Dec
6th
Thu
6th
Orwell Explained, Rule 3: Cutting words
“If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.”
This is good advice but George didn’t follow it. It should be:
“If you can cut a word, cut it.”
Few words say more than many. In the second part of George’s sentence, you can delete words without changing the meaning. The result is punchier. “Cut it” is more demanding than “always cut it out”. It’s an order.
In the first part we can delete “out” no problem. But cutting more words requires rephrasing. “It is possible to” just means “you can” doesn’t it? In this context, yes. So replace.
A side effect is getting the word “you” in. Readers remember sentences directed at “you” much better than phrases directed at nobody in particular.