In the ROBERT GUNNING EDITOR, click EDIT WORDY PHRASES to highlight wordiness in your text. Not all highlights mean you must simplify the word or phrase. You’ll need to review each highlight. Based on the context of the sentence, decide if you must edit or not.
Different color highlights mean different types of wordiness. Here is a breakdown:
1. WORDY PHRASE: A yellow highlight means a possible wordy phrase. Remove it if the sentence retains its meaning.
Example: “We are excited to announce the launch of our new Employee Wellness Program.”
Edited: “We are excited to announce our new Employee Wellness Program.”
2. WEAK VERB/NOMINALIZATION: A reddish highlight means the phrase has a weak verb. See if you can use a stronger verb. If the sentence is in passive voice, change it to active voice.
Example: “They got into a disagreement over how best to approach the project.”
Edited: “They disagreed over how best to approach the project.”
3. WORD PAIRS: When you see a pair of words highlighted in green, click on it to find a single word (1-2 syllables) to replace it. If you can’t find a word, leave as is.
Example: “She decided to go ahead with the plan despite some initial reservations.”
Edited: “She decided to start the plan despite some initial reservations.”
4. COMPOUND WORDS: A compound word highlighted in soft purple means you can click on it to replace it with a single word.
Example: The company bought a state-of-the-art computer system to handle orders.
Edited: The company bought a modern computer system to handle orders.
5. NOMINALIZATION: A phrase highlighted in a soft green is a possible nominalization that weakens the sentence. Click on the highlight to replace it with an active verb, if possible.
Example: “The finalization of the deal brought relief to both parties, as they had been negotiating for weeks.”
Edited: “Closing the deal brought relief to both parties, as they had been negotiating for weeks.”
6. INDIRECT VERB: A pair of words highlighted in orange means it is an indirect verb. Click on the highlight to change it to an active verb.
Example: “He wanted to be successful at trading stocks.”
Edited: “He wanted to succeed at trading stocks.”
7. WORDINESS: A phrase highlighted in cyan means it is using extra words to convey an action. Click on the highlight to replace is with a strong verb.
Example: “Jane enjoys being able to work remotely, as it gives him more flexibility.”
Edited: “Jane enjoys working remotely, as it gives her more flexibility.”
8. WEAK VERB: A phrase highlighted in pink means it has a weak verb. Click on the highlight to replace it with a strong verb.
Example: “The sky was getting dark in the background.”
Edited: “The sky was darkening in the background.”
The ROBERT GUNNING EDITOR has hundreds more grammar triggers, which it highlights in purple.
These additional triggers cover:
- Passive Verbs
- Hidden Verbs
- Complex Words
- Abstract Words
- Legal Words
- Clichés
- Business Clichés
- Wordy Phrases
- Overwriting
- Foreign Words
- Unusual Words
- Difficult Words
- Jargon Phrases
- Questionable Words
- Confused Words
- Redundant Phrasing
- Misused Words, etc.
You can download the .txt file of grammar triggers to test more grammar triggers. Import the file or copy and paste the contents into the Robert Gunning Editor, then click “Edit Wordy Phrases.”