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).