Page 15 - Style Book 2020
P. 15

14
Use shorter words
• Use simple, everyday words instead of long, fancy ones. Why write “communicated” when you mean “said,” or “facilitate” when you mean “help.”
That or which, who or whom
• That should be used to introduce essential (restrictive) clauses that refer to inanimate objects, places, ideas or animals without names.
• Use which to introduce a nonessential (nonrestrictive) clause. Which also may be used to avoid repetition of that in a sentence.
• Nonessential clauses can be eliminated without changing the meaning of the sentence and should be offset by commas. Essential clauses cannot be eliminated without changing the meaning of the sentence. Do not offset essential clauses with commas.
Essential: Students who do not attend school regularly should not expect to pass. (This sentence states that only one group of students, those who do not attend school regularly, should not expect to pass. If “who do not attend school regularly” was deleted, the meaning of the sentence would change.)
Nonessential: Students, who do not attend school regularly, should not expect to pass. (This sentence reads that all students should not expect to pass. If “who do not attend class regularly” was deleted, the meaning of the sentence wouldn’t change.)
• When an essential or nonessential clause refers to people or to animals with names, it should be introduced with who and whom. That and which should be used for inanimate objects and animals without names.
Here are some other examples. in parentheses.
assistance (help) innovative (new) optimum (best) utilize (use)
Use fewer words
Try using the words
indicate (mean) endeavor (try) vicinity (near) terminate (end)
• Some people think the longer a message is, the more important it seems. But it usually works the other way.
Short sentences are easier to understand, and long paragraphs intimidate readers. A 14-word sentence is
the average for an eighth-grade reading ability. To avoid monotony, vary the length of your sentences and paragraphs.
• One way to keep sentences and paragraphs short is to use fewer words. Don’t use two or more words when one will do as well. Your writing will be stronger. Here are some examples:
despite the fact that (although) if that is the case (if so)
in the vicinity of (near)
the question is to (whether)
at an early date (soon) exhibits a tendency (tends)
for the purpose of (to)
with the exception of (except) has the capability to (can)
at a later date (later)
brief in duration (brief)
at the time that (when)
is going to (will)
this is a subject that (this subject)
in the event that (if)
makes an attempt (attempts or tries)
if at all possible
(if possible)
in all probability (probably)
of the opinion that (believe)
at that point in time (at that time or then)






























































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