(a.k.a. weak constructions)

An expletive construction, like buzzwords, can be removed without affecting the sentence's meaning. You have probably heard the word "expletive" to describe curse words. An expletive construction needlessly fills a vacancy in a sentence. The most common forms of expletive constructions have two characteristics:

• they contain a pronoun that refers to no specific noun + [to be]

• they are placed at beginning of independent clause

For example,

There are many students in the class.

There may be something we can do about the problem.

It is a good idea not to oversleep on a test day.

In these cases, we have pronouns ("there" and "it") that don't refer to any specific nouns—something that, by definition, a pronoun must do. Therefore, these pronouns are essentially meaningless. On top of that, these meaningless pronouns aren't doing anything; they're simply existing (the [to be] verbs). Worse still, these meaningless pronouns that are simply existing appear in the most important place in the entire sentence! They act as the subjects and verbs of these sentences!

Notice how easy it is to replace these expletive constructions with subjects and verbs that have meaning:

Many students are in the class.

We may be able to do something about the problem.

Not oversleeping on a test day is a good idea.

Words are powerful tools. Make sure that you fill your sentences with words that actually have a function to perform, and then let them do their jobs.

A concise sentence contains only the number of words necessary to achieve its effect or to convey its message. Every word serves a purpose in a concise sentence.  Because it is free of unnecessary words and convoluted constructions that interfere with the intended meaning of the sentence, a concise sentence is also clear and powerful.

Nonessential words (buzzwords, utility words, deadwood phrases, or empty words) might sound meaningful or even important, but they usually contribute no real meaning. They are usually so general, so broad, so vague that they mean nothing.

Common buzzwords

• NOUNS:  aspect, idea, situation, element, factor, kind, type, quality, characteristic, scope, angle, area, thing, sort

• MODIFIERS: absolutely, very, awfully, definitely, fine, nice, great, major, really, good, bad, significant, important, basically, completely

Before you turn in a final essay, go over your rough drafts to look for buzzwords. When you remove them, does your meaning change? If so, can you replace the buzzword with a meaningful, vivid, active word?
 
 

—adapted in part from materials by Dr. Nancy Chick