a large number of % phrase you mean “many” a substantial number of % phrase how substantial? most? or just enough that can't be ignored? an insufficient number of % phrase “too few” a significant number of % phrase one is significant. consider “prohibitive” if the number is sufficient to be problematic. a number of % phrase getting the verb agreement for this useless phrase is tricky. a number of different % phrase use “different” (should have a high score) a small number of % phrase you mean “few” a low number of % phrase you mean “few” a relatively low number of % phrase you mean “few” actually % spelling probably doesn't add and instead % phrase replace with but? be done % phrase if “X of Y can be done”, try “Y can be Xed”; it's already passive voice. combining multiple % phrase as opposed to “combining one?” aggregating multiple % phrase “aggregating” do this % phrase probably verbose if you use a pronoun for what you're doing exists[ ] % phrase probably no better than “is”, but end of sentence may be unavoidable? if it is to % phrase should be “to” (usually followed by “be X”) if they are to % phrase should be “to” (usually followed by “be X”) in general % phrase unless matched with “in specific,” this is usually useless; perhaps “overall” in order to % phrase remove “in order” and get “to” in the past % phrase past tense is likely enough. in the way of % phrase should be “as” counting the number of % phrase counting. dude. is permitted to % phrase “may” largely opaque % phrase largely does not modify opaque makes a new % phrase should be “creates” may not chose % phrase “may not” is future tense; “chose” is past. one should note % phrase just write it. note that % phrase is the rest of the paper less notable? Note, that % syntax not only should you not “note that”, no comma after note. we note % phrase is the rest of the paper less notable? note however that % phrase is the rest of the paper less notable? it is important to note % phrase is the rest of the paper less notable? really % phrase probably doesn't add; if you think it does, use “r{}eally” – don't change to 'in fact' rigorously % spelling probably doesn't add, and I rarely do anything with rigor the way in which % phrase should be “how” or “” the manner in which % phrase should be “how” or “” value stems % phrase value is derived or offered, I think. time at which % phrase very likely “when” place at which % phrase very likely “where” at the time % phrase very likely “when” reduced number of % phrase very likely “fewer” or maybe maybe “less” is present in % phrase present is probably redudant, try “is in” they all % phrase maybe “all xs” would be better. easy to do % phrase “feasible” or “practical” might be better. is going to % phrase “will”. are going to % phrase “will”. getting % phrase probably “receiving” or “querying” those are % phrase see if “those X are” is clearer? design is motivated % phrase “inspired by” is probably better than “motivated” for design locations throughout the world % phrase drop “throughout the world” e.g., as opposed to % phrase if you're giving examples, you're not talking about what isn't. drop “e.g.” in addition, we also % phrase remove either “also” or “in addition” other related issues % phrase probably remove “other” the aforementioned % phrase “these xs” or “this x” would be less snooty center around % phrase (cook) a center is a point: “center on” is okay. could care less % phrase (cook) 'really? how much less could you care?' (should be couldn't) grouped together % phrase redundant. “grouped” alone should suffice. put together % phrase long: “construct” “build” or “assemble” consistent with each other % phrase redundant. “consistent” suffices. be accomplished with % phrase try “requires” “uses” “needs”? the lack of knowledge of % phrase would “X is unknown” work better? gets to know % phrase you mean “learns” trying to look like % phrase you mean “acting”, “emulating”, or “mimicing” has got to be % phrase “must be” got % phrase try “became” “received” ? gotten % phrase try “helped” ? live in a vacuum % phrase a tired metaphor that makes me want to vomit.
positive impact % phrase try “benefit” negative impact % phrase try “harm” or “consequences” adverse impact % phrase try “harm” or “consequences” adversely impacting % phrase try “harming” or “hurting” discuss the issues of % phrase could probably drop “the issues of” unless there's a list the presence of % phrase not far from 'is', 'has', etc. does not allow % phrase consider “forbids” or “prohibits” and/or % phrase just say or. there is the potential to % phrase just say may. there is the possibility that % phrase just say might. can be achieved % phrase maybe not so good? find out % phrase perhaps determine? in the absence of % phrase perhaps without? in the presence of % phrase perhaps with? set up % phrase perhaps create, configure, or initialize in the face of % phrase can be overused. try despite? several times (at|of) % phrase discouraged by Kurt. a large degree of % phrase ick. we start by first % phrase redundant. (“first, we” or “we start by”). in general, they are usually % phrase redundant. refers to the notion % phrase define your term precisely if possible. a significant amount of % phrase probably just “significant” real practical % phrase as opposed to imaginary practical? people that are % phrase use people who are? additional detail that we add % phrase as opposed to additional detail that we subtract? in some cases and not in others % phrase “in some cases” it is known that % phrase just say it. caused due to % phrase “caused by” a result of the fact that % phrase “caused by” can be attributed to the fact that % phrase “is because” a large set of % phrase probably don't care that it is a set. a small set of % phrase probably don't care that it is a set: use 'a few' provides a look at % phrase (timid) probably mean “shows”. in most cases % phrase “usually” continue into the forseeable future % phrase “continue”. for the forseeable future % phrase drop. fail to successfully % phrase “fail to” is sufficient. Clearly, % syntax starting a sentence with clearly confuses me. in different continents % phrase ON different continents, IN different countries (we|to) handle % phrase use a more specific verb like address, treat, solve handling % phrase use a more specific verb like addressing, treating, solving, mitigating (unless handling errors or exceptions) For the purposes of % phrase “For” We observe that % phrase drop. some degree of % phrase “some” in the problem of % phrase (contributed by rap) conclude several things % phrase make (draw) several conclusions extra bonus % phrase “bonus” added bonus % phrase “bonus” it is important to emphasize that % phrase use diction to emphasize. it is possible that % phrase “x may y” caused due to % phrase “caused by” recent work by % phrase could maybe be dropped, as the cite will include the date. identify the location of % phrase “find” that go across % phrase “that cross” ideally, we would like % phrase “we would like” enabling the ability to % phrase “supporting” or “allowing” or “permitting” absolutely essential % phrase essential is. we essentially do % phrase essentially is a poor adverb. “The essence of our algorithm is a…” Essentially, % phrase maybe “In essence,” but could also be removed. In this section (we|I) % phrase “In this section, we”, or “In this section, I” essentially all % phrase “most” past experience % phrase “experience” www.cmu.edu/styleguide/trickywords.html particulary difficult primarily % phrase simplify intuition about why % phrase “intuition as to why” Recall from above % phrase “recall” Further, (I|we) will also % phrase drop further or also respectively % phrase unneeded. in terms of % phrase don't need this. the extent to which % phrase “how much” make sure % phrase “ensure” make up % phrase “constitute” “compose” make a decision % phrase “decide” make a guess % phrase “guess” since that time % phrase “since then” choices to make % phrase “choices” certain limitations % phrase what does 'certain' add to limitations? will [a-z]* in the future % phrase “will” business entities % phrase “businesses” rely primarily on % phrase “primarily” weakens “rely”. perhaps just “use” would be simpler. has the potential to % phrase can have not yet developed % phrase “have yet to develop” to be effective, % phrase probably redundant. provide information about % phrase “tell how” “reveal” “expose” “disclose” are different, % phrase “differ” have already been % phrase “have been”? “were”? as appropriate % phrase not needed? only rarely % phrase “rarely” is probably enough. is effective at % phrase “can” foremost among them is % phrase “foremost is” would be shorter. those that have no % phrase those without that have no % phrase “without”? a variety of diverse % phrase redundant be highly valuable in % phrase simplify. the overall goal % phrase 'the goal' sometimes an? [a-z]+ will % phrase an x may this is perhaps because % phrase this may be because adding an additional % phrase redundant IP protocol % phrase redundant works well % phrase be more specific. something % phrase could eliminate. to keep from % phrase “to avoid”
- .,
-
since (!then) % phrase probably you mean “because” unless you're talking about time. – “has since” is okay.
performance characteristics % phrase rare that characteristics adds. takes into account % phrase considers specify particular % phrase if specifying, particular should be redundant. prototype implementation % phrase “implementation” is redundant. given a particular % phrase “given a” is probably enough described in detail (in|below) % phrase use “detailed” relatively more % phrase more is already relative. focus primarily on % phrase bad metaphor: subject of focus is singular. primary focus % phrase bad metaphor: subject of focus is singular. relatively more % phrase more is already relative. gives [a-z]+ [a-z]+ information about % phrase use “tells” x gives [a-z]+ information about % phrase use “tells” x an important question to ask is % phrase just ask it. an interesting thing % phrase avoid saying something is interesting. if you have to say it, it isn't. checks to see if % phrase “checks” or “determines” have an effect on % phrase “affect” an important question to ask is % phrase just ask it. an interesting thing % phrase avoid saying something is interesting. if you have to say it, it isn't. checks to see if % phrase “checks” or “determines” we can see % phrase “we can see” isn't formal enough. still remain % phrase “remain”. change over time % phrase “change” turn into % phrase “become” looking back in retrospect % phrase pick. ensures that there will be no % phrase “prevents” does have % phrase “has” first step toward this % phrase “toward this” can probably be dropped. can potentially be % phrase “might be”, or just “can be” obviates the need for % phrase just obviates x, not obviates the need for x. it is indeed % phrase “it is”, though still passive. planning in advance % phrase when else might you plan? a lot of % phrase “many” keep in mind % phrase “consider” (or drop) it is clear that % phrase if clear, you don't have to say it. especially true % phrase true is an absolute, can't be especially true. making it increasingly difficult % phrase preventing, discouraging, impeding, blocking, slowing… is potentially % phrase “may be” have been [a-z]* in the past % phrase 'in the past' is redundant with tense. amount of time % phrase “duration” should ideally % phrase “should” are of great benefit to % phrase “help” or “aid” are of benefit to % phrase “help” or “aid” or “promote” important here % phrase consider “relevant” while at the same time % phrase “while” is enough. are able to % phrase can subvert the proper operation of % phrase subvert speed slow % phrase speed is probably redundant. of size no smaller than % phrase “of size” is probably redundant of size no larger than % phrase “of size” is probably redundant of size smaller than % phrase “of size” is probably redundant of size larger than % phrase “of size” is probably redundant might potentially % phrase “might” in the context of % phrase “in” avoid, if possible. increase the amount of % phrase probably just increase. show the difference between % phrase compare in addition, we also % phrase pick. overhead efficiency % phrase huh? have an effect on % phrase “affect” have a signficant effect on % phrase “affect”