Delete words that don’t add anything to your sentence

We’re (literally) so used to (just) writing these words we may (actually) find that our writing sounds (totally) odd without them. But (generally) once you get in the habit of cutting these words, you (really) won’t miss them.

If one of these words is essential to the meaning of your sentence, keep it! But if not, let it go. To decide whether the word should stay or go, ask yourself these questions:

What is the word adding to your sentence?

If you cut it, does your sentence lose anything?

If you keep it, will you dilute your message?