Being wordy doesn’t mean writing long, complex sentences; long, complex sentences are perfectly acceptable. Being wordy means failing to use only the words you absolutely need, and no more. Wordiness is often a sign of pretentiousness or an attempt to sound official. If you see phrases like being that or in regards to the fact that, you know you’re dealing with a writer who’s not nearly as smart as she thinks she is.

These undesirable phrases are italicized in the examples below.

Wordy: This atrocious children’s book explains the mystery as to why dogs bark.
Better: This atrocious children’s book explains the mystery of why dogs bark.

Wordy: Being that you ate the last maraschino cherry, you should buy a new jar.
Better: Because you ate the last maraschino cherry, you should buy a new jar.

Wordy: Due to the fact that she made a spectacular save in the fourth quarter, Min was named MVP.
Better: As a result of her spectacular save in the fourth quarter, Min was named MVP.

Wordy: In the event that the fire alarm sounds, run screaming from the building.
Better: If the fire alarm sounds, run screaming from the building.

Wordy: The memo in regards to orange wipes was circulated throughout the office.
Better: The memo about orange wipes was circulated throughout the office.

Wordy: The reason why Barbie’s hair is ruined is that I gave her a bath.
Better: Barbie’s hair is ruined because I gave her a bath.

Wordy: I was unaware of the fact that Christopher lost his boots.
Better: I didn’t know that Christopher lost his boots.

Wordy: Henry will be out tomorrow owing to the fact that he has chicken pox.
Better: Henry will be out tomorrow because he has chicken pox.