202 English Grammar Demystifi ed
Did you realize that using the word then could substitute for any of the
expressions?
Wordy: In that period, we read all the child-rearing books we could fi nd.Clearer: Then we read all the child-rearing books we could fi nd.Wordy: As of that time, we started toilet training children at a year old.Clearer: We started toilet training children at a year old then.My favorite unnecessary words are listed in the following practice.
Written Practice 9-10
On the lines provided, write a matching expression that eliminates the extra words
from the original expression. The fi rst one is done for you.
- repeat again repeat
- refer back
- true facts
- active consideration
- present status
- entirely complete
- past history
- midway between
- in ten years from now
- at that time
Written Practice 9-11
Simplify each of the following sentences by eliminating unnecessary words.
- Juana’s mother she agreed to bake for her granddaughter’s birthday party.