Study guide
4.2 Concision and Eliminating Redundancy
ACCUPLACER Writing Study Guide Exam
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1 Introduction & ACCUPLACER Writing Overview
1.1 About the ACCUPLACER Writing Test 1.2 Test-Taking Strategies & Passage-Based Revision
2 Expression of Ideas: Development
2.1 Proposition, Thesis Statements, and Topic Sentences 2.2 Supporting Details, Evidence, and Textual Relevance 2.3 Audience, Rhetorical Purpose, and Essay Focus
3 Expression of Ideas: Organization
3.1 Logical Sentence and Paragraph Sequence 3.2 Transitional Words and Cohesive Devices 3.3 Effective Introductions, Conclusions, and Summary Sentences
4 Expression of Ideas: Effective Language Use
4.1 Precision and Contextual Vocabulary 4.2 Concision and Eliminating Redundancy 4.3 Style, Tone, and Formal Academic Diction 4.4 Sentence Combination, Syntactic Variety, and Structure
5 Standard English Conventions: Sentence Structure
5.1 Sentence Fragments, Run-Ons, and Comma Splices 5.2 Parallel Structure in Lists and Compound Elements 5.3 Misplaced, Dangling, and Illogical Modifiers 5.4 Subordination, Coordination, and Clause Relationships
6 Standard English Conventions: Conventions of Usage
6.1 Subject-Verb Agreement 6.2 Pronoun Agreement, Antecedent Clarity, and Pronoun Case 6.3 Verb Tense, Sequence, and Aspect 6.4 Frequently Confused Words and Idiomatic Prepositions
7 Standard English Conventions: Conventions of Punctuation
7.1 End-of-Sentence Punctuation and Comma Rules 7.2 Semicolons, Colons, and Dashes 7.3 Apostrophes, Possessives, and Quotation Marks
4.2 Concision and Eliminating Redundancy
Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI
Concision means expressing ideas clearly and comprehensively in the fewest possible words.
Redundancy occurs when modifiers repeat the meaning of the words they modify.
Eliminate empty phrases, passive voice, and unnecessary nominalizations.
The correct answer must be concise without losing essential information or altering the meaning.
Last updated: July 2026
The Importance of Concision
In academic and professional writing, concision is a highly valued trait. Concision means expressing your ideas clearly and comprehensively in the fewest possible words. On the ACCUPLACER Writing test, you will frequently be asked to identify and correct sentences that are wordy, repetitive, or unnecessarily complex. The goal is not just to make sentences shorter, but to make them more impactful and easier to read.
Understanding Wordiness
Wordiness occurs when a sentence uses more words than necessary to convey its meaning. This can dilute the main point and frustrate the reader. Wordy sentences often contain 'filler' words, passive voice, or convoluted structures that can be simplified.
Example of Wordiness: Due to the fact that it was raining, we made the decision to cancel the outdoor event. Concise Revision: Because it was raining, we canceled the outdoor event.
Notice how the concise revision eliminates the clunky phrase 'Due to the fact that' and replaces 'made the decision to cancel' with the stronger, more direct verb 'canceled'.
Identifying Redundancy
Redundancy is a specific type of wordiness where information is repeated unnecessarily. This often happens when a writer uses a modifier that is already implied by the word it modifies.
Redundant Phrase Concise Alternative Reason
Advance warning Warning A warning, by definition, is given in advance.
End result Result A result occurs at the end of a process.
Free gift Gift A gift is inherently free.
Past history History History always deals with the past.
Unexpected surprise Surprise A surprise is always unexpected.
When reviewing sentences for redundancy, look for words that mean the same thing placed close together. If removing a word doesn't change the meaning of the sentence, it's likely redundant.
Common Sources of Wordiness
Beyond redundancy, several other patterns contribute to wordy writing. Being able to spot these will help you on the exam.
Empty Phrases : Phrases like 'for all intents and purposes', 'in the event that', and 'it is important to note that' often add nothing to the meaning.
Wordy : In the event that it snows, school will be closed.
Concise : If it snows, school will be closed.
Passive Voice : While not always wrong, passive voice often requires more words than active voice and can sound indirect.
Wordy : The ball was thrown by the boy.
Concise : The boy threw the ball.
Overuse of Nouns (Nominalization) : Turning verbs into nouns often requires adding weak verbs like 'make', 'do', or 'give'.
Wordy : The committee held a discussion about the new policy.
Concise : The committee discussed the new policy.
Circumlocution : Beating around the bush or using a long description instead of a specific word.
Wordy : The person who is in charge of managing the finances...
Concise : The treasurer...
Strategies for Eliminating Wordiness
When tackling concision questions, use these strategies:
Identify the Core Meaning : Strip the sentence down to its essential subject, verb, and object. What is the main action? Who is performing it?
Target Redundancy : Scan for modifiers that duplicate the meaning of the words they modify (e.g., 'absolutely essential').
Strengthen Verbs : Replace weak verb-noun phrases ('make an announcement') with strong action verbs ('announce').
Remove Filler : Cross out introductory phrases or transitional fluff that doesn't add logical value.
Passage-Based Revision Example
Original Passage: The reason why the experiment failed is because of the fact that the temperature was not properly monitored by the lab technicians. In a period of two hours, the solution reached a boiling point unexpectedly. It is absolutely essential that close attention is paid to the thermostat in future experiments.
Question: Which choice provides the most concise revision of the first sentence? Options:
A) The experiment failed because the lab technicians did not properly monitor the temperature.
B) The reason for the failure of the experiment was due to the lab technicians not monitoring the temperature.
C) Because of the fact that the temperature was not monitored properly by the technicians, the experiment failed.
D) NO CHANGE
Breakdown: The original sentence is cluttered with wordy phrases: 'The reason why', 'is because of the fact that', and it uses passive voice ('was not properly monitored by'). Option A is the best choice because it eliminates the filler and uses active voice ('technicians did not properly monitor'), conveying the exact same meaning much more directly.
Question: How can the phrase 'In a period of two hours' be revised for maximum concision? Options:
- A) In a two-hour period of time
- B) During the timeframe of two hours
- C) Over the course of two hours
- D) Within two hours
Breakdown: 'Within two hours' conveys the exact same temporal boundary as the longer phrases, without the unnecessary words 'period', 'time', or 'course'. It is the most direct and concise option.
The Student Trap: Shorter Isn't Always Better
While concision is important, a common trap is assuming that the absolute shortest answer is always correct. The correct answer must be concise without losing essential information or altering the intended meaning . Sometimes, a slightly longer option is necessary for grammatical correctness or to preserve an important nuance. Always check that the meaning remains intact after you've eliminated words.