Time to Prune the Deadwood

When I was in college, I had a Sniglets word-a-day calendar (for those of you who don't know, a "sniglet" is a word that should be in the dictionary, but isn't). One of my favorite entries was "occuflation," referring to exaggerated résumé boastings. For example, "sharpening pencils" would become "maintenance of office supplies;" "Corresponding Secretary" would become "E-Mail Transport Engineer." In writing, we refer to overblown, useless phrases as "deadwood." They pop up often when a writer wants to sound impressive, but really has nothing of substance to say. Watch for the following common deadwood phrases, and be sure to replace them with the trimmed-down suggestions that follow:

• at this point in time -- now
• be deficient in -- lack
• be in a position to -- can, be able
• subsequent to -- after
• there can be little doubt that -- probably
• after the conclusion of -- after
• utilize or utilization -- use
• with reference to -- about
• a sufficient amount of -- enough
• along the lines of -- like
• ascertain the location of -- find
• at such time as -- when
• due to the fact that -- because
• during the time that -- while
• fewer in number -- fewer
• reach a conclusion -- conclude
• serves the function of being -- is
• in most cases -- usually
• in order to -- to
• in the event that -- if
• in the vicinity of -- near
• in light of the fact that -- because
• in my opinion, I feel -- I feel
• is capable of -- can
• manner in which -- how
• not with standing the fact that -- although
• put an end to -- end
• for the purpose of -- to, for
• give consideration to -- consider
• if conditions are such that -- if
• in close proximity to -- near
• in excess of -- more than

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