Shorten Sentences
Without Losing Meaning

Brevity is the soul of wit, but it’s also the engine of modern communication. In a world of skimming and scrolling, extra words are barriers. Every unnecessary adjective or redundant phrase slows your reader down.

However, cutting text is scary. You worry about losing nuance, detail, or voice. The secret isn't to delete ideas—it's to delete the scaffolding holding those ideas up.

Here are four proven techniques to tighten your prose and make every word fight for its place on the page.

1. Cut the Redundancies (The "ATM Machine" Effect)

We often double up on words without realizing it. Saying "ATM machine" is redundant because the "M" stands for machine. Your writing is full of these invisible echoes.

The Fix: Delete modifiers that are implied by the word itself.

2. Replace Weak Phrases with Strong Verbs

Weak writing relies on "noun-heavy" phrases. Instead of acting, we "make an action." This adds bloat.

The Strategy: Turn the noun back into a verb.

3. Eliminate "There is" and "There are"

These phrases are known as "expletives" in grammar (not the bad kind!). They delay the subject of the sentence. By removing them, you put the actor front and center.

4. Kill the Adverbs (Usually)

Stephen King famously said, "The road to hell is paved with adverbs." Words like very, really, totally, and basically clutter sentences without adding distinct meaning.

Instead of using an adverb to prop up a weak word, use a stronger word.

• Instead of "very big," use "massive."
• Instead of "ran quickly," use "sprinted."
• Instead of "totally confused," use "baffled."

Conclusion

Shortening sentences isn't about dumbing them down. It's about respecting the reader's energy. When you remove the fluff, the meaning shines brighter.