The Writer's Handbook

Clear, Concise Sentences

Follow the principles below to write sentences that are clear, to the point, and easier to read.

Reduce unnecessary prepositional phrases

Sometimes prepositional phrases aren't really necessary, especially when you use them (instead of an apostrophe + s) to denote possession of an object.

Also, try to avoid using too many prepositional phrases in a single sentence, since they can obscure the main subject and action of a sentence.

Examples

Unnecessary phrase: The opinion of the manager

Correction: The manager's opinion

Unnecessary phrase: The obvious effect of such a range of reference is to assure the audience of the author's range of learning and intellect.

Correction: The wide-ranging references in this talk assure the audience that the author is intelligent and well-read.

Unnecessary phrase: It is a matter of the gravest possible importance to the health of anyone with a history of a problem with disease of the heart that he or she should avoid the sort of foods with a high percentage of saturated fats.

Correction: Anyone with a history of heart disease should avoid saturated fats.

(Heffernan and Lincoln, 1996, p. 55)