---
title: "Precision and Economy"
description: "Say more in fewer words: choose the exact verb and noun, drop intensifiers doing no work, and cut any phrase whose removal costs nothing."
canonical: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/precision-and-economy-mt_6IiH44N01F
source: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/precision-and-economy-mt_6IiH44N01F.md
retrieved: 2026-09-12
---

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# Precision and Economy

Say more in fewer words: choose the exact verb and noun, drop intensifiers doing no work, and cut any phrase whose removal costs nothing.

Subject: English · Area: Writing Composition · Ages 14 to 16
Page: https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/precision-and-economy-mt_6IiH44N01F

## Ready when they can

- Replace a weak verb plus adverb with one exact verb
- Cut a tenth of a draft's words without losing any meaning
- Catch vague nouns (thing, aspect, situation) and name what is actually meant

## Lesson: Shorter, sharper, exact

Say more with less by picking the exact verb and noun. The terrier bolted across the yard beats the dog ran through the yard, with no extra length. One right word already carries the meaning you want.

**Example.** An evil duck greedily gobbling stale bread shows how modifiers sharpen a picture: evil hints at motive, stale tells you it is not about taste, and greedily shows the fight for crumbs. Exact words remove all guessing.

Trade every weak verb plus adverb for one exact verb. Cut roughly a tenth of your draft and check that nothing was lost. Hunt down vague nouns like thing, aspect, and situation, and name what you actually mean.

**Tip.** Read each sentence and ask what each word earns. If removing a phrase costs nothing, remove it. Shorter and sharper wins whenever the meaning survives intact.

**Recap.** Choose exact words, cut what earns nothing, and name everything plainly.

## Practice

8 questions on this page, each with its working shown.

## Needs first

- [Sentence Craft for Rhythm and Emphasis](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/sentence-craft-for-rhythm-and-emphasis-mt_4opgg-pdsr)
- [Academic Vocabulary](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/academic-vocabulary-mt_OLwNsTI6C7)

## Opens up

- [Paragraph Shape and Deliberate Breaks](https://lightmysky.com/learn/english/paragraph-shape-and-deliberate-breaks-mt_3C7NH2XOkg)