English Competitive: How to Solve Correcting Redundancy and Wordiness

Introduction

Mastering the art of correcting redundancy and wordiness can fetch you a whopping 10-15 marks in competitive exams. This is a game-changer because it's a high-scoring topic that can make a significant difference in your overall score.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW FIRST

Before we dive into the method, make sure you have these grammar and vocabulary basics at your fingertips:

1. Common prepositions: know the most common prepositions like 'in', 'on', 'at', 'by', 'with', etc.
2. Subject-verb agreement: understand the rules for subject-verb agreement, including singular and plural nouns, and collective nouns.
3. Tense chart: be familiar with the different tenses, including present, past, and future simple, continuous, and perfect.

CRYSTAL‑CLEAR METHOD (Step-by-Step)

Here's a step-by-step guide to correcting redundancy and wordiness:

1. Read the sentence carefully: Read the sentence slowly and carefully to identify any words or phrases that seem unnecessary.
2. Identify the redundancy: Look for words or phrases that repeat the same idea or convey the same meaning.
3. Check for wordiness: Check if the sentence is using too many words to convey a simple idea.
4. Simplify the sentence: Try to simplify the sentence by removing unnecessary words or phrases.
5. Check for clarity: Make sure the sentence is clear and concise after simplifying it.

WORKED EXAMPLES

Example 1 – Easy

Original sentence: The manager of the company, who is also the owner, was present at the meeting.

Step-by-Step reasoning:

1. Read the sentence carefully: The sentence seems a bit wordy.
2. Identify the redundancy: The phrase "who is also the owner" is unnecessary because it's already mentioned that the manager is the owner.
3. Simplify the sentence: Remove the redundant phrase to get: The manager, who is also the owner, was present at the meeting.
4. Check for clarity: The sentence is still clear and concise.

Correct answer: The manager, who is also the owner, was present at the meeting.

Tip to remember: When you see a phrase that repeats the same idea, try to remove it to simplify the sentence.

Example 2 – Medium

Original sentence: The company, which is a leading manufacturer of electronic devices, has been in operation for over 20 years.

Step-by-Step reasoning:

1. Read the sentence carefully: The sentence seems a bit wordy.
2. Identify the redundancy: The phrase "which is a leading manufacturer of electronic devices" is unnecessary because it's already implied that the company is a leading manufacturer.
3. Simplify the sentence: Remove the redundant phrase to get: The company has been in operation for over 20 years.
4. Check for clarity: The sentence is still clear and concise.

Correct answer: The company has been in operation for over 20 years.

Tip to remember: When you see a phrase that implies a certain idea, try to remove it to simplify the sentence.

Example 3 – Exam-Style

Original sentence: The new policy, which is aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of the company, has been implemented by the management team.

Step-by-Step reasoning:

1. Read the sentence carefully: The sentence seems a bit wordy.
2. Identify the redundancy: The phrase "which is aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of the company" is unnecessary because it's already implied that the policy is aimed at reducing the carbon footprint.
3. Simplify the sentence: Remove the redundant phrase to get: The new policy has been implemented by the management team.
4. Check for clarity: The sentence is still clear and concise.

Correct answer: The new policy has been implemented by the management team.

Tip to remember: When you see a phrase that implies a certain idea, try to remove it to simplify the sentence.

Common Mistakes

Here are 5 common mistakes students make when correcting redundancy and wordiness:

1. Mistake: Removing a word or phrase that is essential to the sentence's meaning. WHY IT HAPPENS: Students often get carried away with simplifying the sentence and forget to check if the word or phrase is essential. CORRECT APPROACH: Make sure to check if the word or phrase is essential to the sentence's meaning before removing it.
2. Mistake: Not checking for clarity after simplifying the sentence. WHY IT HAPPENS: Students often focus on removing words or phrases without checking if the sentence is still clear and concise. CORRECT APPROACH: Always check for clarity after simplifying the sentence.
3. Mistake: Using jargon or technical terms that are not necessary. WHY IT HAPPENS: Students often try to sound more sophisticated by using jargon or technical terms. CORRECT APPROACH: Use simple language that is easy to understand.
4. Mistake: Not considering the context of the sentence. WHY IT HAPPENS: Students often focus on simplifying the sentence without considering the context. CORRECT APPROACH: Always consider the context of the sentence before simplifying it.
5. Mistake: Not checking for grammatical errors after simplifying the sentence. WHY IT HAPPENS: Students often get carried away with simplifying the sentence and forget to check for grammatical errors. CORRECT APPROACH: Always check for grammatical errors after simplifying the sentence.

EXAM TRAPS

Here are 3 traps examiners set for this topic:

1. Trap: Using ambiguous language that can be interpreted in different ways. How to Spot it: Look for words or phrases that can have multiple meanings. How to Avoid it: Use clear and concise language that is easy to understand.
2. Trap: Using jargon or technical terms that are not necessary. How to Spot it: Look for words or phrases that sound technical or sophisticated. How to Avoid it: Use simple language that is easy to understand.
3. Trap: Not considering the context of the sentence. How to Spot it: Look for sentences that seem out of context or unrelated to the rest of the text. How to Avoid it: Always consider the context of the sentence before simplifying it.

TIME‑SAVING SHORTCUTS

Here are 3 time-saving shortcuts for correcting redundancy and wordiness:

1. Shortcut: Use a thesaurus to find alternative words or phrases that convey the same meaning. Why it saves time: A thesaurus can help you find alternative words or phrases quickly and easily.
2. Shortcut: Use a dictionary to check the meaning of words or phrases you're not familiar with. Why it saves time: A dictionary can help you quickly check the meaning of words or phrases you're not familiar with.
3. Shortcut: Use a grammar guide to check for grammatical errors. Why it saves time: A grammar guide can help you quickly check for grammatical errors and simplify the sentence.

1‑MINUTE RECAP

"Alright, let's recap. To correct redundancy and wordiness, you need to read the sentence carefully, identify the redundancy, simplify the sentence, and check for clarity. Remember to use simple language, consider the context of the sentence, and check for grammatical errors. Don't get carried away with simplifying the sentence, and always check for clarity. Use a thesaurus, dictionary, and grammar guide to save time. Practice makes perfect, so make sure to practice correcting redundancy and wordiness regularly. Good luck on your exam!