by Mark Nichol
Below are phrases in which a form of “to be” plus an
adjective (or a preposition and a noun) and, often, a preposition can easily be
replaced by a simple form of the verb (occasionally accompanied by a
preposition), resulting in a more concise statement:
1.
Before: “She is able (or unable) to think for herself.”
After: “She can (or cannot) think for herself.”
2.
Before: “This rule is applicable to both scenarios.”
After: “This rule applies to both scenarios.”
3.
Before: “They are authorized (or empowered) to speak on our
behalf.”
After: “They may speak on our behalf.”
4.
Before: “The company is benefited by this policy.”
After: “The company benefits from this policy.”
5.
Before: “The agreement is binding upon both parties.”
After: “The agreement binds both parties.”
6.
Before: “The compound is derived from a chemical reaction.”
After: “The compound derives from a chemical reaction.”
7.
Before: “We are desirous of your reply.”
After: “We desire your reply.”
8.
Before: “She is in agreement with us.”
After: “She agrees with us.”
9.
Before: “He will be in attendance at the event.”
After: “He will attend the event.”
10.
Before: “Their behavior is indicative of what you can expect
from them.”
After: “Their behavior indicates what you can expect of
them.”
11.
Before: “He is in error in his account of the incident.”
After: “He errs in his account of the incident.”
12.
Before: “It was in existence at that moment.”
After: “It existed at that moment.”
13.
Before: “She is influential on his artistic style.”
After: “She influences his artistic style.”
14.
Before: “I am in possession of some incriminating evidence.”
After: “I hold some incriminating evidence.” (In this case,
“I possess . . .” in place of “I am in possession of . . .” would imply
ownership, not temporary possession, which is what the original sentence
implies.)
15.
Before: “My colleague is in receipt of the document.”
After: “My colleague received the document.”
16.
Before: “The mechanism will soon be operative.”
After: “The mechanism will soon operate.”
17.
Before: “The company was in violation of several
regulations.”
After: “The company violated several regulations.”
18.
Before: “The committee was productive of a thorough report.”
After: “The committee produced a thorough report.”
19.
Before: “This advertising campaign will be effectively
promotive of the product.”
After: “This advertising campaign will effectively promote
the product.”
20.
Before: “We are supportive of your efforts.”
After: “We support your efforts.”
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