Wordiness Checker
Paste a draft and the checker highlights each wordy phrase from a built-in list of 47 — due to the fact that, at this point in time, the majority of — and shows the shorter replacement and how many words it saves. You can apply a fix one phrase at a time or all at once. It matches exact phrases only, so it is a quick trim, not a full edit. Free, no sign-up, and nothing is uploaded.
How to Use the Wordiness Checker
- Paste your text. The stats and highlights update as you type, and nothing leaves your browser.
- Read the three numbers. Total words, wordy phrases found and potential word savings — the words in each phrase minus the words in its replacement, added up.
- Review each suggested fix. The list shows the phrase, the replacement and the words saved. Click Apply to swap one phrase in your text, or Apply All for every one.
- Reread each sentence after applying. A replacement can leave the grammar around it slightly off. Edit the text in the box if it does, then keep going.
What It Replaces
The list holds 47 phrases that each have a one- or two-word equivalent. They fall into a few families, and these are the patterns worth learning, because the tool only knows the exact forms below:
| Pattern | Wordy | Concise |
|---|---|---|
| Reasons | due to the fact that, in view of the fact that, owing to the fact that | because |
| Concession | in spite of the fact that, despite the fact that | although |
| Time | at this point in time, at the present time, in the near future, prior to, subsequent to | now, now, soon, before, after |
| Quantity | a large number of, a small number of, the majority of | many, a few, most |
| Ability | has the ability to, is able to | can |
| Noun-heavy verbs | give consideration to, take into consideration, make a decision, conduct an investigation of | consider, consider, decide, investigate |
| Empty openers | it is important to note that, there is no doubt that, it is possible that | note that, undoubtedly, perhaps |
| Padding pairs | each and every, first and foremost | every, first |
Why Cut Them
Wordy phrases make a reader spend attention on words that carry nothing. Writing guides such as Purdue OWL’s conciseness handouts list many of the same swaps, and the common advice for academic prose is to say each thing once, in as few words as keep it exact. A tighter sentence is also easier to cite, quote and defend. Do not cut for its own sake: a methods section that must state a limit, or a word-count limit you are trying to meet, are the cases where a precise phrase can be worth its length.
Where the Checker Falls Short
- Exact forms only. take into consideration is in the list; took into consideration and taking into consideration are not. make a decision is listed; made a decision is not.
- Replacements do not repair all of the grammar around them. The majority of the participants becomes Most of the participants (the of is kept before the, these, them and similar words), but the swap is mechanical, so reread each sentence after you apply a fix.
- Some swaps change tone or force. It is possible that becomes perhaps, which shifts a hedge from a clause to an adverb; whether or not becomes whether, which is wrong when or not ends the clause (She asked whether or not.).
- It does not read for sense. It finds phrases from a list and cannot tell if a longer phrase is doing a job.
Worked Example
The paragraph below has 36 words and five matches, with 14 words of potential savings. After Apply All it has 22 words:
Before (36 words)
Due to the fact that the sample was small, the authors will take into consideration a second round. At this point in time the team is able to run it, in order to confirm the effect.
After (22 words)
Because the sample was small, the authors will consider a second round. Now the team can run it, to confirm the effect.
The matches were due to the fact that (−4), take into consideration (−2), at this point in time (−4), is able to (−2) and in order to (−2). You might still delete Now by hand — it is not on the list, so the checker leaves it.
Which Tool Do You Need?
| The problem is… | Use |
|---|---|
| Known wordy phrases with a one-click shorter replacement | This Wordiness Checker |
| Stock intensifiers and filler such as very, really, just, kind of | Filler Word Finder |
| Words ending in -ly | Adverb Finder |
| Sentences full of function words, wherever the wordiness comes from | Sticky Sentence Checker |
| Abstract noun forms and make a decision-style phrases beyond this list | Nominalization Finder |
| Worn-out expressions such as think outside the box | Cliché Finder |
In order to appears in both this tool and the Filler Word Finder; here it comes with a replacement (to).
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does the wordiness checker do?
- It looks for 47 known wordy phrases in your text, such as due to the fact that and at this point in time, highlights them, suggests a shorter replacement (because, now) and totals the words you would save. You apply each fix yourself.
- How much shorter will my text get?
- The tool shows the exact number. Each phrase saves the difference in word count between the phrase and its replacement: in spite of the fact that to although saves five words, prior to to before saves one, so the total depends on which phrases you use. The sample paragraph above drops from 36 words to 22.
- Will applying a fix change my meaning?
- Usually not, but check. Most swaps are standard equivalents, but a few shift tone or force: it is possible that becomes perhaps, and whether or not becomes whether. Reread each sentence after you apply a fix.
- Why does it miss a phrase I know is wordy?
- It matches exact wording from its list. A different verb form (took into consideration), an extra word in the middle or a phrase not on the list will not be found.
- Is wordiness always bad in academic writing?
- No. Clarity and exactness come first. Cut phrases that add nothing, but keep wording a reader needs, and respect required forms such as the fixed language of a legal or medical notice.
- Does applying all fixes make my essay better?
- It makes it shorter and removes some padding. It cannot fix a vague argument or weak structure. Use it as a first pass and finish with a manual read.
- Is my text uploaded?
- No. The matching and the replacements run entirely in your browser.