Which editing approach best reduces wordiness?

• A. Use Passive Voice to shorten sentences.
• B. Replace long phrases with longer synonyms.
• C. Remove filler words and tighten phrases.
• D. Expand sentences for detail.

Answer: (C)

Conciseness comes from removing filler words and tightening phrasing. This approach trims sentences to their essential meaning, keeps the idea intact, and makes writing easier to read. By cutting filler terms and simplifying complex phrases, you maintain the core message while reducing word count. For example, replacing “in order to” with “to” or “due to the fact that” with “because” keeps the sentence clear but shorter. Tightening phrases also helps—turning “made a decision to” into “decided,” or “at this point in time” into “now.” Using passive voice to shorten sentences isn’t a reliable method because it often adds words and can blur who is doing the action. Replacing long phrases with longer synonyms lengthens text, and expanding sentences for detail increases wordiness. The best approach for reducing wordiness is simply removing filler words and tightening phrases.