Making Your English Lean and Mean

Ready to trim some unnecessary words and make your English look fit and fabulous?

Why Less is More

Your sentences should be clear and powerful—without the extra fluff. Too many words can weaken your writing.

Let’s give some common word combinations a quick workout:

• „Advance warning“ → Just „warning.“
  A warning is always in advance—unless you’ve invented a time machine!
• „Free gift“ → Simply „gift.“
  If it’s not free, it’s not a gift. It’s just shopping.
• „Past history“ → Just „history.“
  All history is in the past. „Future history“ is pure sci-fi!
• „True fact“ → Just „fact.“
  A fact is always true. If it’s false, it’s not a fact—it’s a lie.
• „Unexpected surprise“ → Just „surprise.“
  If you’re expecting it, it’s not a surprise—it’s an appointment.

The Golden Rule of Word Fitness 🏆

If a word doesn’t add new meaning or information to a sentence, it can probably be left out. Trim the excess, and your writing will be sharper, clearer, and more impactful.

Next time you write, take a moment to cut the fat—and watch your sentences become stronger, smarter, and more elegant.