Toefl Grammar

TOEFL Grammar Practice Tests

WORDINESS

Wordiness

Reducing Wordiness for Clearer Communication

Wordiness refers to the excessive use of words or phrases that can make writing or speech unclear, lengthy, and less concise. It is important to identify and eliminate wordiness to improve communication and convey ideas more effectively. In this section, we will explore strategies for reducing wordiness and provide examples to help you streamline your language.

  1. Avoiding Redundancy: Redundancy occurs when unnecessary repetition or duplication of information is present. By removing redundant words or phrases, you can make your communication more concise.

Example 1 (Wordy): “I saw it with my own eyes.” (The phrase “with my own eyes” is redundant since “I saw it” implies personal observation.)

  1. Using Precise Language: Choosing precise and specific words helps convey your message more efficiently. Avoid vague or generic terms that can lead to unnecessary wordiness.

Example 2 (Wordy): “He performed in a very outstanding manner.” (The word “outstanding” alone is sufficient without the addition of “very.”)

  1. Eliminating Filler Words and Phrases: Filler words and phrases add little meaning to a sentence and can be removed to improve clarity and conciseness.

Example 3 (Wordy): “Basically, what I mean to say is that we should start early.” (The word “basically” and the phrase “what I mean to say” can be eliminated without changing the meaning of the sentence.)

  1. Simplifying Complex Sentence Structures: Long and convoluted sentence structures can contribute to wordiness. Simplify your sentences by breaking them into smaller, more straightforward units.

Example 4 (Wordy): “The reason for my absence from the meeting is that I had fallen ill, and as a result, I was unable to attend.” (Simplified: “I couldn’t attend the meeting because I was sick.”)

  1. Active Voice and Eliminating Unnecessary Phrases: Using the active voice and removing unnecessary phrases can make your sentences more direct and concise.

Example 5 (Wordy): “The decision was made by me.” (Simplified: “I made the decision.”)

  1. Editing and Proofreading: Carefully review your writing or speech to identify and eliminate any unnecessary words or phrases. Editing and proofreading help refine your work for clarity and brevity.

Example 6 (Wordy): “In my opinion, I think that we should consider other options.” (Simplified: “I believe we should consider other options.”)

Conclusion: Reducing wordiness is crucial for clear and effective communication. By avoiding redundancy, using precise language, eliminating filler words and phrases, simplifying sentence structures, and practicing thorough editing and proofreading, you can streamline your language and convey your ideas more concisely. Remember that concise communication is often more impactful and easier to understand. Practice these techniques to improve your writing and speaking skills and enhance your overall communication abilities.

Wordiness

Exercise-1
Write the shorter version of the following sentences.

1. The examination was finished by all the students within the allocated time.
2. The professor, who was tall and blond, lectured about medieval architecture.
3. Paul read Jane’s letter in an exited state of mind.
5. The committee discussed the problem for a long time without being able to come to
the point where a decision could be reached.
5. Crime and illegal acts are on the rise.
6. The girl who was wearing the colorful bathing suit is my cousin.
7. The glass figurine that was on display in the store window appealed to me.
8. Boston, which is the capital of Massachusetts, has many universities and colleges.
9. He walked down the stairs in a quick manner.
10. The young girl who is waiting by the door would like to see you.

Answers

1. All the students finished the examination in time.
2. The tall, blond professor lectured about medieval architecture.
3. Paul excitedly read Jane’s letter.
4. The committee discussed the problem for a long time without reaching a decision.
5. Crime is on the rise.
6. The girl wearing the colorful bathing suit is my cousin.
7. The glass figurine on display in the store window appealed to me.
8. Boston, the capital of Massachusetts, has many universities and colleges.
9. He walked down the stairs quickly.
10. The young girl waiting by the door would like to see you.

Exercise-2

Define which sentences seem wordy.

1. The man indicated a negative response by shaking his head.
2. The house will probably be finished in four months.
3. The house on the corner burned down last night.
4. Jane went to the store with the purpose of selecting and purchasing a new dress.
5. Running on foot through the street, the thief was apprehended by the police.
6. My wife and I argued for hours before deciding to send our son to summer camp.
7. Bob saw several pieces of art that were expensive.
8. Jenny received several speeding tickets.
9. The ballerina danced her dances for hours.
10. Professor Blanton, who is the college president, will speak on this topic.
11. Betty opened the mysterious package cautiously.
12. The saleswoman in the red dress insulted me.
13. Three hours, was the length of time that we found necessary to drive to New York.
14. The Louvr is, a world-famous art museum, in Paris, France.
15. The book was read by me in four hours.

Answers

1. The man shook his head/The man said no.

The man shook his head negatively.
2. The house will likely be finished in four months.

The house will likely be finished in four months.
3. The corner house burned down last night
4. Jane went to the store to buy a new dress.
5. Running through the street, the thief was apprehended by the police.

The police apprehended the thief running through the street
6. My wife and I argued for hours before deciding to send our son to camp.
7. Bob saw several expensive pieces of art

Bob saw several expensive art pieces.
8. Jenny got multiple speeding tickets.
9. The ballerina danced for hours.
10. Professor Blanton, the college president, will speak on this topic.
11. Betty cautiously opened the mysterious package.
12. The saleswoman in red insulted me.
13. It took us three hours to drive to new York.
14. The Louvre is a world-famous art museum located in Paris, France.
15. I read the book in four hours.

Wordiness

Good writing requires fewer words, not more. To get a higher score on the IELTS or TOEFL, you need to say as much as possible within a limited number of words. In this essay, we look at how to avoid wordiness and redundancy by writing tighter sentences. Use the 9 tools provided to make your writing better.

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