Trying to cut words in an abstract? When you are just a few words over the limit, shortening an already short text can be challenging. In a longer piece – a journal article, a book manuscript – you can often remove sentences, paragraphs, or even whole sections. However, when working with a text like an abstract, cutting words means you have to do exactly that: remove one word here, another word there.
Here are some easy ways you can get your abstract to the right length:
Techniques to Cut Words in an Abstract
1. Replace Phrasal Verbs with Latinate Verbs
You don’t have to eliminate all phrasal verbs, but if you need to cut words in a short text, replacing them with latinate verbs will cut at least one word in each instance. Some common phrasal verbs and possible replacements in academic writing include:
- set up -> establish (1 word cut)
- look into -> investigate, examine (1 word cut)
- look at -> explore, analyse (1 word cut)
- get rid of -> eliminate (2 words cut)
- bring up -> raise (1 word cut)
- help out -> support (1 word cut)
- come up -> appear (1 word cut)
2. Change Constructions Using “of” to Apostrophe + S
Some constructions with “of” can be shortened using an apostrophe + s, cutting one or two words.
- The findings of the study… -> The study’s findings… (2 words cut)
3. Omit Intensifiers and Similar Unnecessary Words
Benjamin Dreyer, the author of Dreyer’s English, suggests improving your writing by going without what he calls “Wan Intensifiers” and “Throat Clearers” for a week: very, rather, really, quite, in fact, just, so, pretty, of course, surely, that said, actually.
4. Check of Repetitions
Another technique that will help you cut words in an abstract is from the same book. Look for the “trimmables” – words which are obviously redundant “though their obviousness doesn’t stop them from showing up constantly” (Dreyer). The list provided in Dreyer’s English is too long for this post, but examples include:
- continue on
- exact same
- follow after
- end result
- few in number
If you do want the full list, it has been shared online.
5. Shorten Prepositional Phrases
Many prepositional phrases can easily be shortened without any change in meaning.
- in order to -> to (2 words cut)
- with regard to -> considering (2 words cut)
- with a view to -> for (3 words cut)
- during the course of -> during (3 words cut)
- at the same time -> simultaneously (3 words cut)
6. Replace Future Tense with Present Simple
If you used future tense in your abstract, you can cut a word by changing it to present simple.
- The paper will argue… -> The paper argues… (1 word cut)
7. Check for Unnecessary Abbreviations
Many people automatically provide both a term and its abbreviation – whether an acronym or an initialism – even when the term appears only once in a text. However, the point of using an abbreviation is not having to repeat the full term, thus providing an abbreviation when the term is not used again within the abstract is redundant. Similarly, you should also check that you haven’t spelled out any commonly known abbreviations, such as DNA or the UN.
8. Check for Run-On Expressions
When listing examples, some people use both “including”, “such as”, or “e.g.” to introduce the list and an expression like “etc.”, “and so on”, or “and so forth” to conclude it. The latter – known as ‘run-on expressions’ – is redundant as words like “including” already signal to your reader that you are providing a few examples and not a complete list of items.
- The author uses many literary features, such as foreshadowing, metaphors, and so on. -> The author uses many literary features, such as foreshadowing and metaphors. (2 words cut)
9. Rephrase Sentences That Start with a Grammatical Expletive
If you have any sentences that begin with “There is/was”, “There are/were”, or “It is/was”, rephrase them to cut these words. You can read more about the grammatical expletive here.
- There was no significant correlation between x and y. -> No significant correlation exists between x and y. (1 word cut)
What to Keep in Mind When You Cut Words in an Abstract
This list is not meant to be exhaustive. It provides some of the techniques available to trim words when you are just a bit over the limit. I would suggest you go through your abstract with this list by your side, identifying places to remove a word or two. In my experience, if you do this several times, you will be able to reach your desired word count.
You don’t have to make every cut that is possible – decide case by case. Some substitutions work better than others. Some techniques can result in slight changes of meaning, so you will have to make sure the shortened version still accurately expresses what you wish to say. Some cuts can also make the writing more clunky. Cutting words, particularly at the phrase level, is an act of balance. If you are able to trim more words than you need, you may be able to undo some of the less smooth cuts.
Want Help with Cutting Words in an Abstract or Any Other Text?
Whether you are trying to meet a word or character limit in an abstract, a journal article, or a book manuscript, cutting words takes practice. Personally, I love the challenge of finding words to cut, but if it’s not something you enjoy doing, I will be happy to take over.