Some common clunkers, and their simpler, more readable replacements. The replacements aren't always perfect synonyms, but 90% of the time they're better than the original. Warning: Some of these changes also require some grammatical twiddling of other parts of the sentence.
a large number of | many |
a number of | some or several or many or something more precise |
accord (verb) | give |
accord respect to | respect |
acquire | get |
additional | more |
additionally | also |
adjacent to | next to or near |
advert to | mention |
afforded | given |
aforementioned | often best omitted |
ambit | reach or scope |
any and all | all |
approximately | about |
ascertain | find out |
assist | help |
at present | now |
at the place | where |
at the present time | now |
at this point in time | now or currently or some such |
at this time | now or currently or some such |
attempt (verb) | try |
because of the fact that | because |
cease | stop |
cease and desist | stop |
circumstances in which | when or where |
cognizant of | aware of or knows |
commence | start |
conceal | hide |
concerning the matter of | about |
consensus of opinion | consensus |
consequence | result |
contiguous to | next to |
demonstrate | show |
desire | want |
despite the fact that | despite or though |
does not operate to | does not |
donate | give |
due to the fact that | because |
during the course of | during |
during the time that | while |
echelon | level |
elucidate | explain or perhaps clarify |
endeavor (verb) | try |
evince | show |
excessive number of | too many |
exclusively | only |
exit (verb) | leave |
facilitate | help |
firstly, secondly, ... | first, second, ... |
for the duration of | during or while |
for the purpose of doing | to do |
for the reason that | because |
forthwith | immediately |
frequently | often |
fundamental | basic |
has a negative impact | hurts or harms |
I would argue that / it is arguable that / it could be argued that | don't say what you'll argue; just argue it |
in a case in which | when or where |
in accordance with | by or under |
in an X manner | Xly, e.g., "hastily" instead of "in a hasty manner" |
in close proximity | near |
in light of the fact that | because or given that |
in order to | to |
in point of fact | in fact (or omit altogether) |
in reference to | about |
in regard to | about |
in the course of | during |
in the event that | if |
indicate | show or say or mean |
individual (noun) | person |
inquire | ask |
is able to | can |
is binding on | binds |
is desirous of | wants |
is dispositive of | disposes of |
is unable to | cannot |
it has been determined that | omit |
it is apparent that | clearly or omit |
it is clear that | clearly or omit |
it should be noted that | omit |
locate | find |
manner | way |
methodology | method |
modify | change |
negatively affect | hurt or harm or decrease or some such |
notify | tell |
notwithstanding | despite |
null and void | void |
numerous | many |
objective (noun) | goal |
observe | see or watch |
obtain | get |
on a number of occasions | often or sometimes |
on the part of | by |
owing to the fact that | because or since |
period of time | time or period |
permit | let or allow |
personnel | people |
point in time | time or point |
portion | part |
possess | have |
prior to | before |
procure | get |
provide | give |
provided that | if or but |
provision of law | law |
purchase | buy |
rate of speed | speed |
referred to as | called |
remainder | rest |
render assistance | help |
request (verb) | ask |
require | need |
retain | keep |
said (adjective) | the or this, e.g., "said contract" can often be changed to "the contract" |
subsequent | later |
subsequent to | after |
subsequently | after or later |
substantiate | prove |
sufficient | enough |
sufficient number of | enough |
termination | end (sometimes) |
the case at bar | this case |
the fact that | that |
the instant case | this case |
the manner in which | how |
this case is distinguishable | all cases are distinguishable; what you probably mean is that this case is different |
to the effect that | that |
until such time as | until |
upon | on |
utilize | use |
very | consider omitting |
was aware | knew |
Sources: Much e-mail from many people; Joseph Stevens, Legal Language, Plain and Simple, Missouri Bar Bulletin, March 1993, at 4. See also Bruce Ross-Larson, Edit Yourself (1982).