SAT: Concision & Editing Glossary

A sentence construction where the subject performs the action. Generally more concise and direct than passive voice.

A noun or noun phrase placed next to another noun to rename or describe it. Appositives are more concise than relative clauses for adding identifying information.

Expressing ideas in the fewest words necessary without sacrificing clarity, meaning, or important nuance. The goal of concision is efficiency, not brevity for its own sake.

Converting a verb into a noun form, often making the sentence wordier. Example: 'decide' becomes 'make a decision,' 'analyze' becomes 'conduct an analysis.'

A sentence construction where the subject receives the action. Often wordier than active voice and may obscure who is performing the action.

The use of two or more words or phrases that express the same idea, making one of them unnecessary.

An opening phrase that announces what the writer is about to say without adding content. Examples: 'It is worth noting that,' 'It goes without saying that.'

Using more words than necessary to express an idea. Wordy writing is not necessarily wrong -- it is just inefficient.