Unnecessary Words and Phrases

Section 6.2.4

Unnecessary Words and Phrases

Make sure that each word and phrase in your sentences contributes to meaning and clarity. Try to avoid the twocommonly used constructions There is/are . . . andIt is . . . . Delete superfluous material when yourevise your first draft.

Weak

It is expected that by the year 2000, the Library ofCongress will have digitized 5 million books and images.

Improved

By the year 2000, the Library of Congress expects tohave digitized 5 million books and images.

Improved

There is an electronic Beowulf project at theBritish Library that is preserving the original manuscript ofthe 11th century Anglo-Saxon epic.

Improved

An electronic Beowulf project at the British Library ispreserving the original manuscript of the 11th century Anglo-Saxonepic.

--Richard Lipkin, "The Library That Isn't There," Science News

Weak

Are the detection systems and secondary containments periodicallyperformance testable to verify operability in the event that they are called uponto function? [A very long-winded way to ask a simple question.]

Improved

Can the detection systems and secondary containments be performance testedperiodically?

## Unnecessary Words and Phrases ##

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