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# Phrases to cut
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| Cut | Write instead |
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|---|---|
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| It is worth noting that X | X |
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| It is important to understand that X | X |
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| In order to | To |
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| Due to the fact that | Because |
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| At this point in time | Now |
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| Has the ability to | Can |
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| Is able to | Can |
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| A number of | Three (say the number) |
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| Utilize | Use |
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| Leverage (as a verb) | Use |
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| Facilitate | Help, or the specific verb |
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| In the event that | If |
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| Prior to | Before |
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| Subsequent to | After |
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| With regards to | About |
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| Serves to X | X's |
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## Hedge stacking
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One hedge is honest. Two is a smell. Three means you do not know and should say so.
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- "may potentially" - one of the two.
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- "it seems like it might possibly" - "I think", or go and check.
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- "could perhaps be considered" - delete the whole clause.
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The honest version of deep uncertainty is a short sentence: "I do not know why this
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fails. Here is what I ruled out."
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## Openers that add nothing
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Delete these and start with the next sentence:
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- "Great question!"
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- "Let me help you with that."
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- "I'll take a look at this."
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- "Here's a summary of what I found:"
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- "Based on my analysis,"
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## Closers that add nothing
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- "Let me know if you have any questions."
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- "Feel free to reach out if you need anything else."
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- "I hope this helps!"
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- "Would you like me to elaborate on any of these points?"
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## The one thing never to cut
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Uncertainty that is real. "I could not reproduce this" and "I did not test the Windows
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path" are the most valuable sentences in most reports. Keep them, and put them near
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the top.
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