Sentences consist of two types of words – those that do the work and those that glue words together. “Glue” words are the 200 most common ones we use. They help glue the sentence together, but overusing them can make your sentences sound cluttered or wordy.
Ideally, your sentences should contain fewer than 45 per cent glue words. If they contain more, consider rewriting them.
Examples of glue words
Words that link ideas and parts of the sentence
so, if, but, and, that, than, this, it, there
Prepositions
about, in, on, of, to, for, with, from
Articles and similar
the, a, an, some
Verbs and auxiliaries
be, is, was
get, go, think, said
have, will
Other words
every, just, only, as
Here are two examples of sentences with glue words underlined and suggestions on how to reduce them.
Use an AI tool such as DeepL Write to get alternatives.
AI tools often retain style features which are better avoided, so you still need the human eye!
Glue words: underlined
Versions by DeepL Write:
Original 1: In regard to tomorrow’s event, the main focus should be on keeping all participants fully engaged and feeling as though they are valued contributors. (24 words with 8 glue words)
- The focus should be on keeping everyone fully engaged and feeling like a valued contributor to tomorrow’s event. (18 words with 6 glue words)
- For tomorrow’s event, the main focus should be on keeping everyone fully engaged and feeling valued for contributing. (18 words with 6 glue words)
Original 2: There is an expectation that progress in the various de-escalation zones would result in increased humanitarian access. (17 words with 7 glue words)
Version by DeepL Write:
- Progress in the various de-escalation zones is expected to lead to increased humanitarian access. (14 words with 5 glue words)
Author: Carol Waites
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Editorial advice from Louise FitzGerald
and Christina O’Shaughnessy
https://worldwidewriting.org/
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Carol Waites (PhD)
Email: carolswritingtips@gmail.com
For more writing tips, consult my website:
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