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.

Software Development Templates

Examples of Poor Writing

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

User Guide Templates

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.

Software Testing Templates

Your Thoughts?

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