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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 two commonly used constructions There is/are . . .  and It is . . . . Delete superfluous material when you revise your first draft.


Weak

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

Improved

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

Improved

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

Improved

An electronic Beowulf project at the British Library is preserving the original manuscript of the 11th century Anglo-Saxon epic.

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

Weak

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

Improved

Can the detection systems and secondary containments be performance tested periodically?


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## Unnecessary Words and Phrases ##
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