Writing Tips
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Index C
- caddie
- caddy
- Caesar
- Caesarean
- Caesarism
- caldron
- Calgarian
- Calgary
- call a halt to
- call an end to
- call into question
- camomile
- Canada
- Canada Day
- Canadian dollar (symbol) (Linguistic recommendation from the Translation Bureau)
- Canadianisms: Prairies
- CANDU
- Candu
- can not
- cannot
- cantaloup
- cantaloupe
- canvas
- canvass
- capable of
- capacity for
- capital
- capitalization: astronomical terms
- capitalization: biological terms
- capitalization: buildings
- capitalization: chemical and medical terms
- capitalization: compounds
- capitalization: copyrighted names
- capitalization: cultural periods
- capitalization: deities
- capitalization: family relationships
- capitalization: general points
- capitalization: geographical terms
- capitalization: governments and government bodies
- capitalization: headings
- capitalization: initial words
- capitalization: institutions
- capitalization: legal usage
- capitalization: lists
- capitalization: medals
- capitalization: military terms
- capitalization: modes of transportation
- capitalization: names of institutions
- capitalization of logos
- capitalization: parts of a book or document
- capitalization: personal names
- capitalization: personifications and abstractions
- capitalization: political parties and movements
- capitalization: publications and works of art
- capitalization: races; languages; peoples
- capitalization: salutation and complimentary close
- capitalization: school subjects
- capitalization: scientific names containing personal names
- capitalization: seasons
- capitalization: SI/metric units
- capitalization: single letters used as words
- capitalization: sporting events and trophies
- capitalization: terms indicating time or sequence
- capitalization: terms related to religion
- capitalization: time references and historical periods and events
- capitalization: words derived from proper nouns
- capitalizing member of Parliament
- capitalizing shortened titles
- capital letters for emphasis
- capitals in titles of office or rank
- Capitol
- carat
- caret
- Cariboo
- caribou
- carousal
- carousel
- carrot
- carrousel
- carry out an examination of
- case law
- cast
- caste
- catalyse
- catalyze
- cater-corner
- catsup
- cauldron
- CDT
- ceed and cede
- CEGEP
- censor
- censure
- centi-
- Central Daylight Time
- Central Standard Time
- centre on
- chamomile
- chaperon
- chaperone
- chapter and verse
- characteristic
- chargeable
- Charlottetonian
- Charlottetown
- Charlottetowner
- Chechen
- check
- check in
- check-in
- cheque
- chord
- Christmas
- circum-
- cite
- City of Gardens
- City of Québec
- classic
- classical
- clear communication: choose positive over negative phrasing
- clear communication: coherence
- clear communication: overview of the writing process and techniques
- clear communication: polish your paragraphs
- clear communication: reduce redundancy
- clear communication: responsibilities of writers
- clear communication: simplify your sentences
- clear communication: transition words
- clear communication: turn nouns into verbs
- clear communication: use clear words and expressions
- clear communication: use the active voice
- clear communication: write clear and effective briefing notes
- clear communication: write relevant and effective emails
- clear verbal communication
- cliché
- close proximity
- close scrutiny
- closure
- cloture
- cluster together
- co-
- collectable
- collectible
- collocate
- colloquial
- co-locate
- colon
- coloration
- colour
- colourful
- combat
- combine
- combine together
- come as a disappointment
- comma after a clause acting as subject
- comma before because
- commas for clarity and emphasis
- commas for omitted words
- commas in a date
- commas in geographical names and addresses
- commas properly omitted
- commas with absolute expressions
- commas with adjective clauses
- commas with adverb clauses
- commas with appositives
- commas with direct address
- commas with interjections
- commas with introductory elements
- commas with names and titles
- commas with non-restrictive elements
- commas with parenthetic expressions
- commas with such as
- commas with tag questions
- commence
- commend for
- commensurate with
- common
- compare
- compare to
- compare with
- compass points
- complement
- completely revolutionize
- complex sentence
- compliment (1)
- compliment (2)
- compliment on
- comply with
- compose
- compound-complex sentence
- compound personal pronouns
- compound sentences
- comprise (1)
- comprise (2)
- concern
- concerned
- concur in
- concur with
- conformity with
- conform to
- conjunctive adverb
- connaisseur
- connoisseur
- consensus
- consensus of opinion
- consistent with
- consist in
- consist of
- constitute
- contend with
- continual
- continuous
- contra-
- contrast
- contrast with
- converge on
- conversant with
- coolist
- co-op
- co-operate
- co-operation
- co-operative
- coordinate elements
- coordinating conjunctions
- Coppermine
- copy
- cord
- correlate with
- correlative conjunctions
- correspond to
- correspond with
- cosy
- could have
- could of
- could’ve
- council
- councillor
- counsel
- counsellor
- counter-
- couple more
- couple of
- courses and degrees
- Cowtown
- cozy
- cracker
- Croat
- Croatian
- CST
- cue
- cue up
- culminate in
- custom
- Cypro-
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Search and Functionalities Area
clear communication: reduce redundancy
"The most valuable of all talents is that of never using two words when one will do."
—Thomas Jefferson
You can lower your word count by eliminating redundancy (useless repetition). This will help make your documents easy to read and understand.
Redundancy isn’t always easy to spot, though; many redundant expressions have become part of everyday language. For instance, a lot of people wouldn’t even bat an eye at "crisis situation," "end result" or "safe haven," even though "crisis," "result" and "haven" have just as much meaning with half the words!
We’re committed to helping you never use two words when one will do. So, we’ve compiled some simple rules to point you in the direction of conciseness:
- Absolute values (very unique)
- Acronym additions (ATM machine)
- Cut “back”
- Good as “new”
- Too much “together”
Absolute values
Do not modify adjectives that express an absolute state. Absolutes do not have different degrees of intensity.
Here are some examples.
| Redundant | Revised |
|---|---|
Saikat was completely certain he had been there before. | Saikat was certain he had been there before. |
It is absolutely essential that you correct this error before it goes to print. | It is essential that you correct this error before it goes to print. |
Janos’ interpretation of that piece was very unique. | Janos’ interpretation of that piece was unique. |
Acronym additions
Do not spell out the final word of these common acronyms:
| Redundant | Revised |
|---|---|
ABS system | ABS |
ATM machine | ATM |
HIV virus | HIV |
ISBN number | ISBN |
LCD display | LCD |
PIN number | PIN |
SIN number | SIN |
UPC code | UPC |
Cut "back"
Delete the word "back" after verbs where the "back" is implied, such as date, recall, refer, reflect, reply and revert.
Here are some examples.
| Redundant | Revised |
|---|---|
Provide your name and e-mail address if you want our communications staff to reply back to you. | Provide your name and e-mail address if you want our communications staff to reply to you. |
I refer you back to paragraph 2(1)(c) of the Income Tax Act. | I refer you to paragraph 2(1)(c) of the Income Tax Act. |
Priya reflected back on the year and tried to pick out the best concert she had been to. | Priya reflected on the year and tried to pick out the best concert she had been to. |
Good as "new"
Delete the adjective "new" when it modifies a noun that is implicitly new.
Here are a few examples.
| Redundant | Revised |
|---|---|
This initiative will promote new innovation and cleaner communities. | This initiative will promote innovation and cleaner communities. |
In the early 1900s, Toronto’s Thomas F. Ryan received accolades for his new invention: five-pin bowling. | In the early 1900s, Toronto’s Thomas F. Ryan received accolades for his invention: five-pin bowling. |
On the first day of training, new recruits watched a documentary on the evolving role of the warden in Canada’s national parks. | On the first day of training, recruits (or new employees) watched a documentary on the evolving role of the warden in Canada’s national parks. |
Too much "together"
Delete the word "together" from phrases where the verb means something like join or assemble. The together is unnecessary because it is implied in the verb.
Here are a few examples.
| Redundant | Revised |
|---|---|
We assumed layoffs would be inevitable once our small firm merged together with a large corporation. | We assumed layoffs would be inevitable once our small firm merged with a large corporation. |
Noora compiled the data together into one spreadsheet. | Noora compiled the data into one spreadsheet. |
Parties tend to rally together around such issues. | Parties tend to rally around such issues. |
Follow these rules and you’ll eliminate some common redundancies in your writing.
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