The other day, I found myself thinking about all the ways we use words. Scratch “all!” Let me start over: The other day, I found myself thinking about the ways we use words.
Is the word “all” necessary?
Consider:
How do I love thee? Let me count all the ways.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
Would we find Elizabeth Barrett Browning’s poem as memorable with “all” in the first line?
Consider these:
Arrest all people who break laws.
Arrest people who break laws.
Color in all the blank squares below.
Color in the blank squares below.
All people have their good and bad sides.
People have their good and bad sides.
The above sentences without “all” are stronger and more respectful of the reader. Their attitude is calmer, less preachy and more appealing because they’re missing one little word. Notice I chose not to write “all because.”
Look: There may be a place for “all,” for example, when you’re giving instructions and you want to make certain the person understands: Color in all the blank squares below. However, if I wanted to be emphatic, I would write, Color in the blank squares below. Check your work and make sure you don’t miss any. I think it’s far more respectful when you use a separate sentence to express that thought.
Getting even with “even.”
Even you have faults.
You have faults.
Everyone is trying harder. Even he is.
He is trying harder, just like everyone else.
He collects everything, even pennies.
He collects everything, including pennies.
Even when Jim applied himself, his output was average.
When Jim applied himself, his output was average.
Even if you’re extremely lucky, your chances are not very good.
If you’re extremely lucky, your chances are not very good.
My point? “Even” is another one of those words that act as the moral equivalent of a blinking neon sign. Yes, it can be used to express surprise about an unlikely event; however, invariably, I prefer alternative sentences that avoid using the word.
Delete “just”
I want just the facts!
I want the facts!
Just because you’re intelligent doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try hard.
You’re intelligent. Does that mean you shouldn’t try hard?
We got there just in time.
We got there in time.
You get the point.
Write without “that”
I think that you’re intelligent.
I think you’re intelligent.
I say that a person is only human.
I say a person is only human.
I believe that all men are created equal.
I believe all men are created equal.
This is the gift that we give each other, the gift of love.
This is the gift we give each other, the gift of love.
Some sentences require the word “that;” however, it is often unnecessary. When it is, leave it out!
“All,” “even,” “just” and “that:” I am not suggesting you never use those words. I am suggesting that each time you want to use them, you see if you like the sentence better after you rewrite it without that word. Give it a try!
It’s just better writing.
Scratch that. It’s better writing!
