Wordy Phrases Checker

This rule identifies and flags overly complex or verbose phrases that can make writing less clear and direct. It helps writers maintain clear, concise communication by highlighting unnecessarily wordy expressions that could be replaced with simpler alternatives. Good technical writing should be straightforward and accessible, and eliminating wordiness helps achieve this goal.

Examples:

  • ❌ "I will endeavor to complete the task" → ✅ "I will try to complete the task"
  • ❌ "In accordance with the requirements" → ✅ "Following the requirements"
  • ❌ "Prior to the meeting" → ✅ "Before the meeting"
  • ❌ "For the purpose of testing" → ✅ "To test"
  • ❌ "Due to the fact that" → ✅ "Because"
  • ❌ "At this point in time" → ✅ "Now"
  • ❌ "In order to" → ✅ "To"

The rule catches hundreds of common wordy phrases that often appear in formal or bureaucratic writing. By flagging these phrases, it encourages writers to choose more direct and concise alternatives, making their writing clearer and more impactful.

Rule Source

This rule comes from: https://github.com/mesosphere/dcos-docs-site

Rule Definition

extends: existence
message: "'%s' is too wordy."
ignorecase: true
level: warning
tokens:
  - a number of
  - abundance
  - accede to
  - accelerate
  - accentuate
  - accompany
  - accomplish
  - accorded
  - accrue
  - acquiesce
  - acquire
  - additional
  - adjacent to
  - adjustment
  - admissible
  - advantageous
  - adversely impact
  - advise
  - aforementioned
  - aggregate
  - aircraft
  - all of
  - all things considered
  - alleviate
  - allocate
  - along the lines of
  - already existing
  - alternatively
  - amazing
  - ameliorate
  - anticipate
  - apparent
  - appreciable
  - as a matter of fact
  - as a means of
  - as far as I'm concerned
  - as of yet
  - as to
  - as yet
  - ascertain
  - assistance
  - at the present time
  - at this time
  - attain
  - attributable to
  - authorize
  - because of the fact that
  - belated
  - benefit from
  - bestow
  - by means of
  - by virtue of
  - by virtue of the fact that
  - cease
  - close proximity
  - commence
  - comply with
  - concerning
  - consequently
  - consolidate
  - constitutes
  - demonstrate
  - depart
  - designate
  - discontinue
  - due to the fact that
  - each and every
  - economical
  - eliminate
  - elucidate
  - employ
  - endeavor
  - enumerate
  - equitable
  - equivalent
  - evaluate
  - evidenced
  - exclusively
  - expedite
  - expend
  - expiration
  - facilitate
  - factual evidence
  - feasible
  - finalize
  - first and foremost
  - for all intents and purposes
  - for the most part
  - for the purpose of
  - forfeit
  - formulate
  - have a tendency to
  - honest truth
  - however
  - if and when
  - impacted
  - implement
  - in a manner of speaking
  - in a timely manner
  - in a very real sense
  - in accordance with
  - in addition
  - in all likelihood
  - in an effort to
  - in between
  - in excess of
  - in lieu of
  - in light of the fact that
  - in many cases
  - in my opinion
  - in order to
  - in regard to
  - in some instances
  - in terms of
  - in the case of
  - in the event that
  - in the final analysis
  - in the nature of
  - in the near future
  - in the process of
  - inception
  - incumbent upon
  - indicate
  - indication
  - initiate
  - irregardless
  - is applicable to
  - is authorized to
  - is responsible for
  - it is
  - it is essential
  - it seems that
  - it was
  - magnitude
  - maximum
  - methodology
  - minimize
  - minimum
  - modify
  - monitor
  - multiple
  - necessitate
  - nevertheless
  - not certain
  - not many
  - not often
  - not unless
  - not unlike
  - notwithstanding
  - null and void
  - numerous
  - objective
  - obligate
  - obtain
  - on the contrary
  - on the other hand
  - one particular
  - optimum
  - overall
  - owing to the fact that
  - participate
  - particulars
  - pass away
  - pertaining to
  - point in time
  - portion
  - possess
  - preclude
  - previously
  - prior to
  - prioritize
  - procure
  - proficiency
  - provided that
  - put simply
  - readily apparent
  - refer back
  - regarding
  - relocate
  - remainder
  - remuneration
  - requirement
  - reside
  - residence
  - retain
  - satisfy
  - shall
  - should you wish
  - similar to
  - solicit
  - span across
  - strategize
  - subsequent
  - substantial
  - successfully complete
  - sufficient
  - terminate
  - the month of
  - the point I am trying to make
  - therefore
  - time period
  - took advantage of
  - transmit
  - transpire
  - type of
  - until such time as
  - utilization
  - utilize
  - validate
  - various different
  - what I mean to say is
  - whether or not
  - with respect to
  - with the exception of
  - witnessed