wordiness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "wordiness" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a style of writing that uses more words than necessary, often making the text less clear or concise. Example: "The report was criticized for its wordiness, making it difficult for readers to grasp the main points."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

41 human-written examples

The wordiness of Lincoln is hardly optional, as Tony Kushner's screenplay concentrates on the manoeuvring to get the Thirteenth Amendment, abolishing slavery, passed before the Confederate army surrendered – thereby killing the support of those who favoured the measure only as a way of ending the war.

The Guardian - Film

Yet no one has seen fit to prune his excessive use of alliteration ("zenith of their ziggurat"; "doleful ditties on ditzy dames") or pomposity and wordiness.

Independent

I like the unabashed wordiness of their argument, as the demands of duty are wrestled with, at length.

The New Yorker

Such wordiness seems unjust to Firth, who is perfectly capable of showing any congestion of spirit by body language alone.

The New Yorker

Seidensticker can sound too cut-and-dried, while Washburn errs on the side of wordiness.

The New Yorker

Margerie suggested characters and plot turns, added sentences, and cut back Lowry's wordiness.

The New Yorker

But his wordiness starts to pall.

Independent

Our next question is from Laurie Fendrich, a self-identified professor who is "exasperated by continually encountering students who have earned high SAT verbal scores who nevertheless write essays marked by poor grammar, weak vocabulary, poor punctuation, lack of structure, organization and clear argumentation, and – worst of all – wordiness".

The New York Times

Although the Ogre's wordiness is attributed to his having eaten a librarian, presumably his biographer lacks that excuse.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

BARACK OBAMA gave a speech to the Human Rights Campaign, a gay-rights group, over dinner on Saturday night.It was a masterpiece of weasel-wordiness.

The Economist

Both require precision and an abjuring of over-wordiness.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When revising your writing, actively look for opportunities to replace phrases with single, more precise words to eliminate "wordiness" and improve clarity.

Common error

Avoid using unnecessarily complex vocabulary or sentence structures in an attempt to sound more intelligent or sophisticated. Prioritize clarity and directness over perceived complexity.

Linguistic Context

The word "wordiness" functions primarily as a noun. It typically refers to the quality or state of using more words than necessary to express an idea. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing its use in contexts discussing writing style and clarity.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

56%

Formal & Business

19%

Science

13%

Less common in

Academia

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "wordiness" refers to the quality of using more words than necessary. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms that it's grammatically correct and commonly used, primarily in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts. To avoid "wordiness" in your own writing, prioritize conciseness, use active voice, and eliminate redundant phrases. Remember, clarity is often more impactful than complexity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

verbosity

Emphasizes the use of more words than necessary, often suggesting a deliberate choice to be verbose.

prolixity

Indicates an excessive length and detail in speech or writing, often to the point of being tedious.

long-windedness

Describes speech or writing that continues for too long and is indirect or rambling.

circumlocution

Refers to speaking in a roundabout way, often to avoid a direct or difficult topic.

redundancy

Highlights the unnecessary repetition of words or ideas.

tautology

Indicates the repetition of the same idea in different words, often in a way that is logically unnecessary.

diffuseness

Suggests a lack of clarity and conciseness, resulting in a scattered and rambling style.

padding

Refers to adding unnecessary words or details to fill space or make something seem more substantial.

pleonasm

The use of more words than are necessary to convey meaning, either as a fault of style or for emphasis.

logorrhea

Describes excessive and often incoherent talkativeness or wordiness.

FAQs

How can I identify "wordiness" in my writing?

Look for phrases that can be shortened without losing meaning. Also, identify sentences with redundant words or phrases. Using a tool like Ludwig can help pinpoint areas where you can be more concise.

What are some strategies for reducing "wordiness"?

Use active voice instead of passive voice, eliminate redundant words, and replace phrases with single, stronger words. Tools like Ludwig's paraphraser can suggest more concise alternatives.

What's the difference between "wordiness" and verbosity?

"Wordiness" generally refers to using more words than necessary, while "verbosity" often implies a conscious choice to be excessively wordy, sometimes to impress or obscure.

Is "wordiness" always a bad thing in writing?

While conciseness is generally valued, "wordiness" can sometimes be used intentionally for stylistic effect, such as to create a specific tone or rhythm. However, it should be used sparingly and with purpose.