BREVITY

by Edwin A. AbbottDecember 2nd, 2023

Too Long; Didn't Read

46. Metaphor is briefer than literal statement. General terms are briefer, though less forcible, than particular terms. 47 a. A phrase may sometimes be expressed by a word. Participles may often be used as brief (though sometimes ambiguous) equivalents of phrases containing Conjunctions and Verbs. Participles, Adjectives, Participial Adjectives, and Nouns may be used as equivalents for phrases containing the Relative. A statement may sometimes be briefly implied instead of being expressed at length. Conjunctions may be omitted. Adverbs, e.g. "very," "so." Exaggerated epithets, e.g. "incalculable," "unprecedented."

How to Write Clearly: Rules and Exercises on English Composition by Edwin Abbott Abbott, is part of the HackerNoon Books Series. You can jump to any chapter in this book here. II. BREVITY.

II. BREVITY.

46. Metaphor is briefer than literal statement.

General terms are briefer, though less forcible, than particular terms.

47 a. A phrase may sometimes be expressed by a word.

Participles may often be used as brief (though sometimes ambiguous) equivalents of phrases containing Conjunctions and Verbs.
Participles, Adjectives, Participial Adjectives, and Nouns may be used as equivalents for phrases containing the Relative.
A statement may sometimes be briefly implied instead of being expressed at length.
Conjunctions may be omitted. Adverbs, e.g. "very," "so." Exaggerated epithets, e.g. "incalculable," "unprecedented."

51 a. The imperative may be used for "if &c."

Apposition may be used, so as to convert two sentences into one.
Condensation may be effected by not repeating (1) the common Subject of several Verbs; (2) the common Object of several Verbs or Prepositions.
Tautology. Repeating what may be implied.
Parenthesis maybe used with advantage to brevity. See 26.
Brevity often clashes with clearness. Let clearness be the first consideration.

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This book is part of the public domain. Edwin Abbott Abbott (2007). How to Write Clearly: Rules and Exercises on English Composition. Urbana, Illinois: Project Gutenberg. Retrieved https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/22600/pg22600.html

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