Avoid using vague nouns

Try to avoid using the following vague, all-purpose nouns, which sometimes lead to wordiness, especially when used in prepositional phrases.

• factor
• aspect
• area
• situation
• consideration
• degree
• case

Examples

Vague: Consumer demand is rising in the area of services.
Precise: Consumers are demanding more services.

Vague: Strong reading skills are an important factor in students’ success in college.
Precise: Students’ success in college depends on their reading skills.

Vague: Photography took on new aspects during the Civil War.
Precise: The Civil War saw the advent of graphic battlefield photography.