Effective Writing: Deadwood Phrases

Deadwood phrases are found in all types of writing. In technical writing they are to be avoided at all costs as documentation needs to be crisp, concise and accurate.

You can improve your writing by cutting these out and replacing them with better expressions.

The following is a list of the ‘most wanted’ culprits.

The "deadwood" is in bold; use the suggested term instead.

- a majority of -- most
- a sufficient amount of -- enough
- according to our data -- we find
- accordingly -- therefore, so
- after the conclusion of -- after
- along the lines of -- like
- as is the case -- as is true
- ascertain the location of -- find
- at such time as -- when
- at the present time -- now
- at this point in time -- now
- be deficient in -- lack
- be in a position to -- can, be able
- by a factor of two -- two times, double, twice
- by means of -- by
- come to a conclusion -- conclude
- despite the fact that -- although
- due to the fact that -- because
- during the time that -- while
- equally as well -- as well, equally well
- fewer in number -- fewer
- for the purpose of -- to, for
- for the reason that -- because
- for this reason -- thus, therefore
- give consideration to -- consider, examine
- give indication of -- show, indicate, suggest
- happen(s) to be -- am/is/are
- has been proved to be -- is
- if conditions are such that -- if
- in a number of -- several, many
- in all cases -- always
- in case -- if
- in close proximity to -- near
- in excess of -- more than
- in large measure -- largely
- in many cases -- often
- in most cases -- usually
- in no case -- never
- in order that -- so that
- in order to -- to
- in some cases -- sometimes
- in terms of -- in
- in the amount of -- for
- in the case of -- for
- in the event that -- if
- in the field of -- in
- in the near future -- soon
- in the neighborhood of -- near, about, nearly
- in the vicinity of -- near
- in this case -- here
- in view of the fact that -- because, since
- is capable of -- can
- is found to be -- is
- is in a position to -- can
- it has been found that -- (nothing)
- it has long been known that -- (nothing)
- it is a fact that -- (nothing)
- it is evident that -- (nothing)
- it is interesting to note that -- note that
- it is noted that -- (nothing)
- it is our opinion that -- we think
- it is possible that -- perhaps
- it is well known that -- (nothing)
- it may be said that -- (nothing)
- make inquiry regarding -- ask about, inquire about
- manner in which -- how
- not with standing the fact that -- although
- on the basis of -- from, because, by
- on the order of -- about, approximately
- present in greater abundance -- more abundant
- prior to -- before
- provided that -- if
- put an end to -- end
- reach a conclusion -- conclude
- serves the function of being -- is
- subsequent to -- after
- the question as to -- whether
- there can be little doubt that -- probably
- utilize or utilization -- use
- with reference to -- about
- with the exception that -- except that

Deadwood is also found in excessively wordy writing. In other words, where writers use two or three words when one will suffice.

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