
CHANGE TO
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the estimates in |
the facts given in |
CHANGE TO
|
the facts in |
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