In case you’re unfamiliar, circumlocution is the use of many words when one will do. For example, writing “at this point in time” when “now” will work.

As Ragan.com publisher Mark Ragan often points out at his seminars, readers have “an incredibly shrinking attention span.” As writers and editors, we need to communicate as clearly and concisely as possible. One way we can do this—avoid circumlocution.

Here are some examples:

Instead of

Try

afford an opportunity

allow, let

as a means of

to

at this point in time

now

due to the fact that

because

during the period

during

has a requirement for

needs

in a timely manner

quickly, promptly

in accordance with

by, following, per, under

in advance of

before

in regard to