! and#h>use sparingly to begin a sentence\
*est possible extent#l>use "completely," "fully," or "totally"
*s apparent that#l>use "apparently"\
*s clear that#l>use "clearly"\
*s evident that#l>use "evidently"\
. and#h>use sparingly to begin a sentence\
. as yet#h>use sparingly to begin a sentence
? and#h>use sparingly to begin a sentence\
a crying shame#h>use "unfortunate" or "tragic"
a different breed#h>different
a far cry#h>far
a foregone conclusion#o>inevitable
a great deal of#l>much\
a half a#i>half a\
a half an#i>half an\
a majority of the#l>use "most"
a matter of life and death#h>use "important" or "urgent"
a number of#l>use "most," "many," "several," "some," or "few"\
a percentage of#l>use "many," "some," or "few," or specify the percentage
a preference for#l>use "prefer"\
a proportion of#l>use "many," "some," or "few," or specify the percentage
a sufficient number of#l>enough\
absolutely complete#r>complete
absolutely essential#r>essential
accompanying#o>use "enclosed" for letters\
activate#o>"begin" or "start"
activated#o>"began" or "begun," or "started"
activates#o>"begins" or "starts"
activating#o>"beginning" or "starting"
active consideration#l>consideration
actual experience#r>experience
actual fact#r>fact
actual facts#r>facts
actually#v>use this word sparingly\
add* the point that#l>omit "the point"
adequate enough#r>adequate
adumbrate#o>"outline" or "sketch"
adumbrated#o>"outlined" or "sketched"
adumbrates#o>"outlines" or "sketches"
adumbrating#o>"outlining" or "sketching"
advert#m>this (pompously) means "allude"; "avert" means "prevent"
adverted#m>this (pompously) means "alluded"; "averted" means "prevented"
adverting#m>this (pompously) means "alluding"; "averting" is "preventing"
adverts#m>this (pompously) means "alludes"; "averts" means "prevents"
affect#m>this (verb) means "influence"; "effect" means "bring about"
affects#m>this (verb) means "influences"; "effects" is "brings about"
affirmative#j>avoid using this word as a substitute for "yes"
afford* an opportunity#o>use "allow" or "permit"
afoul#a>avoid this word, especially in the cliche "run afoul of"
after#9
after all has been said and done#h>after all\
after this is accomplished#o>then\
against#9
aggravate#m>this means "make worse," not "irritate"\
aggravated#m>this means "made worse," not "irritated"\
aggravates#m>this means "makes worse," not "irritates"\
aggravating#m>this means "making worse," not "irritating"\
aggregates#o>totals\
alibi#m>use "excuse" unless you mean the legal term\
all along the line#h>entirely
all of#l>all\
all ready#m>this means "prepared"; "already" means "by now"
all throughout#r>throughout
all together#m>this means "in a group"; "altogether" means "entirely"
all too soon#h>too soon
allude#m>this means "refer indirectly"; "elude" is "avoid" or "escape"
alluded#m>this means "referred indirectly"; "eluded" means "escaped"
alludes#m>this means "refers indirectly"; "eludes" means "escapes"
alluding#m>this means "referring indirectly"; "eluding" means "escaping"
allusion#m>this is an indirect reference; an illusion is a misperception
allusions#m>these are indirect references; illusions are misperceptions
along#9
along the line of#h>like
along the same line as#h>like
along these lines#h>use "like" or "similarly"
alternate#m>"alternative" is or affords a choice; "alternate" doesn't
altogether#m>this means "entirely"; "all together" means "in a group"
am *d#w
am *d#8
am not *d#w
am not *d#8
ameliorate#o>improve
ameliorated#o>improved
ameliorates#o>improves
ameliorating#o>improving
amelioration#o>improvement
among#9
among those present#o>present\
and etc.#r>etc.
and myself#u>use "and I" (as subject) or "and me" (as object)
and/or#k>this term is graceless and overused\
another additional#r>another
any and all#h>"any" or "all"
any body#m>use "anybody" if you mean "any person"
any one#m>use "anyone" if you mean "any single person"
apprise#o>inform
apprised#o>informed
apprises#o>informs
apprising#o>informing
approximately#m>this means "almost exactly," not "roughly"
are *d#w
are *d#8
are indicative of#o>"show" or "suggest"
are not *d#w
are not *d#8
are suggestive of#o>"suggest" or "imply"
are used to provide#l>provide
aren't *d#w
aren't *d#8
arriv* at a decision#o>use "decide"
arriv* at an approximation#l>use "approximate"
as * be seen from#l>use the active voice (e.g., "show")\
as a consequence of#o>because
as a matter of fact#h>omit, or use "in fact"\
as a method of#l>use "for" or "to"\
as against#l>against
as follow#u>"as follows" is correct even if more than one follow
as is the case#h>use "as happens" or "as occurs"
as of now#o>now
as of this date#j>today
as per#k>"as instructed by" or "as noted in"
as regards#o>"about" or "concerning"
as shown in#l>use the active voice (e.g., "show that")\
as the saying goes#h>omit this phrase\
as to#h>"about," "on," or "of"; "whether" replaces "as to whether"\
as was the case#h>as happened
as well as#l>use sparingly, or use "and" or "also" if that's what you mean\
as yet#l>yet
asap#h>Be specific.\
assist#o>help\
assistance#o>help\
assisted#o>helped\
assisting#o>helping\
assists#o>helps\
assuming that#l>if\
at#9
at a later date#j>use "later" or give the date
at a time when#l>when
at all times#l>always\
at an earlier date#j>"sooner" or "earlier"
at an early date#j>"soon" or "early"
at long last#h>at last
at present#o>"now" is shorter and less obtrusive if repeated\
at that point in time#o>then
at the crack of dawn#h>early
at the present moment#l>"now" or even "at the moment"
at the same time#l>use "also," if that's what you mean\
at the time when#l>when
at this moment in time#o>now
at this point in time#o>now
at this time#l>now\
at which time#l>when
at your earliest convenience#j>use "soon" or "when you can"
attributable to#o>due to\
awfully#v>use "very," or omit\
band-aid#t>"adhesive bandage"\
band-aids#t>adhesive bandages"\
bare essentials#r>essentials
basic fundamentals#r>fundamentals
basically#v>omit this word - it adds little\
be *d#w
be *d#8
be sure and#i>be sure to\
beat a hasty retreat#h>use "retreat" or "retreated"
been *d#w
been *d#8
behind#9
being *d#w
being *d#8
being as#u>use "as," "because," or "since"
being that#u>use "as," "because," or "since"\
beside#9
between#9
bimonthly#m>this means "every two months," not "twice a month"\
biweekly#m>this means "every two weeks," not "twice a week"\
brief in duration#r>"brief," "quick," or "fast"
bright and early#h>early
bring to a conclusion#o>"conclude," "end," or "finish"
broad daylight#h>daylight
brute force#h>force
burn* the midnight oil#h>use "study"
burning question#h>"question" or "important question"
busy as a#h>use "busy" or "very busy"
by#9
by means of#l>by\
by the same token#h>"similarly" or "furthermore"
by the use of#l>by
came to an end#l>"ended," "finished," or "concluded"\
can not#s>cannot
can't * nor#u>replace "can't" with "can neither"
cannot * nor#u>replace "cannot" with "can neither"
carr* out * experiment#l>use "experiment" as a verb\
carr* out * experiments#l>use "experiment" as a verb\
ceiling#h>use "maximum" or "limit" unless you are talking about a room\
center portion#l>center
center* around#u>use "center on" (a center can't surround anything)
certainly#h>use sparingly for emphasis\
check* on#l>omit "on"\
check* up on#l>omit "up on"\
circl* around#r>omit "around"\
clear as crystal#h>clear
clearly#h>use sparingly if you mean "obviously" or "decidedly"\
close to the point of#h>close to
coca-cola#t>cola (generic)\
cognizant#o>aware
cohort#m>this is a group (e.g., of soldiers), not a follower or ally
coke#t>cola (generic)\
collaborat* together#r>omit "together"
combin* together#r>omit "together"
come* to an end#h>use "end," "finish," or "conclude"\
coming to an end#l>"ending," "finishing," or "concluding"\
common accord#r>accord
compar* against#u>use "compare with"
compar* to#m>this shows resemblances; "compare with" reveals differences\
compar* with#m>this reveals differences; "compare to" shows similarities\
comparatively#m>avoid this adverb except in actual comparisons\
complementary#m>this means completing; "complimentary" is flattering or free
completely eliminated#r>eliminated
completely full#r>full
complimentary#m>this means flattering or free; "complementary" is completing
component parts#r>parts
concept#h>idea\
concepts#h>ideas\
concerning#o>about\
conduct* an investigation#l>use "investigate"
connect* together#r>omit "together"\
connect* up#r>omit "up"\
consensus of opinion#r>consensus
consequent result#r>result
consequent results#r>results
consequently#o>"so," "thus," or even "as a result"\
consign* to oblivion#o>use "forget"
consolidat* together#r>omit "together"
conspicuous by * absence#h>"missing" or "absent"
contacted#o>"met," or "saw" or "seen"\
contacting#o>"meeting" or "seeing"\
continu* on#r>omit "on"\
continu* to remain#r>use "continue" or "remain"
continual#m>this is "at short intervals"; "continuous" is "uninterrupted"
continuous#m>this is "uninterrupted"; "continual" is "at short intervals"
cope* if#i>"cope" should be followed by "with"\
cope* well#i>"cope" should be followed by "with"\
cope*,#i>"cope" should be followed by "with"\
cope*.#i>"cope" should be followed by "with"\
cope*?#i>"cope" should be followed by "with"\
coping if#i>"cope" should be followed by "with"\
coping well#i>"cope" should be followed by "with"\
coping,#i>"cope" should be followed by "with"\
coping.#i>"cope" should be followed by "with"\
coping?#i>"cope" should be followed by "with"\
could of#u>could have
criteria is#u>"criterion is" or "criteria are"
crying need#h>"great need" or "need"
currently#o>use "now" or "at present" (but not "presently")\
dead as a doornail#h>dead
decid* on#l>use "decide" or "decide to"\
decimate#m>preferred meaning is "destroy 1/10 of," not "destroy most of"\
decimated#m>prefer meaning "destroyed 1/10 of," not "destroyed most of"\
decimating#m>prefer meaning "destroying 1/10 of," not "destroying most of"\
definitely#v>avoid this word: it adds little\
demonstrate#o>"show" or "prove"\
demonstrated#o>"showed" or "shown," or "proved"\
demonstrates#o>"shows" or "proves"\
demonstrating#o>"showing" or "proving"\
depreciat* in value#r>omit "in value"\
deserving of#l>use the active voice (e.g., "deserve")
desirous of#o>use "want" or "desire"
devoid of#l>without
dichotomy#h>use this word sparingly
different than#u>"different from," "other than," or "unlike"\
discontinue#o>"stop," "end," or "cease"\
discontinued#o>"stopped," "ended," or "ceased"\
discontinues#o>"stops," "ends," or "ceases"\
discontinuing#o>"stopping," "ending," or "ceasing"\
discreet#m>this means "tactful" or "prudent"; "discrete" is "distinct"
discrete#m>this means "distinct"; "discreet" is "tactful" or "prudent"
disinterested#m>this means "impartial"; "uninterested" means "not interested"\
disutility#n>uselessness
divid* up#r>omit "up"\
doubt* but#l>omit "but"
down to earth#h>"practical," "modest," or "unpretentious"
down-to-earth#h>"practical," "modest," or "unpretentious"
due to#m>this means "attributable to," not "through" or "because of"\
duly noted#h>noted
during#9
during the course of time#h>use "in time" or "during the time," or omit
during the time that#l>"while" or "when"\
each and every#r>"each" or "every"\
each others#s>each other's
each separate#r>use "each" or "separate"
early beginnings#r>beginnings
effected#m>this means "brought about"; "affected" means "influenced"
effecting#m>this means "bringing about"; "affecting" means "influencing"
effectiveness#h>use "success"\
effectuate#o>cause
effectuated#o>caused
effectuates#o>causes
effectuating#o>causing
elucidate#o>explain
elucidated#o>explained
elucidates#o>explains
elucidating#o>explaining
elude#m>this is "avoid" or "escape"; "allude" is "refer indirectly"
eluded#m>this means "escaped"; "alluded" means "referred indirectly"
eludes#m>this means "escapes"; "alludes" means "refers indirectly"
eluding#m>this means "escaping"; "alluding" is "referring indirectly"
eminently successful#o>successful
emotional feelings#r>"emotions" or "feelings"
empt* out#r>omit "out"\
enclosed herein#r>enclosed
enclosed herewith#r>enclosed
end result#r>result
end results#r>results
endeavor#o>"try," "attempt," or "strive" (verb), or "attempt" (noun)\
endeavored#o>"tried" or "attempted"
endeavoring#o>"trying," "striving," or "attempting"
endeavors#o>"tries," "attempts," or "strives" (verb); "attempts" (noun)\
engag* in conversation#o>use "speak" or "talk"
enormity#m>this means "wickedness" or "evil," not "bigness"
enter* in#l>omit "in"
entertain* high hopes of#o>use "hope for"
enthuse#u>use "be enthusiastic" or "talk enthusiastically"\
enthused#u>use "was enthusiastic" or "talked enthusiastically"\
epic struggle#h>struggle
equally as good#r>"as good" or "equally good"
erect#o>build\
erected#o>built\
erecting#o>building\
erects#o>builds\
essentially#v>use this word sparingly - it adds little\
eventuate#o>happen
eventuated#o>happened
eventuates#o>happens
eventuating#o>happening
every now and then#h>occasionally\
evince#o>"show" or "display"
evinced#o>"showed" or "shown," or "displayed"
evinces#o>"shows" or "displays"
evincing#o>"showing" or "displaying"
exactly identical#r>identical
exactly the same#r>the same\
exhibit* a tendency to#l>use the active voice (e.g., "tend to")
experienc* difficulty#o>use "have trouble" or "have problems"\
extremely#h>use "very," or omit\
fac* up to#h>omit "up to"
facilitate#o>"ease," "simplify," or "help"
facilitated#o>"eased," "simplified," or "helped"
facilitates#o>"eases," "simplifies," or "helps"
facilitating#o>"easing," "simplifying," or "helping"
fact is#h>Weak. Omit and state the fact.
fact that#h>Weak. Omit and state the fact.
factor#h>"part," "fact," "aspect," or "feature"\
factors#h>"parts," "facts," "aspects," or "features"\
facts and figures#h>"facts" or "figures"\
fair sex#h>women
fairly#v>This is weak. Consider omitting.\
far better#k>much better\
far bigger#k>much bigger\
far faster#k>much faster\
far more#k>more\
far slower#k>much slower\
far smaller#k>much smaller\
far worse#k>much worse\
farther#m>"farther" implies distance; "further" implies time or amount\
fearful of#l>use "fear"
fearful that#l>use "fear"
few and far between#r>few
few in number#r>few
fewer#m>use "fewer" for number, "less" for nonnumerical quantity\
file* away#l>omit "away"\
final outcome#r>outcome
final result#r>result
final results#r>results
final upshot#r>upshot
finalize#o>complete\
finalized#o>completed\
finalizes#o>completes\
finalizing#o>completing\
first and foremost#r>first
first initiate#r>"begin" or "start"
first initiated#r>"began" or "begun," or "started"
first initiates#r>"begins" or "starts"
first initiating#r>"beginning" or "starting"
first of all#l>first\
firstly#u>first
fit as a fiddle#h>"fit" or "healthy"
flammable#j>inflammable\
flaunt#m>this means "display boldly"; "flout" is "mock" or "scoff at"
flaunted#m>this means "displayed boldly"; "flouted" means "mocked"
flaunting#m>this means "displaying boldly"; "flouting" means "mocking"
flaunts#m>this means "displays boldly"; "flouts" means "mocks"
folks#i>"people" or "family"\
follow* after#r>omit "after"
follow* in * footsteps#h>use "follow" only
food for thought#h>use "interesting"
for#9
for a period of#o>for
for the * reason* that#l>use "because" or "since"\
for the purpose of#l>"for" or "to"
for the reason* that#l>"because" or "since"\
for your information#o>omit this phrase
foreseeable future#h>future
fortuitous#m>this means "by chance," not "lucky" or "fortunate"\
fortuitously#m>this means "by chance," not "luckily" or "fortunately"\
frankly#h>use this word sparingly\
frequently#o>often\
from#9
from the standpoint of#h>use "according to," or rewrite to avoid this phrase
full and complete#r>"full," "complete," or "total"
further#m>"further" implies time or amount; "farther" implies distance\
gave an indication of#o>"indicated," or "showed" or "shown"
gave authorization#o>use "allowed" or "authorized"
gave rise to#h>caused\
geared to#h>"adapted to" or "designed to"\
generally agreed#l>agreed\
generous to a fault#h>"too generous" or "generous"
giv* an indication of#o>use "indicate" or "show"
giv* authorization#o>use "allow" or "authorize"
giv* rise to#h>use "cause"\
giv* the green light to#h>use "approve" or "authorize"
good and ready#h>ready
great majority of#o>"most" or "most of"
had a need for#l>"needed" or "required"\
had got to#k>use "had to," if that's what you mean\
had the ability to#l>could
had the capability#o>use "could"
has a need for#l>"needs" or "requires"\
has got to#k>use "must," if that's what you mean\
has the capability#o>use "can" or "is able"
hav* a need for#l>use "need" or "require"\
hav* reference to#o>use "refer to"
hav* the capability#o>use "can"
have got to#k>use "must," if that's what you mean\
head* up#h>omit "up" if "head" is a verb
help* but#l>use "help" (e.g., "can't help being" for "can't help but be")
her just deserts#h>use "what she deserved" or "what she deserves"
his just deserts#h>use "what he deserved" or "what he deserves"
hopeful of#l>use the active voice (e.g., "hope")
hopeful that#l>use the active voice (e.g., "hope")
hopefully#m>this means "in a hopeful manner," not "it is hoped that"\
how ever#s>however (avoid questions that begin "How ever" or "However")
i myself#r>I\
if and when#h>"if" or "when"\
if at all possible#r>if possible\
impacted#u>use as adjective (e.g., "impacted tooth") but not as verb\
impacting#u>avoid using "impact" as a verb\
impacts#u>avoid using "impact" as a verb\
implement#o>"carry out" (verb); "tool" or "device" (noun)\
implementation#j>try "version" or "design"\
implemented#o>carried out
implementing#o>carrying out
implements#o>carries out (verb); tools or devices (noun)\
in#9
in * light of#l>use "because" or "considering," if that's what you mean
in * opinion#l>use the active voice (e.g., "think")\
in a great many cases#l>use "often" or "very often" or "a great many of these"
in a great number of cases#l>use "often" or "very often" or "a great number of these"
in a jiffy#h>"soon" or "very soon"
in a large number of cases#h>use "often" or "very often" or "a large number of these"
in a position to#h>use "can," if that's what you mean
in a satisfactory manner#l>satisfactorily
in a small number of cases#l>use "rarely" or "occasionally" or "a few of these"
in a timely manner#o>"soon" or "at a suitable time"
in accordance with#o>"by" or "in agreement with"
in addition to#l>besides\
in advance of#l>"before" or "earlier than"
in agreement with#l>use the active voice (e.g., "agree with")
in all cases#h>use "always" or "all of these"
in behalf of#o>use "for" by itself or with a verb (e.g., "speaking for")\
in between#l>use "between," if that's what you mean
in case#h>use "if"
in close proximity#r>use "near"
in conflict with#l>use the active voice (e.g., "oppose" or "differ")\
in conjunction with#o>with
in connection with#h>"about" or "concerning"
in excess of#o>more than
in fact#h>use this phrase sparingly\
in general#h>use this phrase sparingly\
in itself#h>use this phrase sparingly
in large measure#o>largely
in many cases#h>use "often" or "many of these" or "sometimes"
in most cases#h>use "mostly" or "usually" or "most of these"
in no case#h>use "never" or "none of these"
in possession of#o>use "have" or "own"
in rare cases#l>use "rarely" or "a few of these"
in reference to#j>"about" or "concerning"\
in regards to#u>"as regards" or "in regard to"
in respect of#l>"respecting" or "concerning"
in respect to#l>"about" or "concerning"
in short supply#h>"scarce" or "rare"
in some cases#h>use "sometimes" or "some of these"
in that case#h>then\
in the absence of#l>use "without," if that"s what you mean
in the afternoon#r>omit if "p.m." is also used
in the aggregate#o>total
in the case of#h>"for," "by," "in," or "if"
in the context of#h>omit this phrase
in the course of#h>use "during" or "while"
in the evening#r>omit if "p.m." is also used
in the event of#o>use "if"
in the field of#h>in\
in the final analysis#h>"finally" or "in sum"
in the interim#o>meanwhile
in the last analysis#h>"finally" or "in sum"
in the matter of#j>"about" or "concerning"
in the morning#r>omit if "a.m." is also used
in the near future#h>soon
in the neighborhood of#h>"about" or "roughly"
in the not too distant future#h>if you mean it, use "soon"; if not, use "in the future"
in the possession of#l>use "have" or "own"
in the proximity of#o>"near," "nearly," or "about"
in the range of#h>"between," "near," or "about"
in the vicinity of#h>"near" or "about"
in the worst way#i>very much
in this case#h>"here" or "then"\
inasmuch as#l>"since," "as," or "because"\
incredible variety#h>variety
incumbent on#o>use "obliged to" or "obligatory"
incumbent upon#o>use "obliged to" or "obligatory"
indeed#v>use this word sparingly\
indicate#o>"show" or "suggest"\
indicated#o>"showed" or "suggested"\
indicates#o>"shows" or "suggests"\
indicating#o>"showing" or "suggesting"\
individuals#o>people
infer#m>this means "deduce"; "imply" means "suggest"
inferred#m>this means "deduced"; "implied" means "suggested"
inferring#m>this means "deducing"; "implying" means "suggesting"
infers#m>this means "deduces"; "implies" means "suggests"
infinite number of#m>use "large number of" or "very many"\
infinitely#m>use "very" or "much," if that's what you mean\
initial occurrence#o>first time
initial step#o>first step
injurious to#o>use the active voice with "harmful" or "damaging"
inquire#o>ask\
inquired#o>asked\
inquires#o>asks\
inquiring#o>use "asking" if it's a verb ("inquiring reporter" is O.K.)\
inside of#l>inside
insightful#h>perceptive
institute* * change#o>use "change" as a verb
instituted#o>"began" or "begun," or "started"
instituting#o>"beginning" or "starting"
intermingl* with#r>use "mingle with"
into#9
involv* the necessity of#k>use "require"
irregardless#u>regardless
is *d#w
is *d#8
is defined as#l>is
is indicative of#o>"shows" or "suggests"
is not *d#w
is not *d#8
is suggestive of#o>suggests
is used to control#l>controls\
is used to provide#l>provides\
is when#m>O.K. for specific time, but not as in "lunch is when I diet"\
is where#m>O.K. for specific place, but not as in "math is where I fail"\
isn't *d#w
isn't *d#8
it goes without saying#h>use "clearly," "evidently," or "obviously," or omit
it is often the case#h>use "often"
it is worth pointing out that#h>use "note that"
it stands to reason#h>use "clearly" or "logically"
it's own#s>its own
its a#s>it's a
its an#s>it's an
its been#s>it's been
its had#s>it's had
its the#s>it's the
join* together#r>omit "together"
joint cooperation#r>cooperation
joint partnership#r>partnership
just exactly#r>"just" or "exactly"
kind of#v>use this to mean "type of," but not "somewhat" or "rather"\
kleenex#t>use "tissue"\
knots per hour#u>knots
large in size#r>large
last but not least#h>"last" or "finally"
later on#l>later\
lay#m>"lay a bet," "I lay down before" O.K., but use "lie down now"
lays#m>transitive O.K. ("lays bets") but intransitive is "lies down"
leav* out of consideration#o>use "disregard"
lend* a helping hand#h>use "help"
less#m>use "less" for nonnumerical quantity, "fewer" for number\
liable to#u>likely to\
link* up#r>omit "up"\
literally#m>this means "word for word," not "actually"\
loaned#u>prefer "lent"\
loaning#u>prefer "lending"\
los* out on#h>omit "out on"
lots of#i>"many" or "much"\
made * adjustment#l>use "adjusted"\
made a study of#l>studied
made adjustments#l>adjusted\
made an approximation#l>approximated
made an examination#l>examined
made contact with#h>"met," or "saw" or "seen"
made mention of#u>mentioned
made the acquaintance of#o>met
main essentials#r>essentials
major miracle#l>miracle
mak* * adjustment#l>use "adjust"\
mak* a study of#l>use the active voice (e.g., "study")
mak* adjustments#l>use "adjust"\
mak* an approximation#l>use "approximate"
mak* an examination#l>use "examine"
mak* contact with#h>use "meet" or "see"\
mak* mention of#u>use "mention"
mak* the acquaintance of#o>use "meet"
marked contrast#h>contrast
materialize#o>use "happen" or "occur," if that's what you mean
materialized#o>use "happened" or "occurred," if that's what you mean
materializes#o>use "happens" or "occurs," if that's what you mean
materializing#o>use "happening" or "occurring," if that's what you mean
maximum possible#r>maximum
may or may not#h>may\
meaningful#h>"important" or "significant"\
meet* up with#r>omit "up with"\
melt* down#r>omit "down," unless a nuclear reactor is in trouble\
merg* together#r>omit "together"
met up with#r>omit "up with"\
methodologies#j>"methods" or "procedures"\
methodology#j>"method" or "procedure"\
might of#u>might have
mingl* together#r>omit "together"
minimiz* as far as possible#r>omit "as far as possible"
miss* out on#r>omit "out on"\
mistaken for being#r>mistaken for
mix* together#r>omit "together"
more importantly#u>more important
more preferable#r>preferable
most everybody#i>almost everybody
most perfect#r>use "perfect"
most unique#r>use "unique"
must of#u>must have
mutual cooperation#r>cooperation
namely#o>use "that is" or omit\
naturally#v>use this word sparingly\
necessitate#o>"require" or "make necessary"
necessitated#o>"required" or "made necessary"
necessitates#o>"requires" or "makes necessary"
necessitating#o>"requiring" or "making necessary"
needless to say#h>omit this phrase\
new beginning#r>beginning
nice#h>use this word sparingly\
no body#m>use "nobody" if you mean "no person"
not infrequent#o>"frequent" or "regular"
not infrequently#o>"sometimes" or "often"
not of a high * of accuracy#l>inaccurate
numerous#o>many\
obviously#h>use this word sparingly\
of#9
of a * character#l>shorten, e.g., "act of a hostile character" to "hostile act"\
of a * nature#l>shorten, e.g., "acts of a hostile nature" to "hostile acts"\
of considerable magnitude#o>use "great," "big," or "large"
of extreme importance#o>use "important" or "very important"
of the essence#l>essential
of the opinion that#h>use the active voice (e.g., "think" or "believe")
of the same opinion#h>use "agree"
of who#m>use "of whom" (except, e.g., in "man I'd heard of who knew")
off of#l>off\
on#9
on a few occasions#l>occasionally\
on account of#l>because\
on behalf of#o>use "for" alone or with a verb (e.g., "speaking for")\
on more than one occasion#o>more than once
on the basis of#h>"by," "from," "because," or even "based on"
on the grounds that#l>"since," "because," or "as"\
on the order of#l>"about," "nearly," or "roughly"
on the part of#l>use "by," "of," or "for," if that's what you mean\
one and the same#h>the same
ongoing#o>use "continuing" or "active," or omit
only difference being#l>use "except that"\
onto#9
open* up#l>omit "up"\
optimum#o>"best" or "most favorable"
or otherwise#k>or not
orientate#o>orient
orientated#o>oriented
orientates#o>orients
orientating#o>orienting
over and done with#h>"finished" or "done"
overall#h>"total" or "general"\
parameters#h>use only as a mathematical term\
part and parcel#h>part
past history#r>history
peddle#m>this means "sell" (pejorative); "pedal" means "bicycle"
peddled#m>this means "sold" (pejorative); "pedaled" means "bicycled"
peddles#m>this means "sells" (pejorative); "pedals" means "bicycles"
peddling#m>this means "selling" (pejorative); "pedaling" is "bicycling"
perceptive#h>use "observant," if that's what you mean\
perform#o>use "do" (except for film and stage performers)\
performed#o>use "did" or "done" (except for film and stage performers)\
performing#o>use "doing" (except for film and stage performers)\
performs#o>use "does" (except for film and stage performers)\
personalized#o>avoid this word, or use "personal" if that's what you mean
personally#h>O.K. in "take it personally"; omit in "I personally," etc.\
pertaining to#o>about
pick and choose#r>choose\
picture of health#h>use "healthy"
plan* ahead#r>omit "ahead"\
plan* for the future#r>omit "for the future"
plan* in advance#r>omit "in advance"
possess#o>use "have" or "own," if that's what you mean\
possessed#o>use "had" or "owned," if that's what you mean\
possesses#o>use "has" or "owns," if that's what you mean\
possessing#o>use "having" or "owning," if that's what you mean\
present time#r>use "now" or "the present"\
present* a report#l>omit rest of phrase and use "report" as a verb
presently#m>prefer "now," if that's what you mean
prestigious#o>use "honored," or omit
pretty#v>use to mean "attractive," but omit in, e.g., "pretty good"\
principal#m>this means "main" or "director"; "principle" is "basic rule"
principals#m>this means "school directors"; "principles" are basic rules
principle#m>this means "basic rule"; "principal" is "main" or "director"
principles#m>this means "basic rules"; "principals" are school directors
print it out#l>print it\
prior to#o>before\
prioritize#n>rank
prioritized#n>ranked
prioritizes#n>ranks
prioritizing#n>ranking
procure#o>"get" or "obtain"\
procured#o>"got" or "obtained"\
procures#o>"gets" or "obtains"\
procuring#o>"getting" or "obtaining"\
prolong* the duration of#r>omit "the duration of"
provided that#o>if\
purport* to be#o>use "claim to be"
pursuant to#o>following
quite a lot better#l>much better
quite angry#v>"angry" or "very angry"\
quite bad#v>"bad" or "very bad"\
quite badly#v>"badly" or "very badly"\
quite big#v>big\
quite clear#v>clear\
quite early#v>"early" or "very early"\
quite few#v>few\
quite good#v>"good" or "very good"\
quite helpful#v>"helpful" or "very helpful"\
quite influential#v>influential\
quite interested#v>"interested" or "very interested"\
quite interesting#v>"interesting" or "very interesting"\
quite large#v>large\
quite late#v>"late" or "very late"\
quite like#v>like\
quite little#v>little\
quite long#v>"long" or "very long"\
quite new#v>new\
quite obvious#v>obvious\
quite often#v>often\
quite old#v>old\
quite pleased#v>"pleased" or "very pleased"\
quite recent#v>recent\
quite recently#v>recently\
quite short#v>"short" or "very short"\
quite significant#v>significant\
quite similar#v>similar\
quite small#v>small\
quite special#v>special\
quite technical#v>technical\
quite unique#r>unique
quite unusual#v>"unusual" or "very unusual"\
quite useful#v>"useful" or "very useful"\
quite well#v>"well" or "very well"\
rather angry#v>angry\
rather bad#v>bad\
rather badly#v>badly\
rather big#v>big\
rather clear#v>clear\
rather early#v>early\
rather few#v>few\
rather good#v>good\
rather helpful#v>helpful\
rather high#v>high\
rather influential#v>influential\
rather interested#v>interested\
rather interesting#v>interesting\
rather large#v>large\
rather late#v>late\
rather like#v>like\
rather little#v>little\
rather long#v>long\
rather low#v>low\
rather new#v>new\
rather obvious#v>obvious\
rather often#v>often\
rather old#v>old\
rather pleased#v>pleased\
rather recent#v>recent\
rather recently#v>recently\
rather short#v>short\
rather similar#v>similar\
rather small#v>small\
rather special#v>special\
rather technical#v>technical\
rather unusual#v>unusual\
rather well#v>well\
real bad#u>"bad" or "very bad"\
real badly#u>"badly" or "very badly"\
real disappointed#u>"disappointed" or "very disappointed"\
real glad#u>"glad" or "very glad"\
real good#u>"good" or "very good"\
real happy#u>"happy" or "very happy"\
real lucky#u>"lucky" or "very lucky"\
real sad#u>"sad" or "very sad"\
real sorry#u>"sorry" or "very sorry"\
really#v>use this word sparingly\
reason is because#r>reason is that
reason was because#r>reason was that
reason why#r>"reason" or "reason that"\
reasons are because#r>reasons are that
reasons why#r>"reasons" or "reasons that"\
recur* again#r>omit "again"
refer* back#l>omit "back"
refer* to as#o>use "call"
reinitiate#o>begin again
reinitiated#o>"began again" or "begun again"
reinitiates#o>begins again
reinitiating#o>beginning again
relate* to#m>do not use to suggest rapporti: "I relate well to Janet"\
relative to#o>"compared with" or "pertaining to"
relatively#v>use "very" or "not very," or omit\
repeat* again#r>omit "again"
representative of#l>use the active voice (e.g., "represents")\
reside#o>"live" or "stay"\
resided#o>"lived" or "stayed"\
resides#o>"lives" or "stays"\
residing#o>"living" or "staying"\
resumed again#r>omit "again"
return* again#r>omit "again"
revert* back#r>omit "back"
second to none#h>use "first" or "best"
secondly#o>prefer "second"\
seldom ever#r>seldom
sen* a communication to#o>use "write" or "notify"
should of#u>should have
similar with#u>similar to
single unit#r>unit
situation#h>use this sparingly: try to find a more concrete word\
small in size#r>small
some body#m>use "somebody" if you mean "some person"
sort of#v>use this to mean "type of," but not "rather" or "somewhat"\
spell* out#h>use "explain," if that's what you mean\
st* out like a sore thumb#h>omit "like a sore thumb"
stationary#m>this is "fixed," "static"; "stationery" is writing materials
stationery#m>this is writing materials; "stationary" is "fixed," "static"
stick* to * guns#h>use "persevere" or "persist"
still continue#r>continue
still continued#r>continued
still continues#r>continues
still continuing#r>continuing
still remain#r>remain
still remained#r>remained
still remaining#r>remaining
still remains#r>remains
stress* the point that#l>omit "the point"\
stretch* the truth#h>use "exaggerate" or "lie"
student body#k>use "students"\
subsequent#o>"next" or "later"\
succeed* in doing#l>use only "do" or "accomplish"
surrounding circumstances#r>circumstances
syndrome#h>use sparingly, except as a medical term\
tak* appropriate action#h>use "act," or rewrite sentence to omit the phrase
tak* appropriate measures#h>use "act," or rewrite sentence to omit the phrase
tak* cognizance of#o>use "note" or "notice"
tak* into consideration#o>use "consider"\
termed as#u>termed
terminate#o>"end" or "fire"\
terminated#o>"ended" or "fired"\
terminates#o>"ends" or "fires"\
terminating#o>"ending" or "firing"\
termination#o>"end," or "discharge" or "firing"\
the above-mentioned#k>use "the," "this," "that," "those," or "as mentioned above"\
the aforementioned#k>use "the," "this," "that," "those," or "as mentioned above"\
the aforesaid#k>use "the," "this," "that," "those," or "as mentioned above"\
the bitter end#h>omit "bitter"
the majority of#o>"most" or "most of"\
the truth is#h>omit this phrase (it often sounds insincere)\
their are#s>there are
their can#s>there could
their could#s>there could
their is#s>there is
their just deserts#h>use "what they deserved" or "what they deserve"
their may#s>there may
their should#s>there should
their would#s>there would
there are not many#l>use "few"\
there fore#s>therefore
thirdly#o>prefer "third"\
this day and age#h>use "today" or "now"
this months#s>this month's
this weeks#s>this week's
this years#s>this year's
through the medium of#h>through
through the use of#l>use "by" or "by using," or "with"\
throughout the entire#r>use "throughout" or "in the entire"
thusly#u>thus
time interval#r>"interval" or "time"
to#9
to * be#x>think twice before splitting an infinitive\
to * call#x>think twice before splitting an infinitive\
to * do#x>think twice before splitting an infinitive\
to * get#x>think twice before splitting an infinitive\
to * have#x>think twice before splitting an infinitive\
to * let#x>think twice before splitting an infinitive\
to * make#x>think twice before splitting an infinitive\
to * see#x>think twice before splitting an infinitive\
to * send#x>think twice before splitting an infinitive\
to * thank#x>think twice before splitting an infinitive\
to all intents and purposes#h>use "virtually" or "for all practical purposes"
to loan#u>prefer "to lend"\
to myself#u>to me
to who#m>use "to whom" (except, e.g., in "woman I spoke to who knew")
took appropriate action#h>use "acted," or rewrite sentence to omit the phrase
took appropriate measures#h>use "acted," or rewrite sentence to omit the phrase
took cognizance of#o>"noted" or "noticed"
took into consideration#o>considered\
tortuous#m>this means "winding" or "twisting"; "torturous" is "painful"
torturous#m>this means "painful"; "tortuous" is "winding" or "twisting"
totally perfect#r>perfect
totally unique#r>unique
toward#9
transpire#m>this means "become known," not "happen" or "occur"\
transpired#m>this means "became known," not "happened" or "occurred"\
transpires#m>this means "becomes known," not "happens" or "occurs"\
transpiring#m>this means "becoming known," not "happening" or "occurring"\
traumatic#h>use sparingly, except as a medical term\
tried and true#h>"true" or "dependable"
tries and#u>tries to
true facts#r>facts
try and#i>use "try to" in formal prose\
typically#v>use this word sparingly\
ultimate#o>"last" or "final"\
under#9
under separate cover#j>use "separately" or, e.g., "in a separate letter"\
under the necessity#o>use "have to" or "must"
underlying purpose#h>purpose
undert* a study of#o>use "study"
uniformly consistent#r>"consistent" or "uniform"
until such time as#o>until
upon#9
utilize#o>prefer "use"\
utilized#o>prefer "used"\
utilizes#o>prefer "uses"\
utilizing#o>prefer "using"\
vanish* into thin air#h>omit "into thin air"
verbal#m>avoid ambiguity: if you want to exclude writing, use "oral"\
very best#r>best\
very complete#r>complete
very end#h>end
very finest#r>finest\
very real#l>use "real" or rewrite to omit; avoid "in a very real sense"\
very unique#r>unique
very worst#r>worst\
viable#o>O.K. in "viable seed" but not if you mean "practicable"\
vital#h>use "important," if that's what you mean\
wait on#i>use "wait for"
was *d#w
was *d#8
was not *d#w
was not *d#8
wasn't *d#w
wasn't *d#8
weaker sex#h>use "women"
were *d#w
were *d#8
were not *d#w
were not *d#8
weren't *d#w
weren't *d#8
when ever#s>whenever
whether or not#l>omit "or not" if your meaning is "if"\
whose in charge#s>who's in charge
with#9
with out#s>without
with reference to#o>"about" or "concerning"
with regard to#o>"about" or "concerning"
with respect to#o>"about" or "concerning"
with the exception of#l>except for\
with the object of#o>use "trying to"
with the result that#l>so that
with this in mind#h>use "therefore," if that's what you mean\
with who#m>use "with whom" (except, e.g., in "man I ate with who said")
within the realm of possibility#h>"possible" or "possibly"
without#9
would of#u>would have
xerox#t>use "photocopy"\