Avoid Unnecessary Construction and Prepositions

Readers do not want to slash through a writer’s sentences to understand what they are saying. They prefer and appreciate language that is purposeful, meaningful and to the point. This requires writers to think carefully about the message they want the sentence to convey and what words they will use to say it. Most importantly, this requires the writer to know the subject they are discussing and to discuss it with confidence.

Therefore, phrases such as “the fact is that”, “in order to”, and “in an attempt to”, are empty verbiage. If the writer truly believes in the message of a sentence, then it should just be said. Consider the following revision:

In its attempt to boost school funds, student government proposed several new tax initiatives. (Mixed Constructions)

The student government’s attempt to boost school funds initiated several tax proposals. (Revisions)