Avoiding Wordiness

Which word or phrase should be deleted?
Timmy said the UFO he spotted was oblong in shape.

• spotted
• oblong
• in shape
• he

Which word or phrase should be deleted? The children cried when Fido was euthanized because of their past memories of Fido.

• cried

• euthanized

• memories

• past

Which word or phrase should be deleted? Mom has to descend down the basement stairs to do the family laundry.

• descend

• down

• to do

• has too

Which word or phrase should be deleted?

In my personal opinion, the lines at the Post Office have grown too long.

• personal

• opinion

• my

• too long

Which word or phrase should be deleted?
The rally attendance was estimated at about one thousand.

• attendance
• was
• estimated
• about

Which word or phrase should be deleted?

Everyone who attends the grand opening celebration will receive a free gift.

• attends

• free

• gift

• grand

What word or phrase should be deleted?

According to our mayor, the cause of west-side crime is poor people in poverty.

• root

• cause

• west-side

• to our

What word or phrase should be deleted?
Becky was late getting home because of a terrible tragedy at work.

• tragedy
• terrible
• at work
• getting

Which word or phrase should be deleted?
The little people in her diorama are made out of clay

• little
• are made
• out
• of

Is this sentence correct? Scott finally decided to look for a new job.

• Yes

• No