When off is a preposition, the phrase off of could almost always be shortened to just off. The unnecessary of is common in informal speech and writing, though, and using it is never a serious usage error. But writers who value concision can avoid it. Examples For example, of could be removed ... Read more
Outside of
When the phrase outside of functions adverbially or prepositionally, of could almost always be removed with no loss of meaning. For example, of serves no purpose in these sentences and could be removed: For the June 6 meeting, police were waiting outside of the packed auditorium in case the large ... Read more
During the course of
During the course of is wordy for during. It's slightly different from in the course of, which is often replaceable with other prepositions like in, over, and while. And while during is usually the best replacement for during the course of, in and on are sometimes better. Examples In each of ... Read more
In the midst of
The wordy phrase in the midst of could almost always be shortened to amid, among, during, or in (or, for non-U.S. writers, amidst). In some cases, the phrase could be removed outright. There's nothing strictly incorrect about using in the midst of, though, so use it if you think it sounds better ... Read more
In the course of
In the course of is wordy for during, in, over, or while. There are rare instances in which in the course of is appropriate (especially when course is meaningful or denotes an actual route or path), but in most cases the phrase could be shortened to a one-word equivalent. Examples In each of the ... Read more
That which
The phrase that which often could be shortened to one-word equivalent pronouns such as what and whatever. The main exception is when that which refers to an antecedent. Examples In these examples, that which is just a wordy way of saying what and could be shortened: That which has been obvious ... Read more
Point in time
The common phrase point in time could usually be shortened to just point or time. If neither of those words sounds right, there are other alternatives such as moment, second, and instant, which get across that we are talking about time. Point in time is sometimes useful, though. It may indicate ... Read more
In the affirmative
In the affirmative is wordy for yes. Like many phrases from legal jargon, in the affirmative is useful if you need absolute clarity, but in most contexts the wordiness is unnecessary. In the affirmative could almost always be replaced with affirmatively or simply yes. Examples In each of these ... Read more
As yet, as of yet
The common phrases as yet and as of yet are wordy for yet or still (or so far, which often works as a shorter alternative to as of yet). Using one of these phrases is not an error, but they are verbose. Examples In these examples, as yet and as of yet could be replaced with yet or so far: Not a ... Read more
Basis (on a daily basis, on a regular basis, etc.)
The common phrases on a daily basis and on a regular basis are wordy for daily and regularly. The same applies to similar constructions such as on an hourly basis, on a yearly basis, and so on. Such phrases can usually be shortened to single-word adverbial equivalents. Wordier basis-based ... Read more
