How to Make Your Legal English Clearer and More Concise
How do you make Legal English more concise? Make Legal English more concise by removing unnecessary phrases, replacing wordy expressions with strong verbs, eliminating repetition, and choosing the simplest wording that accurately expresses your meaning.
We have created a free interactive exercise based on the principles in this lesson. You will rewrite seven examples of wordy professional English and receive immediate feedback explaining what you could improve.
The best thing about it is you don't need a Premium subscription to use it.
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Why direct English is more effective
Compare these two sentences:
The reason why the client decided to cancel the meeting was because he was not feeling well.
and:
The client canceled the meeting because he was not feeling well.
The second sentence is shorter, but that is not its only advantage. It is also easier to understand.
The first sentence makes the reader work through several unnecessary layers before reaching the main point:
The reason why → decided to → was because
The second sentence simply states what happened.
This is particularly important in professional and legal English, where readers often need to process information quickly and accurately.
1. Choose strong verbs
One of the easiest ways to make professional writing more direct is to look for opportunities to replace longer expressions with a single verb.
Instead of:
We made a decision to postpone the launch.
Write:
We decided to postpone the launch.
Or:
Instead of:
The new regulations had an impact on the way the company operates.
Write:
The new regulations affected the way the company operates.
The longer versions are not grammatically wrong. They are simply less economical.
A useful editing question is:
Can I replace this group of words with one precise verb?
If the answer is yes, the shorter version will often be stronger.
2. Remove unnecessary introductory phrases
Professional writers sometimes add phrases that sound formal but contribute very little meaning.
For example:
It is important to note that all employees are required to complete the training before the end of the month.
What does “It is important to note that” actually tell the reader?
Very little.
You can simply write:
All employees must complete the training before the end of the month.
The information has not changed. The sentence has simply become more direct.
Other phrases worth questioning include:
At this point in time
Due to the fact that
In order to
It should be noted that
For the purpose of
In the event that
Often, there is a simpler alternative:
at this point in time → now
due to the fact that → because
in order to → to
it should be noted that → [delete it]
for the purpose of → for / to
in the event that → if
The longer expression may sound more formal, but formal does not necessarily mean professional.
3. Cut unnecessary words
Consider this sentence:
At this point in time, we are currently reviewing the documents that you sent to us.
There are several opportunities to tighten it.
We are reviewing the documents you sent.
The meaning is essentially unchanged, but the reader gets to the important information much faster.
This is particularly useful in emails.
Instead of:
I am writing this email in order to ask you if you could possibly send me the revised contract.
Try:
Please send me the revised contract.
That version is not rude. It is simply clear about what you need.
4. Don't confuse being concise with being abrupt
Being concise does not mean removing every polite expression or turning every sentence into a command.
Compare:
Send me the contract.
with:
Please send me the revised contract in the next 48 hours so we have time to review it.
The second version is still direct, but it is appropriately polite and provides a specific deadline and reasoning.
The goal is not to make your writing as short as possible.
We look at this to some degree in Legal English: Terms of Art, Legalese, and Plain English.
A professional message needs to be clear, but it also needs to consider the relationship with the reader, the context, and the purpose of the communication.
5. Give the reader a clear path through your writing
Before you edit a sentence, ask yourself three questions:
What am I trying to say?
What does the reader need to know?
Which words actually help me say it?
Then look for:
unnecessary introductions
repeated ideas
weak verb phrases
excessive nominalizations
unnecessary qualifiers
complicated alternatives to simple words
You do not need to eliminate every longer expression. Sometimes a longer construction is exactly right.
The objective is precision, not minimalism.
Try it yourself
Reading about concise writing is useful. Practicing it is better.
The exercise starts with straightforward examples and finishes with a more challenging sentence containing several opportunities to cut unnecessary words.
A simple rule for your communication
Before you send your next professional email, take 30 seconds to look for one sentence you can make shorter.
Ask:
Can I say this more directly without losing meaning, accuracy, or appropriate tone?
If you can, do it.
And that is one of the simplest ways to make your professional English more effective.
Interactive Exercise: Make Your Legal English More Direct
Take your Legal English further
Making legal English shorter is one thing, but knowing how to communicate clearly, precisely, and professionally is another.
Explore more Macson Bell lessons, interactive exercises, and self-study resources for legal professionals.
