We can often save ourselves a lot of needless trouble by simply striking out
expletive constructions (and associated verbiage) before proceeding to restructure sentences into more concise -- and thus more easily readable -- alternatives. For example, from
The Beacon Handbook, by Robert Perrin:
"Eliminate expletive constructions whenever possible.
Expletive constructions (
it is,
here is,
here are,
there is, and
there are) provide patterned subjects and verbs that use words needlessly. Because sentences with expletives generally contain words that [we can use] as primary subjects and verbs, strike out the expletive construction and examine the remaining words. You may discover a more concise way to present the same idea by adding a verb, or you may only need to strike out a relative pronoun."
In the example sentence that began this thread, we can immediately strike out the expletive construction and its accompanying relative pronoun (i.e., "this
is ... that") saving three unnecessary words in the process. Then, we should consider -- again from
The Beacon Handbook, that:
"Some phrases -- such as
in my opinion,
I believe,
it seems, and
I suppose -- add very little meaning to a sentence. Because readers expect to find writers' opinions and educated guesses in writing, such phrases serve no real purpose."
So, now we can strike out the "I think" from the example sentence, saving two more unnecessary words. This leaves us with:
"Precisely at this point, other writers in this area have overlooked a possibility."
Without even mentioning E-Prime or General Semantics (if even aware of the subjects in the first place) most English grammar-and-usage references advocate eliminating many
be-form inflections on the basis of clarity and conciseness alone. Generally, the fewer words a reader needs to process, the sooner he or she can determine if the sentences in question make any sense.
Additionally, and with no mention of E-Prime or General Semantics,
The Beacon Handbook also recommends:
"When possible, eliminate
to be verbs [i.e.,
be-form inflections] in favor of stronger ones. Many words in English have several forms. For instance [we call]
maintain ... a verb,
maintenance ... a noun, and
maintaining ... a gerund. Using these word modifications wisely can reduce the number of words in your sentences. To achieve conciseness in this way, look closely at sentences using
to be in any of its forms [i.e.,
be-form inflections]. If possible, transform the words following the [
be-form inflection] into a more forceful verb and reduce the number of words in the sentence."
Following the above, generally accepted guidelines goes a long way towards achieving at least some E-Prime objectives. Achieving the full range of E-Prime effectiveness, however, requires a deeper appreciation of General Semantics as well a determined committment to put the principles of
non-Identity,
non-Allness, and
Self-Reflexiveness into daily practice. Every formulated sentence and paragraph counts, therefore, either to replace a bad semantic habit with a better one or to go on reinforcing unreflective error.