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LIC & Neutral Language



Removing Words With Low Information Content

Words with low information content (LIC) are also known as empty words. They are words that are not needed in your reports, because they do not contribute to the message, facts, or content. Instead, they detract from the clarity of the sentence you're trying to write.

Most words with low information content are actually phrases we get into the habit of using when we write. Perhaps we think the phrases make our sentences sound better, or maybe it's just the way we say things when we speak. Either way, when writing reports, you want to be as to-the-point as possible. While you don't want to omit information or facts, you want to leave out anything that could muddle up your message. Words with low information content can do just that.

Take a look at the two partial sentences below.

"These policies will effect an improvement on…"

"In order to make sure the work is completed…"

Can you identify the words with low information content?

Let's rewrite the partial sentences without the words with low information content.

"These policies will improve on…"

"To make sure the work is completed…"

The table below lists commonly used words and phrases that have low information content. The words and phrases are listed in the column on the left. The column on the right shows the shorter way to say it. If you see an ""X"" in the right column, avoid using the word in the reports you write.


LIC Word Use Instead
Actually X
A number of Use the actual number, or use ""many,"" or ""several""
As a means of For, to
As necessary X
At the rate of At
At the same time While
Bring to a conclusion Conclude
By means of By
Communicate with Talk, telephone, write
Connected together Connected
Contact Talk to, telephone, write
Due to the fact that Because
During the time that While
End result Result
Exhibit a tendency Tend
For a period of For (write the time)
For this reason Because
In the event that If
In the form of As
In the neighborhood of, in vicinity of Nearly, approximate, about
Involves the use of Uses, employs
Is designed to be Is
It can be seen that We see, we found, they see, they found, etc.
It is considered desirable I want to…
In an area where Where
In an effort to To
In close proximity to Close to, near
In connection with About
In fact X
In order to To
In such a manner as To
In terms of For, in
In the course of During
It will be necessary to I must, we must
In the direction of Toward
Of considerable magnitude Large
On account of Because
Prior to Before
Subsequent to After
With the aid of With

Check for words with low information content as you edit your report. We will talk more about editing in a later lesson.


Overused and Cliched Words and Expressions.

Overused and clichéd words and expressions can be worse than using words with low information content. They can make your report seem wordy or – even worse – insincere and arrogant.

We've listed some of these expressions in the table below. When you edit your report, you should eliminate words and phrases like these.


A matter of concern In the long run
All things equal In the matter of
As a last resort It stands to reason
As a matter of fact Last but not least
As per Many and diverse
Attached hereto Needless to say
At this point in time On the right track
By no means Par for the course
Conspicuous by its absence Please feel free to
Easier said than done Pursuant to your request
Enclosed herewith Regarding the matter of
For your information… Slowly but surely
In reference to This will acknowledge
In short supply We wish to state
In the foreseeable future With reference to
  You are hereby advised…

Using Gender Neutral Language

Whenever possible, you should avoid using gender specific pronouns in your report. You cannot assume a secretary is a female. or an electrician is a male. You also can't assume the person who sells you toilet paper is a salesman, and not a saleswoman.

Take a look at the examples below.

Instead of writing, "The secretary will print the reports. She will mail them tomorrow," write, "The secretary will print the reports and mail them tomorrow."

Instead of writing, "The electrician will arrive tomorrow morning, and he will fix the light fixtures," write ""The electrician will arrive tomorrow morning to fix the light fixtures."

The same is true for job titles. Always use the non-gender specific job title. Use chairperson instead of chairman or chairwoman. Use salesperson instead of salesman or saleswoman. Instead of repairman, use service technician. Instead of cowboy, use cattle rancher. All of this may seem a little too politically correct to some of you; however, you're writing for an audience regarding business matters. You do not want to offend or alienate anyone.




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